Admission Requirements

• Master of Science

Degree Requirements

• Master of Science

Mailing Address:
Department of Physical Therapy (MC 898)
1919 West Taylor Street
Chicago, IL 60612-7251

Campus Location: 456 AHSB
Program Code: 20FS1582MS
Telephone: (312) 996-7765
E-mail: aaruin@uic.edu
Web Site: http://www.ahs.uic.edu/pt/
Acting Head of the Department: Mary Keehn
Director of Graduate Studies: Alexander Aruin

The Department of Physical Therapy offers work leading to the Master of Science in Physical Therapy. Graduate study in physical therapy involves the investigation of questions related to how the body moves, how simple and complex motor skills are acquired and executed, and how therapeutic physical activity produces effects on physical performance under normal or abnormal neuromusculoskeletal conditions. Research in the field can be either basic or applied to practical clinical problems, and consequences of physical performance deficits on function and disability. Research areas include move-ment science, pediatrics, adult neurology, and rehabilitation.

Please refer to the Disability Studies section for a description of the PhD in Disability Studies jointly offered through the departments of Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, and Disability and Human Development.

Admission Requirements

Note: Until further notice, no new students will be admitted to this program. Contact the program directly for details.

In addition to the Graduate College minimum requirements, applicants must meet the following program requirements:

Master of Science

• Prior Degrees Entry-level professional degree in physical therapy.
• Grade Point Average At least 3.00/4.00.
• Tests Required GRE General. Applicants should have a combined verbal and quantitative score of at least 1000.
• Minimum TOEFL Score 550 (paper-based); 213 (computer-based); 80, with subscores of Reading 19, Listening 17, Speaking 20, and Writing 21 (new Internet-based TOEFL).
• Letters of Recommendation Three professional references are required.
• Personal Statement Required. The statement should address the applicant’s goals for graduate study and career development.
• Other Requirements Licensure to practice physical therapy (or eligibility for American Physical Therapy Association membership, if foreign-trained). Preference will be given to applicants with clinical experience beyond their professional degree.

 

Degree Requirements

In addition to the Graduate College minimum requirements, students must meet the following program requirements:

Master of Science

• Minimum Semester Hours Required 36.
• Course Work At least 12 hours must be at the 500-level. At least 12 hours must be in physical therapy. Students receiving 3 or more grades of C will be dismissed from the program.
• Required Courses: A graduate-level statistics course (e.g., SOC 401, BSTT 400); a research methods course (e.g., MVSC 500, NUSC 515); PT 501; and a movement science course from the following list: PT 510, 571, 572 (the last two are cross-listed as MVSC 571 and 572). A student registered full time must take PT 595.
• Electives: Choice of electives should be guided by the area of interest, in consultation with the advisor.
• Comprehensive Examination Required; written.
• Thesis, Project, or Course-Work-Only Options Thesis required. No other options are available.
• Thesis: Students must earn at least 6 hours in PT 598.
• Other Requirements Students must complete at least one semester of full-time residency.