REGULAR ADMISSION – STUDENTS WHO WILL HAVE A BACHELOR DEGREE
University of Missouri
Department of Physical Therapy
106 Lewis Hall
Columbia, MO 65211-4250
(573) 882-7103
http://shp.missouri.edu/pt
GENERAL INFORMATION FOR APPLICATION
DOCTOR OF PHYSICAL THERAPY
Application materials must be received by JANUARY 24.
GRE scores are mandatory for all applications.
NOTE: TO GET ALL THE NECESSARY INFORMATION AND FORMS, VISIT EACH LINK AND PRINT THE
MATERIALS:
1. General Information
2. Core Required Courses
3. Application Form
4. Confidential Evaluation of Applicant (Recommendations) (two forms)
DO NOT COMPLETE THE APPLICATION UNTIL YOUR FALL SEMESTER FINAL GRADES HAVE
BEEN RECEIVED AND ARE INCLUDED ON THE ENCLOSED FORMS.
Make a photocopy of your completed application for your future reference.
 A non-refundable $25.00 departmental application fee is required. Please make checks payable to the
University of Missouri-Columbia and submit with your physical therapy application. There is a Graduate
School Application fee required for your application to the Graduate school, please see
https://app.applyyourself.com/?id=umc-grad
 The professional entry level Doctor of Physical Therapy degree at the University of Missouri is offered to
those accepted by the Department of Physical Therapy. Doctor of Physical Therapy degree recipients will
be eligible to test for physical therapist licensure in any state. **The University of Missouri Physical
Therapy Department offers an entry level educational program only. We do not offer postprofessional degrees. If students already have a degree in Physical Therapy/Physiotherapy, they
must pursue higher education at another university.

The following minimum requirements must be met prior to submission of an application:
1. Be able to complete a bachelor degree prior to summer session.
2. 3.0 cumulative grade point average in all completed core required courses, with the
minimum grade of “C” in these courses.
3. Overall GPA of 3.0 in the last 60 hours of completed and graded college coursework
4. A minimum of 40 hours of observation/volunteer work/employment in two different types of physical
therapy settings (ie. pediatric, outpatient, hospital, home health, rehab, etc.) under the supervision
of a physical therapist. The settings, dates, hours, and supervisor must be documented.
5. No more than two core required courses remaining to be completed in the Spring semester.
6. Submit departmental application and all other required information by January 24 th.
7. Application to the Graduate School should be completed by January 10 th at
https://app.applyyourself.com/?id=umc-grad

Core required courses may be completed at any accredited university or college, where appropriate
courses are available. See Core Required Courses for Admission to the DPT.

Prospective applicants to the Department of Physical Therapy whose native language is not English must
demonstrate near native English language ability on the TOEFL. Paper-based scores: Total Score 600,
minimum 55 in subscales (reading, listening, writing); Computer-based scores: Total Score 250, minimum
21 in subscales (reading, listening, writing); Internet-based scores: Total Score 100, minimum subscalesreading 20, listening 21, writing 17, speaking 26.
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
Specific information concerning educational costs should be obtained from the Admissions Office, 230
Jesse Hall, Columbia, MO 65211 (573-882-7786), or visit the web site at
http://web.missouri.edu/~forcash/ or http://prospectivestudents.missouri.edu/ Financial assistance
information may be obtained through the Office of Student Financial Aid, 11 Jesse Hall (573-882-7506) or
visit https://sfa.missouri.edu/ Scholarship information may be obtained from the American Physical
Therapy Association, 1111 N. Fairfax Street, Alexandria, VA 22314 (800-999-APTA) as well as Internet
and library resources.

Professional physical therapy courses begin with the 7-credit hour Gross Human Anatomy and 1-credit
hour Principles of PT course in the summer term. With the exception of clinical education, all professional
coursework is completed on the MU Campus.
 Clinical education is offered at intervals throughout the professional phase of the program. Students are
required to participate in clinical experiences in a variety of geographical locations, and should be
prepared to meet costs of travel and housing for 6 to 12 week periods.
 Drug Testing and Criminal Background Check Requirement: Due to current healthcare regulations
and University policy, students that test positive for illegal drugs or appear on a formal Government
Sanction List (e.g. Employee Disqualification List, Missouri Division of Family Services, Office of Inspector
General Exclusion) will not be eligible to complete the requirements for graduation from our program.
Drug screening and criminal background checks are required and must be on file with the PT department
during the fall semester of the first professional year.

Graduate student status: Individuals who have completed a bachelor’s degree will enter graduate school in
the Summer of their first year of professional coursework.

After entering the professional phase of the Physical Therapy Program, all students must earn a
minimum of 3.0 semester and cumulative grade point average, and achieve no grade below "C" in any
course. If the student does not achieve these levels of performance, the physical therapy faculty will
review the situation with the option to dismiss the student.
PREPARING YOUR APPLICATION:
The following "helpful hints" are offered, section-by-section to assist you in completing the application.
I.
Document your MU student number. If you attend college elsewhere, please leave this blank.
II.
Colleges attended: Include all colleges attended.
III.
Please record all degrees completed or anticipated on separate lines.
IV.
Calculate application GPA for last 60 hours of completed/graded college coursework and core required courses.
Calculate GPA by multiplying credit hours by honor points (“A” = 4; “B” = 3; “C” = 2; “D” = 1; “F” = 0), adding the
products and dividing by the total number of credit hours. Note: Do not use +/-‘s to calculate application GPA’s.
Do not include pass/fail courses as you count the last sixty hours. If 60 hours occurs within the middle of a
semester, the entire semester will be used in the calculation.
V.
Confidential Evaluation (Recommendations): The applicant must fill out the top and bottom portion of each
evaluation form. Distribute to ONLY two individuals: 1) one supervisor or employer AND 2) one college
professor (not two supervisors/employers or two teachers). If you have doubts about whom to ask, consult
an advisor. To ensure confidentiality, have each evaluator place the form in a sealed envelope, sign
across the seal, and then return the envelope to YOU. Submit the sealed envelopes with your
application packet. Your application will be incomplete without the enclosed evaluations.
VI.
The question about minority status serves to help the University track its performance in enrollment of a
diverse student body. The question about English as a native language helps us identify applicants that
must submit a TOEFL score.
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VII. The Curriculum Vitae (résumé) you attach to your application is very important in evaluating your
qualifications. Please organize the information as follows:
1. PT Observation: 40 hours minimum is required prior to application in two or more types of physical
therapy settings (i.e. pediatrics, outpatient, hospital, home health, rehab, etc.).Include: facility,
dates, physical therapist supervisors, type of setting, total hours at each site, phone number, and a brief
description of what you observed.
2. Education: high school from which graduated, and colleges attended; include dates
3. Employment: Include last five years
4. Volunteer/Service/Research Activities: volunteer activities (include last five years; describe your role)
5. Honors, Awards, Organizations: college or community honors, organization membership, offices and
special activities
6. Training and Certification: training or certification in health or related areas: CPR, First Aid, Lifesaving,
etc. include dates. If none, state “None”.
TRANSCRIPTS
MU Students - The Admissions Committee will obtain a transcript directly for applicants attending school
on the MU campus and who have completed a semester. It is the student's responsibility to assure that all
previous courses from other institutions are included on the MU transcript. You may obtain an academic
profile from MyZou to check it over for accuracy and completeness.
Non-University of Missouri-Columbia Students - You must have official transcripts of completed college
work sent directly to the Department of Physical Therapy/MU, 106 Lewis Hall, Columbia, MO 65211-4250
from every school attended. PLEASE BE SURE FALL GRADES ARE RECORDED PRIOR TO SENDING
THE TRANSCRIPTS. Official transcripts from other colleges previously attended may be submitted with
your application as long as it remains in a sealed envelope from that college.
THE TRANSCRIPTS MUST BE RECEIVED BY JANUARY 24th.
GRADUATE RECORD EXAM:
The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) official score must be submitted to the Department of Physical
Therapy by January 24th at the time of application. Plan to take the exam no later than December 15 th to
assure the results will be received before the deadline. For information regarding test dates and fees,
please visit GRE online at http://www.gre.org/. The institution code is R6875 and the department code is
0619.
VIII.
Using transcripts or grade reports, complete this page. Indicate courses you plan to take during the
winter/spring semester or next two quarter terms.
IX.
Please confine your answers to the spaces provided. Hand written responses are acceptable.
X.
Your signature and the date are required before your application is processed. Return the completed
departmental application with your Confidential evaluations (recommendations) in a signed and sealed
envelope to the Physical Therapy Admissions Committee, 106 Lewis Hall, University of Missouri,
Columbia, Missouri 65211-4250 by January 24th. All required materials must also be received by
January 24th.
DO NOT COMPLETE THE APPLICATION UNTIL YOUR FALL SEMESTER FINAL GRADES HAVE
BEEN RECEIVED AND ARE INCLUDED ON THE ENCLOSED FORMS.
Thank you for considering the University of Missouri-Columbia Physical Therapy Program.
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PROCESSING APPLICATIONS
The Admissions Committee will review and evaluate each applicant's packet when it is complete. The
applicant’s official GRE scores, pattern of academic accomplishment, exposure to the field, extra-curricular
activity, work experience, verbal expression, and recommendations are all-important in the process.
Applicants will be ranked and selected for interview. All who wish to be considered for admission should be
available for interview on the MU campus in mid to late February. When reporting for interview, please bring
a billfold-sized or passport-type photograph.
If you are not selected for an interview, you will be notified by mail. You may telephone the Department
Office if you have not received a response to your application by March 1st. Following interviews, those
accepted, alternates, and those not accepted will be notified by mail.
FINAL ACCEPTANCE TO THE MU PHYSICAL THERAPY PROGRAM DEPENDS UPON:




Subsequent acceptance by the University (non-MU students).
Earning "C" or higher grades in all remaining program core required courses incomplete at the time
of the application.
Validation of previous coursework through inspection of Official Transcripts (non-MU students).
Determination of English language proficiency by the Department.
MU STATEMENT ON NONDISCRIMINATION: The University of Missouri-Columbia does not discriminate on the basis
of race, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, age, disability, status as disabled veteran or veteran of the Vietnam
era, or sexual orientation.
AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT (ADA) : If you have special needs as addressed by the Americans with
Disabilities Act and need these materials in an alternative format, notify us at the address or telephone number at the top
of the first page of this General Information material. Reasonable efforts will be made to accommodate your special
needs.
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