What is Physical Therapy?
Physical therapy has goals of preventing disability and pain; restoring
function and relieving pain; promoting healing; assisting with the adaptation
to permanent disability. There is a great variety of patients to whom we
can apply these goals: babies (newborn screens, birth defects, etc.); children
(fractures, sports injuries); adults (work injuries, heart attacks, back
problems); and older adults (stroke, hip fracture tumors, amputations).
How long is the program and how may students are accepted each year?
The program is three years in length and begins in September. We currently
accept up to 60 students each year.
Can I be accepted before I have completed all of my prerequisite courses?
Yes, you can be conditionally accepted, which means that before your
enroll in September, all prerequisite coursework must be successfully
completed. Although you do not have to have all required courses completed
when you apply, you should have completed at least one part of each sequence.
You should submit a complete proposed plan with your applications (form
included in application materials) outlining exactly where and when you
will complete any remaining required courses prior to beginning PT school
in September.
 Would
it be to my advantage to take more science courses than the minimum required?
Yes, especially in areas such as anatomy, kinesiology and physiology.
Even if you have As and Bs in required science courses, you could benefit
from additional coursework. If you have grades of "C" in your
science courses, you should definitely take additional science coursework
or repeat the required course in which you made a "C". Advanced
science courses included in the PT curriculum are difficult and students
must have a strong science background to be successful in completing these
courses.
I never took general biology, but my grades are okay in higher-numbered
biology courses? Do I have to take General Biology?
Yes, we require two semesters of general biology.
It has been over five years since I took some of my science courses.
Will I have to retake them?
Yes, probably. Science courses completed five or more years ago are generally
considered to be outdated. Since our objective is to ensure that once
admitted to this program you will be able to complete it, retaking these
courses and making grades of "B" or better will show the admissions
committee that you understand the information contained in the courses.
However, your new grades will be averaged with the "old" grade.
Successfully completing a higher level science course may also validate
out-of-date science courses.
I am not a Tennessee resident. What are my chances of being admitted?
We must give priority to Tennessee residents. Out-of-state students must have an exceptional good academic record to be considered.
What kinds of financial aid are available?
The Office of Student Financial Aid, located at 910 Madison Avenue #520,
Memphis, Tennessee 38163 (telephone 901.448.5568) can give you this information.
Additionally, a number of health care facilities, including hospitals,
have established scholarship/loan programs for PT students who agree to
work for them upon graduation. The PT program office has a list of these
facilities.
Can I work while going to physical therapy school?
"Yes". Blocks of time are available for employment because
of the way courses in the curriculum are arranged. However, experience
indicates that students who have part time jobs have more difficulty progressing
through the program than those who do not work.
Would it be to my advantage to complete a PTA program before applying
to PT school?
No, not unless you wish to work for a time as a physical therapist assistant.
The time required to complete a PTA program plus all the prerequisites
for the UT Health Science Center PT program would take at least four years
more years more than the time required to complete the prerequisites for
the UT PT program only.
Are there many job opportunities for physical therapists?
Yes! Although there are fewer jobs available than in the past, jobs are
available, not only in Tennessee but also nationwide. In 2003, beginning
salaries in Tennessee ranged from $45,000 - $50,000 per year depending
on location.
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