Candidates for the physical therapy master's program must obtain a bachelor's degree, completing lower-level prerequisites with grades of C or better and earning B grades or better in upper-level prerequisite courses.
Candidates must have either paid or volunteer experience in rehabilitation, geriatrics or pediatrics at an acute-care or general hospital.
An application to the physical therapy department must be submitted along with a university application. Applicants must submit both Graduate Record Exam (GRE) results and CPR certification credentials. Scores on the GRE help determine admission.
Once candidates have completed three years of physical therapy curricula, candidates must complete a six-week clinical-experience program. During the last year of the program, candidates complete a classroom internship. A 24-week clinical-experience internship after the final academic year is also required.
Once all academic and internship requirements have been satisfied, candidates must pass the National Physical Therapy Examination. This exam tests the candidate's clinical application of foundation sciences; diagnosis, prognosis, interventions and therapeutic modalities; safety and professional roles. After passing the National Physical Therapy Exam, students are awarded a master's degree in physical therapy.