| FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is there a special undergraduate major I should pursue for physical therapy?
You can choose to pursue the FIU Bachelors in Health Sciences Pre PT track which leads into the FIU Physical Therapy Doctorate program. This major ensures you take all the required pre requisite courses needed to make application into the PT program. You will also be allowed to take some courses from the PT Doctorate program in your undergraduate coursework.
However, any undergraduate major is acceptable for entrance as long as you have completed the required pre requisite courses. Common majors pursued by successful applicants are Health Sciences Pre Physical Therapy, Biology, Exercise Science, Health Education, Athletic Training, and Psychology
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What are the pre requisite courses needed to apply to Physical Therapy at FIU?
Go to PT Admission Requirements for further information.
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Can I make application to FIU Physical Therapy while I am still completing my pre requisite courses?
Yes, Most certainly. Just make sure you include copies of your registration for the required courses or a letter explaining your plan to complete all pre requisite courses prior to starting the Doctorate program in the Fall semester.
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Is there a GPA requirement?
The applicant should have a minimum of a "B" average in upper level work, or a graduate degree from an accredited institution.
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What are the costs of the DPT program?
Click here for tuition information.
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Do you offer financial assistance?
Yes, limited financial assistance is available.
The Department participates in all the Financial Aid programs offered by the University. Go to the FIU Financial Aid Office for further information.
The Department of Physical Therapy does have a small number of scholarships for currently enrolled students and, when funded, participates in the federal government's Scholarships for Disadvantaged Students (SDS) program. Go to PT Scholarships for further information.
In addition, the Department has a small number of graduate assistantships which offer a stipend and tuition waiver. The number of assistantships allocated for fluctuates each academic year but ranges from 5-10 assistantships.
Assistantships are distributed on the basis of merit, with the matching of the assistant's skills and the specific teaching and research needs of the department.
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Can I go part time in the DPT program?
The DPT Program in Physical Therapy is designed to be a full time professional program. The program of studies includes 113 credits of didactic and laboratory training. and requires 9 consecutive semesters of full-time study. A part time program of study can be discussed on an individual basis, but is generally strongly discouraged.
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How long does it take to become a Physical Therapist?
The Professional DPT in Physical Therapy program of studies includes 113 credits of didactic and laboratory training, and requires 9 consecutive semesters of full-time study. Upon completion of this program, students will earn a Doctorate in Physical Therapy (DPT), and will be eligible to apply for licensure as a Physical Therapist anywhere in the United States and several other jurisdictions.
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- Yes. The Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT) provides a national licensure examination in physical therapy. You must apply for licensure to take the examination in the state in which you desire to practice physical therapy. Upon successful completion of the licensure application and examination, you will obtain licensure from the individual state. You must be licensed to practice physical therapy.
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- NO. As of March 2005, the GRE is no longer required for application and admission into the Physical Therapy Program at FIU.
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40 hours of observation, employment, or volunteer work in physical therapy (or approved substitution) are required.
What is the deadline for admissions into the PT program?
Application Deadline: January 15, 2008
The Physical Therapy supplemental application package must be mailed or
delivered no later than January 15, 2008
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No, letters of recommendation are not required. However, if you feel the letters of recommendation help the Admissions Committee better understand your full dimension as an applicant, feel free to include them.
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We are happy to provide one-on-one academic advising to prospective applicants. Click here to contact an advisor.
The American Physical Therapy Association provides information about careers in physical therapy. http://www.apta.org
Information on the application requirements and process is on the FIU Physical Therapy web page. http://chua2.fiu.edu/physicaltherapy Click on Professional Entry Level and then instructions.
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