Texas A&M Career Center - Physical Therapy (2023)

Physical Therapists (PT) - provide care to people of all ages who have functional problems resulting from back and neck injuries(sprains, strains, fractures, arthritis,amputations),neurological disorders(such as stroke or cerebral palsy), injuries related to work and sports,and other conditions.

PTs are trained to use a variety of different techniques—sometimes called modalities—to care for their patients. These techniques include applying heat and cold,using assistive devices (such as crutches, wheelchairs, and walkers) and equipment (such as adhesive electrodes which apply electric stimulation to treat injuries and pain.)

What does a PT do? -The work of a physical therapistvaries by type of patient. For example, a patient experiencing loss of mobility due to stroke needs different care from that given to an athlete recovering from an injury. Some physical therapists specialize in one type of care, such as orthopedics or geriatrics, while some may work at preventing loss of mobility by developing fitness and wellness programs to encourage healthier and more active lifestyles.

Job components can include:

• Review patients’ medical history and any referrals or notes from doctors or surgeons.

  (Video) Texas A&M's NEW Student Rec Center

• Diagnose patients’ dysfunctional movements by observing them stand or walk and by listening to their concerns, among other methods.

• Set up a plan of care for patients, outlining the patient’s goals and the expected outcome of the plan.

• Use exercises, stretching maneuvers, hands-on therapy, and equipment to ease patients’ pain.

• Evaluate a patient’s progress, modifying a plan of care and trying new treatments as needed.

• Educate patients and their families about what to expect from and how best to cope with the recovery process.

• Science and Math- This GPR varies per program and is not usually as big a component as theother GPRs considered.

• Last 60 hours -Your last 60 graded hours. This is an indication that the programs arelookingat your grade trends (which need to be upward). It is a great opportunity to prove yourselfacademically especially if you had a rough academic start to your college career.

• Prerequisite GPR-The classes listed below are what most Texas programs require:

BIOL (111 and 112)
CHEM (119, 120, or 101/111, 102/112)
PHYS (201, 202) (junior college credit is acceptable)
Anatomy and Physiology (Biol or Bims route)
PSYC 107 & 307**Psyc 2314 is a common substitute for Psyc 307
STAT301,302, or 303

Specific Field Experience:Texas PT schools require a certain amount of hours, it varies from 40-100 hours; however, having just these required hours will not make you competitive. Competitive hours would be 250+. It is a good idea to start on these hours as a freshman or as soon as you can. PT programs also like to see that you have been in a variety of settings. Try to get experience ina hospital, a privately owned clinic,and/or a clinic or rehab center. These hours can be from working, volunteering, or shadowing.

Letters from evaluators:Every school differs in this regard. Some will want only evaluations filled out, some will want only letters, some will want both! The central application you fill out when applying will let you know what is required by each Texas program. Be prepared to ask a professor and two physical therapists. Stay in touch with all the PTs you spend time with you may need them to officially verify the time you spent with them when it is time to apply.

General Medical Experience​:Non-PT related medical experience will count, not as PT hours but it's something you can put on your application. It can include volunteering, working, or shadowing in hospitals, clinics and medical mission trips, anything not PT related.

Community Service:A non-medicalrelated type of community service is recommended, (soup kitchen, Habitat). PT programs want to know that you care about your community and have leadership skills.

What is the PTCAS? - In an effort to simplify the application process for prospective physical therapist (PT) students and to facilitate the admissions process for professional PT educational programs, the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) launched Physical Therapist Centralized Application Service (PTCAS).

PTCAS allows PT applicants to use a single web-based application and 1 set of materials to apply to multiple PT programs. PTCAS is a service of theAmerican Physical Therapy Association.

Applicants who apply through PTCAS submit a completed web-based application comprised of biographical data, institutions attended, academic course history, physical therapy observation hours, list of reference providers, work experiences, extracurricular activities, honors, professional licenses, and a personal essay. It is the applicant's responsibility to read and follow all PTCAS and program-specific instructions.

Application Timeline -The application process will start at the end of the spring/summer semester prior to your senior year of college. Most Texas programs use the Physical Therapy Central Application Service (PTCAS), which opens in July.Your applicationshould be submitted as close to the opening date as possible, early applications receive more attention and some programs have priority deadlines or early decision (PTCAS) deadlines.

Prior to Applying:

• Take prerequisite courses and meet with your PT advisor.

• Begin researching physical therapy programs.

• Get involved in extracurricular activities to acquire the skills and experience to stand out as an applicant, e.g., join a student org, volunteer, work or research activities.

• Prepare for and take the GRE.

• Attend various health professional school workshops, graduate school fairs, etc.

  (Video) Texas A&M - San Antonio Virtual Presentation 2020

• Gather Letters of Recommendations
  

The Application Cycle:

• You should have or be waiting for the release of your GRE test score. It is a good idea to take an earlier test dates and help avoid delays.

• Confirm deadline dates for individual PT programs.

• Begin to fill out and submit applications for PT programs. If applicable, contact PTCAS, or individual schools directly for specific questions that are not found in their instruction manuals.

• Have letters of recommendation sent to individual schools or PTCAS.

• PTCAS verifies primary application & begins releasing application to schools within four weeks of receipt.

• Continue to work, volunteer, etc.

Last Steps:

• Attend theHealth Professions Interview Workshopwith the PSA office.

• PT programs begin to interview candidates.

• When interviews are completed, schools inform applicants of admission status. Admissions decision processes and timelines vary between PTprograms.

​

​

• Angelo State University​, San Angelo

  (Video) Fish Camp Presentation - 2020

• Army-Baylor, San Antonio

• BU, Baylor University, Waco

• Hardin Simmons University, Abilene

• TSU, Texas State University, Round Rock

• TTUHSC, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Amarillo, Lubbock, and Odessa

• TWU, Texas Woman's University, Dallas, Houston

• UIW, University of the Incarnate Word, San Antonio

• UMHB, University of Mary Hardin-Baylor​, Belton

• University of St. Augustine Health Sciences, Austin and Irving

• UNT, University of North Texas, FortWorth

• UT Health, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio

• UTEP, University of Texas El Paso

• UTMB, University of Texas Medical Branch of Health Professions, Galveston

• UTSW, University of Texas Southwestern, Dallas