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PHYSICAL THERAPY

PROGRAM

 

BECOME A PHYSICAL THERAPIST AT SUNY/DOWNSTATE

   

         SUNY/Downstate College of Health Related Professions offers qualified MEC students preferred admission to an entry-level Master of Science program in Physical Therapy.  The Downstate program is a fully accredited 2 ½ year program of study that grants the combined degree, B.S. in Heath Sciences/M.S. in Physical Therapy, and qualifies its students to sit for the national licensing exam.

Anticipated starting salary range: $45,000 – $50,000

 

 

Tell me about the Profession
What  Career Opportunities would I have as a PT?

Tell me more about SUNY/Downstate's B.S/M.S. degree program in PT

What are SUNY/Downstate's minimum admission requirements?

What courses should I take at MEC?

Who should I contact at MEC?

 

 

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The Profession of Physical Therapy

"Physical Therapists work towards the restoration of function and the prevention of disability in individuals afflicted with disease, injury, or loss of body parts. Physical therapists evaluate neuromuscular, musculoskeletal, sensorimotor and related cardio-respiratory functions of the patient in a variety of work settings to establish guidelines for treatment. Treatment goals are accomplished by means of therapeutic exercise, functional training techniques, medical massage, mobilization, physical agents (heat, light, electricity and water) and use of specialized medical equipment. Patients are taught to use artificial limbs, braces, ambulatory aids and assistive devices that  compensate for physical disabilities".
(College of Health Related Professions1999-2000 Bulletin, SUNY/NY Health Science Center at Brooklyn, p9.)

For further information about the physical therapy profession, contact the American Physical Therapy Association at http://www.apta.org

 

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Career Opportunities as a Licensed Physical Therapist

Because of their broad range of skills, physical therapists have numerous opportunities as health-care professionals. Although they are commonly employed by hospitals or rehabilitation centers, therapists can also work in schools, ambulatory care centers, industry, or in private practice. Physical therapist often chose to specialize in areas such as orthopedics, sports physical therapy, cardiac care, burn and wound care,  and stroke rehabilitation.
The profession provides expression for the individual as a clinical practitioner, consultant, administrator, educator and researcher.

Students looking to learn more about career opportunities as a licensed Physical Therapist and other allied health careers are invited to attend yearly  Allied Health Career Seminars given at MEC by professionals practicing in their field.

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Downstate's B.S./M.S. Degree Program in Physical Therapy

In 1999, the Physical Therapy Program at SUNY/CHRP obtained approval from the New State Department of Education to grant a combined Bachelor of Science (B.S.) Degree with a major in Health Sciences and Master of Science (M.S.) Degree in Physical Therapy. The program was also granted interim accreditation for the B.S./M.S. curriculum from the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE).

Applicants first complete 80 credits of pre-professional (prerequisite) courses before applying to the Physical Therapy Program. Once admitted, students take 108 credits of physical therapy professional courses to complete the combined degree. Of the 108 credits, 56 are taken at the undergraduate level and 52 at the graduate level. As part of the curriculum, students conduct an independent research project and submit a thesis worthy of publication in a peer-reviewed journal. Elective courses are available for students who wish to acquire additional clinical and research skills. The program commences in June of each year and consists of eight semesters of full-time study.

For more specific information about the PT curriculum
at SUNY/Downstate go to
www.downstate.edu/CHRP/PT1/pages/pt1.htm

For information on the yearly INFORMATION SESSIONS/OPEN HOUSES given at SUNY/Downstate for PT and other allied health fields, visit http://sls.downstate.edu/admissions/chrp/sessions.html  

All meetings are held at:
The Health Science Education Building
395 Lenox Road 
Brooklyn

 

When you are ready to apply to the Downstate PT program click on the forms you need:

CHRP undergraduate supplemental application form
PT GPA calculation form
letters of recommendation form 

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General Biology with lab 8 credits      Anatomy & Physiology with lab 8 credits General Chemistry with lab 8 credits College Physics with lab 8 credits Pre-calculus 3 credits Statistics   3 credits  English (composition and literature) 6 credits Psychology (general, abnormal & developmental) 9 credits        Humanities elective  3 credits Other World History elective  3 credits Foreign Language  3 credits  6 Additional Humanities courses  18 credits      Click here for a Suggested Program of Study for MEC students who want to meet the Admissions requirement of the Physical Therapy Program at SUNY/Downstate Other requirements Students should have a minimum Grade point average of 3.2 A grade of "B" is expected in all science courses Acceptable score on the Allied Health Professions Admission Test (AHPAT) or Graduate Record Exam (GRE) Students should have taken a Computer Science course or show computer proficiency First Aid/CPR certification Volunteer Experience in one or more PT departments under the supervision of a licensed physical therapist (100 hour minimum)

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Students increase their chances for acceptance by participating in this program offered specifically for MEC students through the articulation agreement.

Dr. Margaret A. Carroll is the Biology Department’s Allied Health advisor and SUNY/CHRP Articulation Agreement Coordinator. 

 

Students should be Biology Majors seeking an A.S. in Science or B.S. in Biology degree and are required to meet with Dr. Carroll before applying for admission to SUNY/CHRP.

Dr. Carroll is located in room C-326C and can be reached by email    Students can also leave a written message in her mailbox in room C-326A.

 

For more information about SUNY/Downstate College of Health Related Professions visit their web site at
www.downstate.edu/CHRP/default.html

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Suggested Program of Study for MEC Students

 who want to meet the admissions requirement of the Physical Therapy program at SUNY/Downstate

 

Third Semester                              15 Credits			Fourth Semester                        16 Credits
BIO  202	General Biology II	4	ENGL 211	Introduction to Literature	3
BIO  152	Anat. & Phys. II	4	PSYC 101	Introduction to Psychology	3
MTH  151	Precalculus	4	HIST 200	Growth & Development Of the USA	3
HIST 101	World Civilization I	3	CHM 201	General Chem. I	4
			PHY  114	Basic Physics	3

 

Fifth Semester                               15 Credits			Sixth Semester                          16 Credits
PHY  205	Introduction to Physics I	4	PHY  206	Physics II	4
MTH  202	Calculus I	4	PSYC 301	Abnormal Psychology	3
PSYC 229	Human Development across the Life Span	3	SPAN 101	Beginning Spanish	3
CHM 202	General Chem. II	4	MTH 209	Elementary Statistics	4
			MUS 100	Introduction to Music	2

 

Seventh Semester                         16 Credits			Eighth Semester                         14 Credits
CS 100	Internet & Web Technologies	3	SSC  307	World Geography	3
PHIL 101	Introduction to Logic	3	PSYC 213	Social Psychology	3
CHM 303	Organic Chemistry I	4	CHM 304	Organic Chemistry II	4
SSC 101	Culture, Society and Change	3	BIO XXX	BIO Elective	4
SOC 101	Introduction to Sociology	3

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Notes

Medgar Evers students interested in a career as a Physical Therapist are invited to join the
Collegiate Science & Technology Entry Program (CSTEP).  

This program is funded through a grant from the NYS Education Department and is designed to increase the number of historically underrepresented and economically disadvantaged undergraduate students who successfully complete pre-professional education programs of study that lead to careers in Biology, Applied Biology, Medical and Paramedical fields.

CSTEP provides students with special courses, enrichment activities, tutoring services and opportunities for travel and paid research internships.

Students interested should contact Dr. Edward Catapane, CSTEP Program Director.

 

Students should apply to the Department of Biology for an A.S. Degree in Science upon successful completion of the courses listed in the first four semesters. Students who successfully complete the courses listed in the 

first 7 semesters, with a GPA of at least 3.2,

will have met all the prerequisite requirements, enabling them to apply for admission into the

SUNY/Downstate Physical Therapy B.S./M.S. Degree Program.

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