Center for Excellence in Rural Health

Physical Therapy

The Program
The physical therapy program at the UK Center for Excellence in Rural Health in Hazard was designed to meet the need for physical therapists in rural Kentucky. The program is changing from the granting of Bachelor of Health Sciences (BHS) and Master of Physical Therapy (MSPT) degrees to the granting of a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree by the UK College of Health Sciences. Graduates are eligible to take state licensure examinations. The average annual salary for physical therapists nationally is about $58,000 and the need for additional therapists is expected to increase over the next 10-15 years.

The requirements of the program are divided into two phases: (1) The pre-professional phase (taken at the college of your choice) and (2) the professional phase (10 contiguous semesters taken at the UK Center for Excellence in Rural Health). For specific information about the prerequisite courses please go to: www.mc.uky.edu/PT/admissionRequirements.htm.

The pre-professional phase may be completed at any 4-year college or university (the first 2 years can be taken at any community college). It cannot be taken at the Center for Rural Health. During this phase, students take courses to satisfy the University Studies Program at UK, as well as required courses in biology (2), chemistry (2), physics (2), statistics (1), medical terminology (1), oral communication (1), and psychology (2). In order to be eligible for application prior to completion of a Bachelor’s degree, the student must meet the UK University Scholars criteria. The pre-professional phase must include a minimum of 90 semester hours and a student must reach senior status with an overall GPA of 3.2, and have a GPA of 3.5 or above in all PT prerequisites and major courses. Students must attend a 4-year college or university to have these upper division (junior and senior level) classes available. Students may also apply to the PT program after completion of a bachelor’s degree. In this case, the students are expected to have an overall GPA of 3.0, but a minimum of 2.75 is required. Questions concerning specific prerequisite qualifications are to be directed to the Office of Student Affairs.

The professional phase is taken at the Center for Excellence in Rural Health in Hazard. Students gain knowledge through coursework at the Center, and acquire experiences through a series of multi-week clinical rotations (most located outside the Hazard area).

Applications
The application process includes the submission of both University of Kentucky and Center for Excellence in Rural Health applications, college transcripts, GRE test scores, three letters of recommendation, and forms to document clinical experiences in physical therapy (50 hours of which are required for admission). The application process also requires a personal interview. The last MSPT class began the program in the summer of 2005 and will graduate in 2008. The first DPT class at the Center for Excellence in Rural Health began the program in August 2007 and will complete the curriculum in 2010. Applications are due February 1 of each year for the class that begins the following August. A bachelor's degree is not required for application if the student meets the University Scholars criteria. Students who do not meet the University Scholars criteria must complete a Bachelor’s degree to be eligible for acceptance.

The professional phase of the program at the UK Center for Excellence in Rural Health is restricted to those applicants who plan to practice in rural Kentucky. It is also limited to 16 students per year.

Applications for the next Hazard class are available beginning November 1, 2007. Printable applications will be available by going to: www.mc.uky.edu/pt/applicationPacket.htm

Tuition and Fees
Tuition is the similar to University of Kentucky graduate students. Throughout the 10- semester professional phase, students are enrolled as professional program students. There are no fees required of students at the Center for Excellence in Rural Health.

For further program information regarding the Lexington and Hazard campuses, please go to the following web site: http://www.mc.uky.edu/pt/default.htm.

Accreditation
The Physical Therapy Program at the University of Kentucky is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE).*
 
* The Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education
Department of Accreditation
American Physical Therapy Association
1111 North Fairfax Street
Alexandria, VA 22314
Telephone: 703-706-3245
Website: www.apta.org/CAPTE