The field of physiotherapy is rapidly increasing because of the high demand for skilled physical therapists. Studying physiotherapy in the USA can bring numerous career benefits in your career pursuit. The USA is known for having some of the world’s top universities. They have quality standards of education as well as the resources to impact aspiring professionals with the right knowledge. Additionally, the curriculum of physiotherapy is aligned with the market needs. Therefore, you will learn the required skills that are needed for practising as a professional physiotherapist.
Physiotherapy is one of the most sought-after courses in the USA. Most students worldwide choose to study physiotherapy in the USA. As a result, studying physiotherapy in the USA can be highly competitive. Therefore, before you make your applications, you need to verify the requirements that are needed by your preferred university. You also need to verify that you have the right qualifications and meet the eligibility criteria to study with the university.
Each university has its unique admission requirements. However, this piece will walk you through the basic admission requirements that are needed for studying physiotherapy in the USA.
Requirements for Studying Physiotherapy in the USA
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Complete your Secondary Education
You must have completed your secondary education before you can study physiotherapy in the USA. Additionally, you must have a high school diploma or equivalent with a minimum of 50% to be eligible for undergraduate physiotherapy programs in the USA.
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Transcripts and GPA
You must provide official transcripts from your high school. This transcript should include grades from all classes taken. Additionally, you should submit your transcript in English.
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Standardized Test Scores
Most universities in the USA require students to take either the SAT or ACT exam. However, this is not compulsory for all universities. These exams are used by universities to determine a student’s eligibility for admission.
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English language proficiency
You will be required to write an English Language proficiency test if English is not your first language. Additionally, you must show proof of your English proficiency test. The minimum score for the IELTS is 7.0 with no sub-band lower than 6.5. Additionally, the minimum score for TOEFL iBT is 80 to 100.
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Letters of Recommendation
You must submit a recommendation letter while making your application. Some universities may require one or more letters of recommendation from professionals such as teachers, guidance counsellors, or other individuals who can attest to your academic ability and potential. Therefore, you should not use a recommendation letter from a friend or family.
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Personal Statement
Some universities might require you to write a personal statement. This personal statement or essay will explain why you want to study physiotherapy and how your academic and personal background has prepared you for this field of study. Additionally, each school will have a required number of words that you should. Therefore, you need to verify from the school’s website before you apply.
Requirements to Obtain a Masters Degree in Physiotherapy in the USA
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Bachelor’s Degree
You must have a bachelor’s degree in a related field from an accredited institution. Additionally, some universities may also accept applicants with degrees in other fields. However, you must complete additional coursework or prerequisites before starting the master’s program.
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Transcripts
You must submit official academic transcripts of your bachelor’s degree. This transcript must contain all your courses and grades that you have studied. Additionally, this transcript must be an official one and it must be written in English. Furthermore, most universities require a minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher, but the requirements may vary depending on the specific university and program.
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Standardized Test Scores
As part of their application, some universities may ask applicants to take the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or the GMAT. Additionally, these tests are used by universities to determine a student’s eligibility for admission and to assess a student’s readiness for graduate-level study. Therefore, your score for the GMAT ranges from 600 to 740 while the score for the GRE is 318 to 329.
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Letters of Recommendation
You need to have at least three recommendation letters. It should consist of 2 academic and 1 professional letter. These letters must be obtained from an employer or a previous lecturer. Therefore, you should not use a recommendation letter from a friend or family.
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Personal Statement
You must submit a personal statement or essay outlining why you want to pursue graduate studies in physiotherapy. Additionally, you should explain what your career aspirations are, and how your academic and personal history has prepared them for this field of study.
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English Language Proficiency
You need to write an English Language proficiency test if English is not your first language. Additionally, you must show proof of your English proficiency test. You can use tests such as IELTS or TOEFL. The minimum score for the IELTS is 6.0 while the minimum score for TOEFL is 80.
How to Apply
You can apply to the school of your choice through the school’s website. Most schools in the US will require you to pay an application fee before submitting your application. The application fee varies between 50 -100USD. You can apply for an undergraduate program as well as a postgraduate program. Additionally, you need to verify each school’s requirements before filling out the application form.
Duration
The duration for studying physiotherapy in the USA varies based on the type of program and the University. A bachelor’s degree in physiotherapy lasts for four years. However, a master’s degree lasts for 1-2 years.
Tuition Fee
The tuition fee for studying physiotherapy varies for international students as well as the particular university. Generally, the average amount for studying physiotherapy ranges from $20,000 to $60,000 per year.
Physiotherapy Schools in the United States
- University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts
- University of Washington – Seattle, Seattle, Washington
- University of Michigan – Ann Arbor, Michigan
- Stanford University, Stanford, California
- Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
- University of California – San Francisco, San Francisco, California
- Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts
- University of Florida, Gainesville
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, NorthCarolina
- Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois
- University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- University of Wisconsin – Madison, Madison
- Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut
- University of California – Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
- Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
- Columbia University, New York City, New York State
- Washington University in St Louis, St. Louis, Missouri
- Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, Rochester, Minnesota
- University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
- University of Illinois at Urbana – Champaign, Champaign, Illinois
- Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania
- University of Utah, Salt Lake, Utah
- Duke University, Durham, North Carolina
- Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon
- Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
- Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio
- Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
- University of South Carolina – Columbia, Columbia, South Carolina
- University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia
- Brown University, Providence, Rhodes Island
- Cornell University, Ithaca, New York State
- Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, North Carolina
- University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut
- University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona
- Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan
- Tufts University, Medford, Massachusetts
- New York University, New York City, New York State
- Indiana University – Bloomington, Bloomington, Indiana
- University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky
In Conclusion, studying physiotherapists in the USA can add greatly to your career pursuit. Most schools in the US can train professional physiotherapists. Therefore, if you are interested in studying this course, you need to make your preparations early. Additionally, you need to verify from the school’s website before you complete your application form. Feel free to reach out to us for further inquiries or assistance.
Good luck!