First accredited as a bachelor's program in 1993, the department of physical therapy is dedicated to providing society with physical therapists who engage in the art and science of physical therapy with a Christian worldview. Situated in its own 40,000-square-foot facility just off the main campus of SBU in the Warren B. Davis Family Physical Therapy Center in Bolivar, Missouri, the department of physical therapy has become a premier Christian, entry-level doctorate program with a healing mission, training clinician generalists who are prepared to provide physical therapy services for a diverse population in an evolving society and health care environment. With opportunities to learn and serve, students participate in a dynamic 33-month program, learning from leading and diversely specialized professors before venturing into an in-depth clinical rotation across the county. The program, through its Global Health Outreach, provides medical care for underserved communities across the world with short-term mission opportunities for students, professors, and PT professionals. The program is fully accredited by the Commission for Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE).

Outcomes

Not only are service and mission pillars for our doctoral program, we draw from a tradition of success. With a 99% graduation rate and 96% board pass rate, our graduates go on to serve communities across the globe with 100% job placement.

Mission Opportunities

Every year, through the Global Health Outreach, current students, alumni, and other PT professions travel across the world to work in underserved communities, providing PT services. This is an incredible opportunity to integrate clinical knowledge in a real way and be mentored by professors and professionals. Teams have traveled to Kenya, Russia, Peru, El Salvador, Brazil, Haiti, and East Asia.

Apply

Our complete application can be accessed through PTCAS (www.ptcas.org) including a supplemental essay. With one of the most objective scoring models, the breakdown is:

30% Prerequisite GPA
30% GRE
15% 3 References
8% Overall GPA
8% Preference Points
5% Essay
4% Observation

Requirements

The following requirements must be met before being admitted to the physical therapy program (courses in progress during semester applying must be documented):

1. Completion of a baccalaureate degree.
2. Documented experience/observation in physical therapy. Up to 40 hours will be counted. Variety of experience is recommended.
3. Completion of graduate records exam (GRE).
4. Completion of the following courses with a minimum of a 3.0 prerequisite GPA and at least a "C" in each. Prerequisites should not be taken pass/fail. Course equivalencies must be approved.
   -General Chemistry* - two semesters each with lab
   -General Physics* - two semesters each with lab
   -Biology* - (human or animal-based biology, anatomy, and physiology) three total semesters  with lab
   -Statistics - one course (cannot be taken in an kinesiology or exercise science department)
   -Psychology - any two courses (excluding psychological statistics)
   -Medical terminology is required with a "B" or higher grade.
   -Pathophysiology and exercise physiology courses are strongly recommended.
   *Courses need to be in sequence from a science-based department within the last 7 years from anticipated start date.
5. Minimum of a 2.75 overall GPA (for all previous coursework or highest degree attained). Average competitive score is a 3.50.
6. International students need to contact the department or consult the SBU catalog for additional requirements, including the TOEFL.

Location

SBU is situation in Bolivar, MO, with a population a little over 10,000, 25 miles north of Springfield, MO. Cost of living is markedly lower compared to most cities across the country and sits between Stockton and Pomme de Terre Lakes.