Prerehabilitation Sciences Advisor Prerehabilitation Sciences Curriculum Clemson University College of Agriculture, Forestry and Life Sciences School of Animal, Biomedical and Biological Sciences Department of Biology Instruction and Agricultural Education

The following is an attempt to answer some of the questions frequently asked of the Prerehabilitation Sciences Advisor. Please feel free to call (864.656.3829) or write: (E-mail: ragrc@clemson.edu) or

Initially, the interested student should contact the Rehabilitation Unit at a local hospital or clinic, express an interest in the field, and ask that to be allowed to observe a Physical or Occupational Therapist in action. Documented observation by potential students is a prerequisite for most, if not all, Rehabilitation Sciences programs. Practicing physical therapists had to observe also, at least the more recent graduates did, so they are usually agreeable to this request. The Director of Rehabilitation Services at a Rehabilitation Unit should be sympathetic to a student's request to begin the observational experience component of a Prerehabilitation Sciences Program. This experience will not only provides some contacts in the field, but an increasing number of students are finding rehabilitation departments that will help support their education in return for an agreement to work there after licensing.

State supported Rehabilitation Programs must award the majority of class positions to state residents. At the Medical University of South Carolina, the class size is usually 70. Of that number, 55 positions are offered to state residents and fifteen to out-of-state residents. Although this is a common situation, a growing number of state supported schools are accepting no out-of-state applicants. It is possible to gain South Carolina residency status while pursuing an education at Clemson. The Office of Undergraduate Studies provides residency information for those interested in this option.

The number of years that a Rehabilitation Sciences program requires depends on the type of program and the school. The Rehabilitation Sciences Program in the College of Health Professions at the Medical University of South Carolina currently offers M. S. degrees in Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy or Communication Sciences and Disorders after three years of study there. Any one of thiose programs together with the three-year Clemson prerequisite curriculum amounts to a 6-year commitment. Although MUSC no longer offers the Baccalaureate degree in PT or OT some professional schools still do. Like MUSC, more and more schools of rehabilitation sciences are offering the Master's Degree as the entry level degree, but unlike MUSC are also requiring a baccalaureate degree for admission.

The Prerehabilitation Sciences program at Clemson is not a degree granting curriculum; although Clemson will award, under certain conditions, the degree of Bachelor of Science in Preprofessional Studies to a student who has completed the first year of a Prerehabilitation Sciences curriculum after completing a minimum of 90 approved semester credit hours at Clemson. Preprofessional Studies degree applications are available in the student records office. Preprofessional Studies degree applications are available in the student records office. Clemson's Prerehabilitation Sciences curriculum was established to help insure that the prerequisites for application to the Physical Therapy program at MUSC are met. (Requirements for most Physical Therapy schools are fairly similar, but, if a student is interested in a school other than MUSC, as many are, she or he should obtain a catalog from that school so that progress in fulfilling the requirements there can be monitored.) MUSC requires completion of the junior year or approximately 90 semester hours at an institution of higher learning. The enclosed curriculum lists the required courses for the first two years here. The third year is required by MUSC to obtain additional training in Humanities (Art, Religion, Music, Drama, Education, Philosophy, Speech) and Social Sciences (Anthropology, History, Economics, Political Science, Sociology, Psychology) because medical school will provide a full load of science courses.

Since there is now a three year study requirement, all students that enter the Prerehabilitation Sciences curriculum here are asked to select a degree granting major, and transfer to that major by the beginning of the junior year. This is done in the event that the first application to a Physical Therapy program is unsuccessful (admission to all Physical Therapy programs is competitive and under the present environment, very much so), the student may continue working toward a degree for the senior year. There is no limit to the number of applications that may be made. Also, the acquisition of a baccalaureate (bachelor's) degree is considered a plus by MUSC, and graduates are ranked higher during the initial screening. Beyond that, a degree opens the schools with graduate level degrees in Physical Therapy to you. In most instances, application at the graduate level requires the Graduate Record Exam (GRE).

A major reason that the Rehabilitation Sciences field is so appealing and competitive is that it is a lucrative occupation. Starting salaries are around $35,000, midlevel about $50,000 and upper level around $75,000. Those who open their own clinics usually have 6-figure incomes, according to a recent survey of clinic operators in South Carolina. It also happens that physical therapy is the leading occupation for women in the United States today. That is no reflection on males who want to enter the field, approximately 45% of those who do enter are males. Is it likely that the field will fill anytime soon? There appears to be little likelihood. A recent survey showed 150,000 open positions. How about the possibility of increased class sizes or more Rehabilitation Sciences programs to handle the demand for training? That's a difficult question to answer. Certainly, if resources are made available (money, space, equipment and talent) it would appear that the number of programs or the size of programs could increase. Realistically, most schools are experiencing severe budget crunches and there is more consolidation of resources than proliferation. A truly major problem, even given sufficient money and space to expand, is the lack of trained personnel to fill the teaching positions. All of this means that, in all likelihood, the competitive situation is not likely to change in the near future.

Starting with the Summer 1995, MUSC will use the following criteria to select students for their physical therapy class. The minimum overall GPA (OGPA) for applying to the physical therapy program has been raised from 2.50 on a 4.00 scale to 2.80. The applicant's OGPA to be used for consideration for admission will be computed on prerequisite courses only (90 semester hours maximum), which includes prerequisite electives. The computation will use all specifically stated prerequisites (i.e. chemistry, math, statistics, etc.) plus the electives totaling 32 semester hours which have the highest grades. Applicants may now obtain forgiveness from prerequisite grades by retaking courses. In this instance, the most recent grade will count for admissions consideration, and will replace the previous grades in the same college. The individual accepted will need to be able to transfer at matriculation at MUSC a minimum of 90 semester hours (or equivalent) to make the eligibility requirements for consideration for admission. He/she may, however, have less than 90 hours at the time of application. However, In order to be considered, the applicant must have completed at least 16 semester hours (or equivalent) of qualified hours in science prerequisites at the time of application. The key gradepoint average (KGPA) will be computed only on stated prerequisite courses taken in physics, chemistry, and biology (including anatomy and physiology). All other courses taken in physics chemistry and biology will be considered for inclusion in the elective category, and if counted, will be used to compute an applicant's OGPA. There is no minimum Key GPA (KGPA) specified for applicant consideration. The GRE (quantitative and verbal parts) is required of all applicants. No minimum scores are specified. In case of multiple test scores submitted, the highest composite score from a single test date will be considered. For 1996 and beyond, the ACT is no longer acceptable for satisfying the standardized test requirements. Profile points will be assigned to all applicants at the time of application review. Profile points will be awarded on the same scale for each applicant, and will be given for volunteer/observation experience in physical therapy (no specified number of hours required), college/university degree(s) received, and completion of PTA education. Also, profile points may be awarded in order to enhance enrollment diversity. Three references will be required. Ideally, one reference should be from a physical therapist who has observed the applicant during volunteer work. The other two references should be from persons who are knowledgeable about the applicant such as advisors, professors, occupational therapists, physical therapists, speech therapists, physicians, or employers. References will not receive formal weighting in the admissions process, but will be reviewed in each case of applicants being seriously considered for admission. A clearly negative reference may be grounds for denial of admission. The top ~100 applicants will be given; an interview. Each interviewee will write an essay on some topic specified by the Rehabilitation Sciences Program. The essay will be read by the Admissions Committee, and will be considered in the decision process. Occasional meetings with applicants may be requested at the discretion of the admissions committee. Any such meetings will be done for clarification purposes only, and in no case will any of the meetings be scored or receive formal weighting in the interview process.

The above criteria are weighted as follows in evaluating the applicant.

Overall GPA = 30 percent Key GPA = 30 percent standardized test composite score= 20 percent profile score= 20 percent

If you have additional questions, please call my office, 864.656.3829.

We welcome you to Clemson and encourage your participation as a Prerehabilitation Sciences student. Like most students you'll probably love it here. A beautiful climate (usually), a beautiful campus (always), bowl game sized crowds at every home game, an excellent academic atmosphere - social atmosphere also, and a chance to pursue an important occupation at a fine university

Prerehabilitation Sciences is a non-degree granting curriculum designed to meet the entrance requirements of the Rehabilitation Sciences program at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC). This program requires 90 semester hours of undergraduate coursework. In addition, the student must apply to MUSC for acceptance into the program. The requirements for other professional schools are similar (see advisor for specifics). The 2000 physical therapy class at MUSC had an average GRE of 997 and an average overall GPA of 3.38.

FIRST YEAR
Fall Spring Course Credit BIOL 103 4 CH 101 4 ENGL 101 3 PSYCH 201 3 *Math science requirement 3-5 Total 17-19 Course Credit BIOL 104 4 CH 102 4 ENGL 102 3 *Humanities requirement 3 *Statistics requirement 3 Total 17

SECOND YEAR
Fall Spring Course Credit PHYS 207 4 BIOSC 222 4 * Literature requirement 3 PSYCH 340 3 Hum. Or Soc. Sci. requirement 3 Total 17 Course Credit PHYS 208 4 BIOSC 223 4 *HLTH 350 3 CP SC 120 3 SPCH 150 or 250 3 Total 17

*THIRD YEAR
Work toward degree granting major or fill the year with humanities and social science for a minimum of 90 credit hours for the three years. (See advisor.) Students in the Preoccupational Therapy program must include PSYCH 483 (abnormal psychology).

*NOTES

Math: Select one of the following sequences: MTHSC 106 or MTHSC 102 and EX ST 301 or MTHSC 301. To register for MTHSC 102 or 106, entering students must present a satisfactory score on the Clemson Mathematics Placement Test or register in the first semester for MTHSC 103.

Literature: ENGL 202, 203, 204, 205, 206, 207, 208, or 209

If HLTH 350 (medical terminology) is not offered it may be taken during the second Summer term or AHS 104 or 102 may taken at a technical college.

In your third year you should acquire CPR certification from the American Heart Association BLS course for health professionals. You must have current CPR certification when you apply to professional school. The GRE general test and the GRE writing assessment are also required.

Humanities: Art and Architectural History, Education, Foreign Languages, Humanities, Literature, Music, Philosophy, Religion, Speech, Theater, Fine Arts

Social Sciences: Anthropology, Economics, Geography, History, Political Science, Psychology, Sociology

The prerequisites for the Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Communication Sciences and Disorders, and Physician Assisting Programs at MUSC can change without prior notice. Keep in touch with your advisor for changes in these programs.

The grade of "D" will not transfer. "D" in a required course means the Course must be repeated.