Frequently Asked Questions
Physical Therapy
Q: What is a competitive undergraduate GPA for prospective students?
A: Most students that matriculate have an undergraduate GPA > 3.5.
Q: Does the program hold interviews? If not, why?
A: No, the program historically held interviews but we no longer do. We’ve found that other factors of a prospective student’s application are better indicators of potential success in the program.
Q: How many total applicants does the program get? How many students are admitted?
A: Generally we receive 400-500 applications/cycle. We have 62 seats in the program.
Q: Some schools have prerequisite courses that expire, does that apply at GVSU?
A: GVSU does not have an expiration date for prerequisites. Most of our applicants are one to two years removed from undergraduate programs with recent completion of prerequisites.
Q: Outside of the 50 shadowing hours, what other experiences should I be getting?
A: In addition to observation hours, GVSU values an application which provides evidence of extracurricular involvement, service, a growth mindset, and leadership.
Athletic Training
Q: What is the difference between an athletic trainer and a personal trainer?
A: Athletic trainers (ATs) are highly qualified, multi-skilled health care professionals who render service or treatment, under the direction of or in collaboration with a physician, in accordance with their education, training, and the state's statutes, rules, and regulations. As a part of the health care team, services provided by athletic trainers include primary care, injury and illness prevention, wellness promotion and education, emergent care, examination, and clinical diagnosis, therapeutic intervention, and rehabilitation of injuries and medical conditions. Athletic trainers are sometimes confused with personal trainers. There is, however, a large difference in the education, skillset, job duties, and patients of an athletic trainer and a personal trainer. The athletic training academic curriculum and clinical training follows the medical model. Athletic trainers must graduate from an accredited graduate program, and 70% of ATs have a master’s degree.
Q: How many hours and/or days per week will this degree take?
A: This program is designed to be two-years in duration which includes summer courses between the first and second year. Classes take place Monday-Friday in the first half of the day (typically 8 a.m.-1 p.m.) with clinical rotations taking place in the afternoon (typically 2 p.m.-6 p.m.). These hours are variable on any given day and depend on the site and the activities going on. In addition, you will have opportunities arise which will allow you to travel with certain teams, both during the week and over the weekend.
Q: Can I complete this degree while working full-time?
A: Full-time work is not usually possible due to the hour requirements within the program, but many of our students hold part-time jobs that are willing to work around student schedules.