Physical Therapy: International Students

The MGH Institute has long supported international students in their pursuit of advanced education in physical therapy (also known as 'physiotherapy' in some countries). We have alumni who have come from twenty countries, including Argentina, Bahrain, Brazil, China, Denmark, France, Greece, India, Ireland, Iran, Italy, Japan, Nigeria, Packistan, Saudi Arabia, Sweden, Taiwan, Thailand and Turkey.

As part of the post-professional Master of Science or Certificate of Advanced Study programs, we offer International Student Seminars designed specifically for foreign-educated physical therapists.

These required seminars provide extra support in adjusting to the academic and health care culture of the United States, and communicating in English. The seminars assist students to successfully adapt to life in a new cultural setting as well as to the life of a graduate student, from writing papers, literature reviews, clinical documentation, delivering presentations in class to critically analyzing research articles.

International physiotherapists attending the MGH Institute also learn how to function as advanced, reflective physical therapy practitioners in a variety of settings, and as leaders for actively improving health care in the physiotherapist's home country. Included in the International Student Seminars are clinical observational experiences and a clinical performance assessment designed to determine the student's readiness for advanced clinical preceptorship experiences.

Course of Study

International physical therapy students in the Master of Science or Certificate of Advanced Study program take the specialty, elective and core courses with the other graduate students. International students continue on to the advanced preceptorship and thesis after successfully completing two semesters of coursework. These two semesters must include the International Student Seminars. International students must maintain a 3.0 GPA and successfully complete the clinical performance assessment.

Internationally trained physiotherapists who are licensed to work in the United States can also apply to the Transitional DPT Program which is designed for practicing therapists who are interested in obtaining a DPT credential.

Merit Awards

Merit awards are available for students enrolled full-time in programs of study exceeding 20 credits. These awards are based on academic achievement.

Graduate Assistantships

International physical therapy students studying in the US are eligible to be named graduate assistants after the first semester of study at the MGH Institute. Due to US visa and licensure restrictions, international students may not be employed outside of the MGH Institute.

Requirements for Applicants

Applicants who received their undergraduate physical therapy education in another country must demonstrate equivalency of a bachelor's degree. Transcripts and grades for prerequisite courses must be evaluated by an outside credentialing agency and forwarded to the Institute directly from that agency.

The TOEFL (Test for English as a Foreign Language) is also required for applicants whose native language is not English and for those individuals who did not receive a degree from an English-speaking university.

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