Physical Therapy Articulation Information
What is an "articulation agreement"?
An articulation agreement is a formal arrangement between James Madison University and the school offering a graduate professional physical therapy degree whereby JMU students who have an interest in attending such schools may apply and be accepted into such a school so long as the student has met the minimal requirements for admission.
Does every JMU student who meets the minimal admission requirement qualify?
This depends on the arrangement between JMU and the physical therapy program. Some arrangements between JMU and the physical therapy program allow for an unlimited number of JMU students to be admitted into their program. Other schools will put a limit on the number of students.
Does this mean that only a certain number of JMU students will be accepted to a physical therapy school?
No. It means that a certain number of JMU students will be accepted to the physical therapy school under the agreement. For example, if the school's agreement allows for 5 JMU students to be admitted, once they have chosen the five from JMU who they feel most qualify those 5 students would be admitted under our articulation arrangement regardless of the pool of applicants that a school has that particular year. The remaining JMU students would compete with the rest of the applicants for acceptance into the physical therapy school.
Are there other types of articulations?
Yes. Some schools have established what is called a "3 + 3". This means that a student who excels at JMU in the first three years of school may be accepted into the physical therapy program in their fourth year. This allows for a student to graduate a year early. The student will receive a JMU undergraduate degree after the fourth year of school and a graduate degree from the physical therapy program upon completion.
How do I learn more about specific articulation agreements?
Click on the schools identified on this page and all of the details associated with each agreement can be viewed.
- Arcadia University (PA)
- Chatham College (PA)
- Drexel University (PA)
- Marymount University (VA)
- Old Dominion University (VA)
- Saint Francis University (PA)
- Shenandoah University (VA)
- University of Saint Augustine (FL)
When should I start planning my academic coursework and pre-professional preparation if I am interested in attending a school that has an articulation agreement with JMU?
If you are interested in attending PT school, you should begin your planning as soon as possible. You should be sure to contact an advisor who can direct you in taking the appropriate courses and inform you of the opportunities available at JMU for you to develop a pre-professional portfolio of experiences. If you are interested in the "3 + 3" model, it is imperative that you begin your planning process by communicating with both your JMU advisor and the program faculty at the physical therapy school you are interest in attending.
