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RHOP

Physical Therapy

Options

The Rural Health Opportunities Program (RHOP) currently has options in clinical laboratory science (medical technology), dental hygiene, dentistry, medial technology, medicine, nursing, pharmacy, physical therapy, physician assistant, and radiography. The information contained on this page pertains only to physical therapy. For information on the other options, make a new selection from the Health Professions options page, call 888-293-2293, or email hpoffice@csc.edu.

Who Can Apply

To be eligible for RHOP, the applicant MUST:

1. Be a rural Nebraska resident (Omaha and Lincoln areas are excluded).
2. Be a Nebraska high school graduate.
3. Apply to only the Chadron State College OR Wayne State College RHOP program.
4. Be committed to practice in a rural Nebraska area.
5. Be enrolled at CSC for the entirety of their discipline guidelines.
6. If a nontraditional student: must be willing to begin their work at CSC as a freshman, regardless of previous education.

December 1 Deadline

Applications must be completed on-line, printed & together with three letters of recommendation, a copy of ACT scores, and transcripts submitted via mail to the Chadron State College Health Professions Office. It is the applicant's responsibility to verify a complete application prior to the December 1 deadline. Click here for an application.

Program Characteristics

Four Years of study at Chadron, resulting in the participant earning a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Human Biology, followed by three years of physical therapy education at UNMC College of Allied Health are required. Upon successful completion of physical therapy school, UNMC will award the student the Doctor of Physical Therapy degree. The application of college credit earned through previous college work, CLEP or high school courses for college credit under an Advanced Placement curriculum, will be determined on an individual basis.

Selection Guidelines

Numerous factors are a part of the selection process. For the Rural Health Opportunities Program, special consideration will be given to applicants who:

• Want to become physical therapists.
• Demonstrate academic potential.
• Are from rural areas of Nebraska.
• Are committed to returning to rural areas of Nebraska to practice.

Interviews

Interviews will be approximately 30 minutes in length, informal, and conducted by faculty and administrators from UNMC and CSC. The interviewers are interested in learning as much as possible about the interviewee, and in answering any questions he/she may have regarding Chadron State College, the University of Nebraska Medical Center, or the Rural Health Opportunities Program. The interviews are held on the CSC campus. Each person interviewed will receive a letter stating the specific time and location for the interview.

Final Selection

RHOP Positions: Up to four applicants will be selected to fill the positions in the program for the next class.

Alternate Positions: Up to four applicants will be selected as alternates. Only alternates will be allowed to fill any vacancies that may develop in this class. Those students receiving alternate status will maintain this status as long as they enroll at Chadron State College, maintain the standards set forth in the RHOP guidelines, and follow the prescribed curriculum.

All applicants will be notified of their status as soon as possible.

Career Promotional Activities

Exposure to the world of medicine and rural health care is an important objective of the pre-physical therapy curriculum at Chadron State College. These are some activities in which the student will participate: 

• Attend credit and non-credit UNMC conducted videoconferences and classes.
• Develop a professional association with one or more practicing physical therapists.
• Visit the University of Nebraska Medical Center for tours and seminars.
• Visit, work, or volunteer in health care settings.
• Participate in on-campus activities for health professions students.

Progress Evaluation

Course Work

• Follow the specific curriculum designed for this program.
• Complete courses in a timely manner in order to enter the professional program as scheduled.
• Send a copy of their grade report at the end of each semester/session to the UNMC Physical Therapy Program.

Program Standards

• The student’s overall Grade Point Average (GPA) must be at or above a 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
• The student must achieve a grade of "B" or higher for all science and mathematics course required in the program of study.
• Should a student’s performance fall below either of the program standards, he/she will be placed on academic probation. The student must meet with the pre-physical therapy advisor to determine a recovery program. Probation must be cleared by the Health Professions Director in conjunction with the UNMC program director prior to the last semester at CSC. Any student not clearing probation in a proper and timely manner will be dismissed from RHOP.

Journal

Each student is required to keep a journal of his or her professional activities and experiences at CSC. The journals will be turned in to the CSC Health Professions Office at the end of each semester.

Benefits of the Program

If selected as a participant in the program, each student will:

• Receive early admission to the Physical Therapy Program at the University of Nebraska Medical Center School of Allied Health Professions when the student begins the pre-physical therapy curriculum at Chadron State College.
• Follow the specific curriculum at CSC, which will prepare the student for the three years at UNMC.
• Have the opportunity to fulfill the majority of clinical education requirements in western Nebraska.
• Have the opportunity to participate in special professional activities while at CSC.
• Have the opportunity to become a practicing physical therapist.

For course work requirements while at CSC please see the degree programs page.