THE INDIAN ASSOCIATION OF PHYSIOTHERAPISTS GUIDELINES FOR RECOGNITION OF AN INSTITUTION FOR COMMENCING/CONDUCTING A MASTERS DEGREE PROGRAM IN PHYSIOTHERAPY

Preamble:

The Masters In Physiotherapy course has been proposed as a 2-year fulltime program leading to degree that
equips the student with analytical, evidence based learning skills. The program is generic in nature and has a
component of additional learning of one area leading to an elective in that area.
Psychosomatic aspects of training are a component through all the elective areas. Additional learning and
training in area of elective requires the 3rd year of training leading to a speciality in that area equivalent to
M.Phil or Doctorate in physiotherapy.

1. The Course

1.1 It is recommended that Institutions/Colleges get their Post-Graduate Training Facilities and Courses
evaluated by the IAP as soon as possible.
1.2 The course will be a regular full-time course of two years duration. During an academic year a candidate
enrolled in the programme shall not appear in any other Examination of the University enrolled in or any
other University.

2. Nomenclature

2.1 The course will be referred to as a Master’s in Physiotherapy (MPT/MPTh).
2.2 It is recommended that subjects in the following speciality areas be offered as electives:

• Musculoskeletal physiotherapy
• Neurological physiotherapy
• Cardiovascular-pulmonary physiotherapy
• Paediatric physiotherapy
• Community Physiotherapy
• Sports Physiotherapy

Note: From time to time additional electives in other speciality areas will be recommended.

3. Faculty/Student

3.1 The guide: student ratio should be such that the number of post-graduate teachers to the number of postgraduate
students admitted per year is 1:3.
3.2 For the proper training of the post graduate students there should be a limit to the number of students
admitted per year. The intake of students should not exceed a faculty/student ration of 1:3. The maximum
intake of an institution shall not exceed 15 students provided adequate faculty and infrastructure is
available.

4. Eligibility for Admission:

4.1 The candidate should have successfully completed a Bachelors degree in Physiotherapy from a recognised
Institution.
4.2 It is desirable that applicants should have worked as a qualified physiotherapist for at-least one year in
a Hospital/Institution prior to admission to the post-graduate course.

5. Admission:

5.1 Admission to the MPT programme will be on the basis of a competitive entrance examination and in
keeping statutory body, government and university norms.

6. Minimum requirements for a post-graduate Teaching Centre:

6.1 An Institute/College desirous of commencing a Masters programme in Physiotherapy must have an
already existing full-time undergraduate programme in Physiotherapy and should duly be recognised by
the IAP. Furthermore, the first batch of undergraduates should have qualified before the College/Institution
can be considered for a Master’s programme. Prior approval from the statutory body and recognised
University and Government is mandatory prior to course commencement.
6.2 The institution must satisfy the minimum requirements for undergraduate training as prescribed by the
IAP and in addition must fulfil the requirements of postgraduate training.
6.3 Not withstanding what is given in above clause, A Premier Institution (“A Premier Institution” as defined
by State/Central Government), is competent to conduct a Master’s course in Physiotherapy in their field
of speciality subject to the specifications set by the IAP.
6.4 In an Institution imparting only post-graduate training, facilities consistent with the requirements of allround
training including training in Basic Sciences related to the subjects of training as recommended by
the IAP should be provided.
6.5 Each of these applications should be considered on a case to case basis.

7. Infrastructure

7.1 Classrooms/ Seminar rooms: In addition to the space provided for the undergraduate program, the
institute shall have additional 2 rooms of 400 sq. feet, each to accommodate a minimum of 15 students
with audio-visual aids.
7.2 Laboratory: The space provided for as per undergraduate guidelines must have an additional area of
600 sq. feet to accommodate the equipment required for Post-graduate teaching.
7.3 Equipment: The laboratories should be provided with the following mandatory equipment:

Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy Laboratory:

• Dynamometer
• Hand Evaluation kit.
• Biofeedback unit with facility EMG unit with integrated analysis software provided.
• Video camera and player (with Jog shuttle facility) for movement analysis - desirable
• Isokinetic Unit - desirable.
• Motion Analysis - desirable.

Neuro-physiotherapy Laboratory :

• 2 channel EMG with nerve-conduction testing facility
• Biofeedback unit with the facility to do quantitative analysis and therapy.
• Sensory Integration kits
• Balance boards
• Video camera and player (with jog shuttle facility) for movement analysis - desirable
• Motion Analyser - desirable
• Balance master - desirable

Cardio-Pulmonary Laboratory :

• Ergometer (Treadmill/ Bicycle with arm and leg Unit)
• Spirometer Portable
• Peak Flow meters.
• Mannequin for CPR training.
• Body Composition Analyser - desirable
• Energy consumption analyzer - desirable.

Pediatric Laboratory :

• Well Equipped Play room
• Sensory integration kit
• Swiss balls
• Positioning devices

Community Physiotherapy :

• Attachment to a PHC is a must
• Accessibility to a mobile physiotherapy unit is desirable.

Sports Physiotherapy :

• Fitness measurement instrumentation
• Access to sports centre/gym
• Tie up with a sports team.

8. Clinical Facilities :

The institution must provide in house facility for clinical training as a preferred choice. In the absence of this a Memorandum Of Understanding (MOU) with access to hands-on clinical training should be made with speciality hospitals and institutions in each of the areas of Musculoskeletal/ Trauma Units, Neurology/Neurosurgery, Cardio-pulmonary unit with Intensive care facilities, Paediatrics,
Community Physiotherapy and Sports unit. In either case it is strongly recommended that each teaching
unit accommodate a maximum of six PG Students only. Both training on in-door as well as out-door
patients should be provided for.

9. Library Facility:

9.1 Books - In addition to books available for undergraduate teaching additional reference books to cater to
the post-graduate studies should be provided for.
9.2 Journals - A minimum of 5 indexed international journals should be provided for with additional journal
in each elective area.

10. Internet Facility-

In house Internet facility to do literature searches should be preferably provided for.

11. Attendance-

A student must have a minimum of 80% attendence to be eligible to take up the examinations.
Only those students who have pursued a regular prescribed course of study for the year will be allowed
to appear in the annual examinations that are held at the end of their respective years.

12. Examinations and Assessment

The examination for the MPT degree will consist of both formative and summative pattern:

• Written assignment as required or stipulated by the teacher
• Clinical, oral, and practical examinations as the case maybe
• Final written and practical (where specified) examinations for the subjects specified later.
• Internal assessment at specified intervals during the course of the academic year should be carried out on an ongoing basis.
• Continuous clinical assessment should be carried out though-out the year.

13. Dissertation

A Dissertation is compulsory and should embody the candidate’s own work carried in the chosen elective
area under the supervision of a recognised guide qualified for the purpose.
A Research proposal should be submitted to the University for approval within six (6) months of admission
to the course.
The completed Dissertation should be submitted three (3) months prior to the final University examination.

14. PG Guide*

A PG guide must have at-least 5 years of full time teaching and clinical experience in the core subject
area after post-graduation.
Not withstanding the above clause in an case of acute shortage of qualified postgraduate guides, A PG
teacher with 3 years experience after Masters can be considered. This clause is subject to review by
2008.
For other specific qualifications of teachers please refer to the recommendations on the qualifications of
Teachers prescribed by the IAP.

15. Examiners* :

A PG guide as defined above is eligible to be appointed as an examiner.
There shall be at least two examiners in each clinical examination out of which, at-least one shall be an
eligible external examiner. The external examiners who fulfil the conditions should ordinarily be invited
from another recognised University, preferably.
*Note : These above qualifications are applicable to all future recruitments. In the case of teachers who
are already recognised as PG guides/examiners status quo will be maintained.

16. Course Content :

It is recommended that the course subjects be outlined under two major headings – core subjects or
subjects mandatory for all students and electives or subjects of specialities.
Under core subject’s programmes should offer theoretical and practical (where applicable) training in
the following subjects:
1. Biomechanics
2. Research and Bio-statistics
3. Educational Methodology
4. Ergonomics and Work Physiology
5. Physical and/or Functional Measurement & Diagnosis
6. Advanced Therapeutics
Under Elective subject’s programmes should offer theoretical, practical and clinical training in the
following areas :
E1 Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy
E2 Neurological Physiotherapy
E3 Cardiovascular & pulmonary Physiotherapy
E4 Paediatric Physiotherapy
E5 Community Physiotherapy.
E6 Sports Physiotherapy
The two-year course should have a minimum of 3200 teaching hours, inclusive of didactic, clinical,
dissertation and lab work. These hours should be equally divided between year one and two – i.e., 1600
hours each.

17. Course Structure:

17.1 First Year

17.2Second Year

18. University Examination at the end of First Year :

19. University Examination at the end of Second Year:

20. Dissertation

20.1 Dissertation submission must include certification by guide and head of Department.
20.2 The criterion for Dissertation evaluation will be - acceptable/non-acceptable. No marks will be awarded.
20.3 In case of non-acceptance of dissertation the exact reasons must be given.

21. Criteria of Passing :

21.1Students who have failed the first examinations will be allowed to continue with their second year of
study.
21.2Students are considered passed only when they have secured a minimum of 50 % marks in the theory and the practical separately.