Physical Therapy

Physical therapy (PT) degree programs now require a doctorate degree as the minimal requirement for licensure and practice. Generally, these programs do not prescribe a specific undergraduate major, but rather require certain prerequisite courses to be taken before admission to the PT curriculum. Although these pre-professional courses vary somewhat from program to program, the basic requirements are similar. Students interested in this field should obtain the requirements of the specific PT program they wish to attend and are encouraged to have academic advisors from either the Biological Sciences or Kinesiology and Health Studies Departments.

The minimum pre-professional requirements for physical therapy programs typically include:

1. Two semesters of general biology, animal biology or zoology, with labs (BIO111, 212, 214, 305, 306, and 325 are recommended);
2. two semesters of general chemistry with labs (CHE111, 112, 113); and
3. two semesters of general physics with labs (PHY211 and 212).

Additional upper- level courses in biology, chemistry, and/or physics are also recommended to increase the overall value of the application. Courses in general psychology (PSY111), adolescence and adulthood (PSY242) and child development (PSY340), medical terminology (KHS200), exercise physiology (KHS423), KHS304, KHS306 (with lab), oral communication (COMM 200) and statistics (MAT111) are recommended and/or required by many institutions. Additional requirements include a minimum of 50 volunteer hours.  For more information about pre-physical therapy, please contact Dr. Karla Francioni.