Did you know:Â The physical therapy profession got its start in WW1. Reconstruction aids, or nurses, provided therapy treatment to soldiers suffering from an injury so they could return to the battlefront. They performed physical and occupational therapy before the therapy field was officially formed.
Students planning on gaining admission to physical therapy school must successfully combine an academic major with the specific prerequisite requirements. Most physical therapy schools are not selective in your degree. A student should select the best degree for them. Factors to consider:
How efficient is the degree?
What are your passions?
What would you do if you did not become a physical therapist?
The following information and resources are excellent for pre-physical therapy students to consult when looking for more information about the profession and locating programs:
HLTH 110 Introduction to Health Science and Public Health is a Foundational Studies course that is recommended for all students with an interest in health and wellness.
Physical therapy schools can differ significantly in their pre-professional requirements, but typically include biology, chemistry, physics, and psychology. This may include BIOL 227-228, CHEM 111-112, MATH 143-144, PHYS 111-112, PSYC 101, and PSYC 301 or PSYC 309. Additional beneficial or required courses may include BIOL 191-192, COMM 101, HLTH 101, KINES 330-331, SOC 101, and statistics. If you are interested in applying to a physical therapy program, you should consult with an advisor, determine physical therapy programs of interest, and pattern your specific pre-professional curriculum in line with these schools. Most schools of physical therapy require the Graduate Record Exam (GRE). For more information, visit www.apta.org or www.ptcas.org.