Physical Therapy

The opportunity for students to enter a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program with a bachelor’s degree has continually expanded over the years. Most schools require three years for degree completion. Many DPT schools require applicants to observe a physical therapist in one or more practice settings prior to admission. Students interested in the study of physical therapy should become familiar with the specific requirements of the schools to which they plan to apply. These requirements are contained in the PTCAS Program Directory. See the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) website: www.apta.org. The following courses will satisfy the requirements for admission to most U.S. physical therapy schools:

• Biology — Biology 111 Principals of Biology, 112 The Biological World, 205 Genetics , 221 & 222 Human Anatomy I & II and labs or 310 Physiology or 330 Human Physiology
• Chemistry — Two semesters of general/inorganic chemistry with laboratory (Chemistry 125, 126, 135, 136 or 140, 240)
• Physics — Two semesters of physics with laboratory (Physics 145, 146, 175, 176)
• Mathematics – Mathematics 128 Introduction to Statistics or 247 Statistics with Applications
• Social sciences – One semester of Psychology 110 Introduction to Psychology or 240 Developmental Psychology and one additional course selected from anthropology, sociology or psychology

Note: Requirements vary. Many schools require a course in human anatomy. Some schools require courses in mathematics (Mathematics 125, 126), English composition (Rhetoric, Writing and Public Discourse 210), exercise physiology, medical terminology, and ethics (Philosophy 127 Ethics, Philosophy 217 Bioethics). If you have AP/IB credit for Chemistry 125, Chemistry 240 is not required.