Pre-Physical Therapy
Prerequisite Courses
| Prerequisites | Mason Courses |
|---|---|
| General Biology with lab, 2 semesters | Effective Fall 2021: BIOL 102 and BIOL 103/105 or BIOL 213 and BIOL 311 Prior to Fall 2021: BIOL 103 and BIOL 106/107 or BIOL 213 and BIOL 106/107 |
| Anatomy and Physiology with lab, 2 semesters | BIOL 124 + 125 or BIOL 430 + 431 |
| General Chemistry with lab, 2 semesters | CHEM 211 and CHEM 213 or CHEM 103 CHEM 212 and CHEM 214 or CHEM 104 |
| Physics with lab, 2 semesters | PHYS 243 and PHYS 244 PHYS 245 and PHYS 246 |
| Statistics, 1 semester | BIOL 214/Biostatistics or STAT 250/Statistics |
| Calculus, 1 semester (Recommended – can vary by program) | MATH 113 |
| Psychology, 2 semesters | PSYC 100/Basic Concepts in Psychology PSYC 211/Developmental Psychology PSYC 325/Abnormal Psychology |
- Prerequisites can vary on a school by school basis. Please check the prerequisites for schools to which you hope to apply: Physical Therapy Central Application Service Course Prerequisite Summary.
- Admission to a physical therapy program generally requires 40 to 150 hours of volunteer or paid experience in a health care setting. Some schools require volunteer hours in at least two physical therapy practice settings. Specific program requirements can be found here.
- An undergraduate’s major is not a factor in the admissions process; students may major in any area they are interested in pursuing and complete the prerequisites as either requirements or electives within their major.
- For further information on physical therapy careers, please visit the American Physical Therapy Association.
Physical Therapists
According to APTA, “Physical therapists (PTs) are health care professionals who diagnose and treat individuals of all ages, from newborns to the very oldest, who have medical problems or other health-related conditions that limit their abilities to move and perform functional activities in their daily lives. PTs examine each individual and develop a plan using treatment techniques to promote the ability to move, reduce pain, restore function, and prevent disability. In addition, PTs work with individuals to prevent the loss of mobility before it occurs by developing fitness- and wellness-oriented programs for healthier and more active lifestyles. Physical therapists provide care for people in a variety of settings, including hospitals, private practices, outpatient clinics, home health agencies, schools, sports and fitness facilities, work settings, and nursing homes. State licensure is required in each state in which a physical therapist practices” Further, according to APTA , “There is a high demand for physical therapist assistants in the workforce despite the economic downturn. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of physical therapists is expected to grow by 35 percent from 2008 to 2018, much faster than the average for all occupations. The need for PTAs is expected to increase into the foreseeable future as the U.S. population ages and the demand for physical therapy services grows.”
Education
There are both masters and doctoral level programs for physical therapy. However, most schools are moving towards the Doctorate of Physical Therapy (DPT). It typically takes three years to complete a DPT depending on the requirements of the program. Physical Therapists need to be licensed to practice after graduating from an accredited physical therapy program. Each state has its own regulations and requirements for licensure. Most schools require a bachelor’s degree prior to starting a DPT program.
Employment Outlook and Earnings
The current Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook provides information for Physical Therapy.
Applying to Physical Therapy School
A list of accredited Physical Therapist Education Programs can be found at the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education.
The Physical Therapist Centralized Application Service (PTCAS) allows students to use a single web-based application and one set of materials to apply to multiple PT programs.
The opening date for the PTCAS application is generally July 1. Application deadlines vary from October to May.
Transcripts should be sent to PTCAS with a transcript matching form. PTCAS will not verify or forward your application until all official transcripts are received.
All letters of references must be submitted electronically via PTCAS. DPT programs can still choose to accept paper references directly from applicants, if needed. Program-specific reference requirements are available on the PTCAS website.
GRE
The majority of DPT Programs require applicants to take the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) which is a standardized test to gauge a student’s ability to do well in a graduate program. The GRE is given year-round at computer-based test centers in the U.S., Canada, and many other countries. Appointments to take the test are scheduled on a first-come, first-served basis.
Accredited Schools in Virginia
Mary Baldwin College/Murphy Deming College of Health Sciences
