Pre-Physical Therapy
Pre-Physical Therapy
A strong liberal arts background along with extensive science coursework are highly recommended by physical therapy programs across the country.
Physical therapy is a people-oriented profession that combines a wide range of social, educational, and technical skills.
Physical therapists (PTs) assist those who have physical impairments due to injury, stroke, surgery, or other traumas. Physical therapy is one of the fastest growing health fields, and the demand for PTs is rising as our population ages. PTs must possess physical stamina, creative problem-solving skills, patience, resourcefulness, manual dexterity, and the ability to work closely with people from a variety of backgrounds.
PT Schools Centre Grads Attend*
Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT)
University of Kentucky
Bradley University
Washington University
Western Kentucky University
*A Sampling of Recent Graduates
Alumni Voices
“Centre’s pre-physical therapy program has set me up to succeed in graduate school by providing the relationships necessary for internships and experience in the field. These relationships have emphasized that this career is right for me, and has re-affirmed the fact that I am choosing the right path. In addition, the course work has set me apart in the applicant pool by providing the unique and rigorous brain and behavior courses.”
LILLIE DICKMAN • Centre Class of 2019 • Behavioral Neuroscience Major
Faculty Advisor
Pre-physical therapy students should consult with faculty advisor Professor KatieAnn Skogsberg and can reach her by email here.
What Courses Should I Take?
There’s no specific undergrad major required to be admitted to physical therapy school.
A number of our recent students have gone to PT school after majoring in areas such as English, philosophy, Spanish, religion, and economics, in addition to the traditional sciences of biology, biochemistry and molecular biology (BMB), chemistry, and behavioral neuroscience (BNS).
Each physical therapy school has their own unique entrance requirements, but most require the following courses as prerequisites:
Recommended in Your First Semester
CHE (131 or 135), PSY (110 or 111), or BIO 110
Suggested Courses
Two semesters of psychology
Two semesters of biology
Two semesters of anatomy & physiology
Two semesters of chemistry
Two semesters of physics
One semester of statistics
See the Course Requirements for PT Schools for more information about when each course is offered at Centre College.