Pre-Physical Therapy

��Ƶ undergraduates who are interested in a career in physical therapy may choose to complete a pre-physical therapy track along with their bachelor’s degree in preparation for graduate school. ��Ƶ offers a doctor of physical therapy program through its College of Health Professions. Pacific also offers several other pre-professional tracks.

About Physical Therapy

Physical therapy is the examination, treatment and instruction of human beings to detect, assess, prevent, correct, alleviate and limit physical disability, movement dysfunction, bodily malfunction and pain from injury and disease. It includes the administration, interpretation and evaluation of tests and measurements of bodily functions and structures.

Physical therapy today includes a range of patients from pediatrics to geriatrics. Physical therapists can be certified specialists in neurology, orthopedics, hand therapy, aquatics and pediatrics. They serve as a vital part of preparing patients to return to their normal daily activities and are primary educators of patients on how best to perform these activities.

The role of physical therapists has grown from passive assistants following physicians’ orders to active participants in patient rehabilitation. Most therapy today is conducted in clinics owned by therapists or in therapy units where the physical therapist is in a management position.

Pacific Priority

Save Your Seat

The ��Ƶ Doctor of Physical Therapy Program participates in Pacific’s Guaranteed Grad School Admission Program. Students may apply for the PT Program as soon as they commit to Pacific as undergraduates or transfer students, or during their junior year.

Learn More about Guaranteed Grad Admission

Program and Requirements

Physical therapists are required to have a postgraduate professional degree. Programs usually award a doctor of physical therapy (DPT) degree, though a small number award a master of physical therapy (MPT). Doctoral programs typically last three years, while MPT programs require two to three years.

Most programs require a bachelor’s degree for admission, including specific prerequisites, such as coursework in anatomy, physiology, biology and chemistry.

Physical therapy students complete academic coursework, as well as clinical rotations, gaining supervised work experience in areas such as acute care and orthopedic care. Physical therapists may complete residency programs of nine months to three years following graduation. All states require physical therapists to be licensed, though licensing processes vary from state to state.

The ��Ƶ School of Physical Therapy and Athletic Training offers a three-year DPT program. Admission is highly competitive. Undergraduate students interested in the program should complete a bachelor’s degree with a major of their choice, but coursework should also include the suggested course sequence of prerequisites below. The ��Ƶ School of Physical Therapy and Athletic Training values proficiency in writing and a strong education in the humanities and social sciences. Admission is very competitive, so superior grades are important, particularly in science courses.