Health Sciences - Pre-Physical Therapy

The Health Sciences Major with a concentration in Pre-Physical Therapy prepares students for graduate work in Physical Therapy. Health Sciences majors take courses to prepare them for careers in health care from both the scientific and psychosocial perspectives. Required courses common to a  majority of graduate programs are required for the major core, while elective courses are selected by the student based on their intended profession. Students are expected to take an active role in course selection and career planning due to the wide range of requirements for Health Sciences related graduate programs.  

Related Occupations

Careers in health care from both the scientific and psychosocial perspectives

Fast Facts

• To practice as a physical therapist in the U.S., you must earn a doctor of physical therapy degree from a Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education-accredited physical therapist education program and pass a state licensure exam.
• The length of professional DPT programs is typically three years. Primary content areas in the curriculum may include, but are not limited to, biology/anatomy, cellular histology, physiology, exercise physiology, biomechanics, kinesiology, neuroscience, pharmacology, pathology, behavioral sciences, communication, ethics/values, management sciences, finance, sociology, clinical reasoning, evidence-based practice, cardiovascular and pulmonary, endocrine and metabolic, and musculoskeletal.
• Approximately 80% of the DPT curriculum is a classroom (didactic) and lab study and the remaining 20% is dedicated to clinical education. PT students spend on average 27.5 weeks in their final clinical experience.
• The American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties offers board-certification in ten specialty areas of physical therapy: Cardiovascular and Pulmonary, Clinical Electrophysiology, Geriatrics, Neurology, Oncology, Orthopaedics, Pediatrics, Sports, Women's Health, and Wound Management.