Pre-Health Advising: Physical Therapy Preparation

• Physical therapists (PTs) are movement experts who prescribe exercise, provide hands-on care, and patient education. PT’s examine each patient and develop an individualized plan to increase mobility, reduce pain, restore function, and prevent disability.
• Physical therapists can treat patients in a variety of settings, including hospitals, private practices, outpatient clinics, schools, sports and fitness facilities, and nursing homes.
• DPT programs in Oregon: George Fox University, Oregon State University- Cascades, Pacific University, Western University of Health Sciences, Oregon Institute of Technology/Oregon Health and Science University.
• Common majors pre-physical therapy UO students pursue: Human Physiology or Multidisciplinary Science. 

• Completing the prerequisite courses is just one aspect of the process. You must also have a well- rounded application consisting of experience (shadowing, volunteer work, undergraduate research, life experience, etc.), letters of recommendation, GRE (not all programs require this), and a strong admissions essay.
• Once your application is submitted, you may be required to complete a secondary/supplemental application and attend an on-campus interview (program specific).
• PT schools require applicants to have 20-400 observation hours in a physical therapy setting. Researching individual program requirements is an important step!
• Applying to PT school is a year-long process. Students applying in their final year at UO will have a gap year before starting PT school. Students can work, take courses, travel, etc. during the year.
• Be sure to research individual programs about any COVID-19 related changes (pre-reqs and GRE exceptions, pass/fail policy, etc).

The chart below illustrates one way common requirements can fit into a 4-year plan.

• Keep in mind that a graduation plan is as unique as the student following it - Math placement, major, transfer credits, application timeline, and other factors will help shape your graduation plan and timeline. 
• Following the "common requirements" list above will allow you to cast a wide net when applying to Physical Therapy Programs. 
• The list above outlines "requirements that vary". It is recommended that students explore programs to ensure their graduation plan captures all of the requirements they need for their programs of interest.
  • Use PTCAS Program Directory to explore Physical Therapy Programs.
• Work with a pre-health advisor to solidify your graduation plan! 

Watch the Physical Therapy Prerequisite Overview video for additional details on prerequisite courses. 

i These courses are prerequisites for UO’s anatomy & physiology sequence. They are not typically prerequisites for PT school.

ii This course is not required by PT programs. This is a co-requisite for General Chemistry I

Questions? Email pre-health advisors at prehealthadvising@uoregon.edu.