Pre-Physical Therapy

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Introduction

Students prepare for entry to a graduate program in physical therapy by obtaining a baccalaureate degree, completing the prerequisite course work for entry into specific programs, and by obtaining a broad variety of volunteer clinical experience under the direction of a physical therapist (200-500 hours). Students may complete an undergraduate degrees in any area. Physical therapy programs are three-year programs offered at the doctoral level, and require submission of scores for the Graduate Record Exam (GRE – general test only).

Specific information on each physical therapy program can be obtained from the PT Education link on the American Physical Therapy Association home page at apta.org. Program prerequisites, statistics, and curriculums are presented by geographic location. Students are encouraged to review prerequisite courses early in their academic planning and to develop a plan of study within the first quarter of entry to Western.

Pre-Physical Therapy is not a major at WWU. PT schools do not require a specific major. A student can complete any major at Western, and fulfill the course pre-requisites for specific PT schools to be qualified to apply.

Contact Information

Pre-Physical Therapy Advisor
Gordon Chalmers
Carver 201G
360-650-3113
Gordon.Chalmers@wwu.edu
calendly.com/chalmerswwu

Pre-Physical Therapy Advisor
Dave Suprak
Carver 201M
360-650-2586
Dave.Suprak@wwu.edu
davidsuprak.youcanbook.me

Resources

wwu.edu/careers/prehealth.shtml

How to Indicate you are Pre-Physical Therapy:

Although Pre-Physical Therapy is not a major, the university maintains a record of students who have indicated their intention to pursue healthcare careers. In order to receive access to our Health Professions Advising Canvas site and advising that is relevant to your intended area, send an email to prehealth@wwu.edu with your name, W number, Western email address with “Pre-PT” as the subject line.

Course Requirements

Freshman/Sophomore Years:

Meet with a Pre-Physical Therapy advisor to complete a plan of study. Complete the following courses:

MATH 114 - Precalculus I Credits: 5
MATH 115 - Precalculus II Credits: 5
MATH 114 or MATH 115 fulfills QSR GUR requirement.
CHEM 161 - General Chemistry I Credits: 5
CHEM 162 - General Chemistry II Credits: 5
CHEM 163 - General Chemistry III Credits: 5
Completion of Chemistry or Physics series fulfills Natural Sciences GUR requirement.
PSY 101 - Introduction to Psychology Credits: 5 (plus another course in a behavioral science, such as psychology, sociology, or anthropology)
PSY 101 contributes to fulfillment of SSC GUR requirement.

Select a behavioral science course beyond PSY 101 by examining the requirements of PT schools you are interested in being qualified to apply to, to see if they have any specific requirements.
BIOL 204 - Introduction to Evolution, Ecology and Biodiversity w/lab Credits: 5
BIOL 205 - Introduction to Cellular and Molecular Biology w/lab Credits: 5
or BIOL 101 - Introduction to Biology w/lab Credits: 4
BIOL 101 alone, or combined with a 200-level Biology class, will not meet the requirements for some PT schools (e.g., U of WA requires BIOL 204, BIOL 205)
PHYS 114 - Principles of Physics I Credits: 5
PHYS 115 - Principles of Physics II Credits: 5
PHYS 116 - Principles of Physics III Credits: 5
One Statistics course from the following:
MATH 240 - Introduction to Statistics Credits: 4
KIN 307 - Statistics in Exercise & Sport Science Credits: 4
BIOL 340 - Biostatistics Credits: 5
Other GUR courses.

Junior Year

Work on completing the following:

BIOL 348 - Human Anatomy and Physiology w/lab Credits: 5
Only HHD and Biology/Anthropology majors are allowed to resister for BIOL 348 at WWU. Students in other majors requiring BIOL 348 for professional school may be granted an override if they request one from the instructor at least three weeks prior to phase I of registration.
BIOL 349 - Human Physiology w/lab Credits: 5
Other Physical Therapy prerequisites. You must examine the requirements of PT schools you wish to qualify to apply to, and ensure you complete their requirements by discussing these requirements with your advisor so they can be included in your plan of study.
Clinical experience hours. See your pre-PT advisor for assistance setting up clinical experience hours.
Major requirements.
Prepare for the Graduate Records Examination (GRE).

Senior Year

Take the GRE in the fall.
Request letters of recommendation from professors, administrators and professionals.
Complete remaining Physical Therapy prerequisites.
Complete major requirements.
Two quarters before graduation, meet with major faculty advisor for major evaluation and apply for graduation.