Pre-Physical Therapy
Essential Courses
| Course # | Title | Credit Hours | Prerequisites |
|---|---|---|---|
| BI 105 | Biological Diversity and Ecology | 3 | None |
| BI 121 | Biology Lab I | 1 | BI 105 (corequisite) |
| BI 106 | Structure and Function of Cells and Organisms | 3 | BI 105 and CH 105 |
| BI 122 | Biology Lab II | 1 | BI 105 and BI 121(prerequisites) |
| CH 105 | Organic Chemistry Concepts I | 3 | None |
| CH 116 | Organic Chemistry Lab I | 1 | CH 106 (corequisite) |
| CH 106 | Organic Chemistry Concepts II | 3 | CH 105 (with C or better) |
| CH 118 | Organic Chemistry Lab II | 1 | CH 106 and Ch 116 |
| BI 207 | Dynamics Of Biological Processes | 4 | BI 106, CH 106, and CH 232 |
| CH 232 | Intro to Inorganic Chemistry | 4 | CH 105 and CH 116 |
| BI 305 | Biostatistics | 4 | BI 106 or EES 100 |
| OR | |||
| ND SS 214 | Statistics for Social Sciences | 4 | None |
| BI 310 | Physiology | 4 | BI 207 |
| BI 367 | Comparative Anatomy | 3 | BI 106, BI 122; BI 368 (corequisite) |
| BI 368 | Comparative Anatomy Laboratory | 1 | BI 367 (corequisite) |
| SO 101 | Introduction to Sociology | 3 | None |
| PY 101 | Introduction to Psychology | 3 | None |
| PY 203 | Abnormal Psychology | 3 | PY 101 |
| OR | |||
| PY 350 | Developmental Psychology | 3 | PY 101 |
| PL 106 | Introduction to Ethics | 3 | None |
| PC 200 | General Physics I | 3 | PC 206 (corequisite) |
| OR | |||
| PC 202 | Introductory Physics I | 3 | MA 130 and PC 206 (corequisites) |
| PC 206 | Physics Lab I | 1 | PC 200 or PC 202 (corequisite) |
| PC 201 | General Physics II | 3 | PC 200; PC 207 (corequisite) |
| OR | |||
| PC 203 | Introductory Physics II | 3 | PC 202 and MA 130; PC 207 (corequisite) |
| PC 207 | Physics Lab II | 1 | PC 201 or PC 203 (corequisite) |
| MA 130 | Calculus I | 4 | None |
| OR | |||
| MA 103 | Quantitative Methods | 3 | None |
| OR | |||
| MA 100 | Precalculus Math | 3 | None |
| OR | |||
| MA 110 | Linear Algebra | 3 | None |
| EN ___ | English Course (in addition to CWS) | 3 | Varies |
Important Notes:
- Recommend Communication courses, Ethics of Health Care, Minorities, Mental and Physical Handicaps, accounting and business courses, and foreign language (especially Spanish).
- These courses reflect requirements for our affiliations with Drexel University, Jefferson School of Health Professions, and Widener University only. Although this course list will be sufficient for most other programs, make sure to check requirements of schools in which you are interested no later than your sophomore year.
- This course list does NOT represent a POE, nor does it cover College requirements. Design a POE in consultation with your advisor. Note: If you are in a 3+ _ program, course work during the first yea rof professional school can count toward upper level POE requirement.
- Make sure to have an advisor on the Health Professions Committee, preferably Professor Susan Radis.
- In addition to your course work it is mandatory to gain experience in physical therapy either during the school year or over the summer.
REQUIREMENTS
Drexel University- 4 + 3 B.S./D.P.T. Program
Jefferson School of Health Professions- Regular Progression (4 years at Juniata) OR 3 + 3 B.S./D.P.T. Program*
Widener University- 4+ 3 B.S./D.P.T. Program
| Courses | Drexel | Jefferson | Widener |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biology I and II | 8 (both with lab) | 8 | 3 |
| Anatomy | 4 (or Anatomy & Physiology I & II) | 4 | 3 |
| Physiology | 4 (or Anatomy & Physiology I & II) | 4 | 3 |
| Chemistry I and II, both with lab | 8 | 8 | 8 |
| Physics I and II, both with lab | 8 | 8 | 6 |
Social Sciences |
6 credits of psychology (General Psychology and Abnormal or Developmental Psychology. Beginning with Fall 2015 only General Psychology |
9, including 6 credits of psychology (Introduction to Psychology and Abnormal Psychology or Developmental Psychology) and 3 credits of Sociology or a cultural course.
|
9, including 6 credits of psychology (Introduction to Psychology and Abnormal Psychology or Developmental Psychology) and 3 credits of Sociology or Anthropology.
|
| Humanities | --- |
9 including 6 credits of English composition/writing and 3 credits of Ethics |
English Composition - 3 credits General Humanities - 6
|
| Statistics | 3 (prefer behavioral science-based) | 3 | 3 |
| Math (College algebra/trigonometry/precalculus or calculus) | --- | 3 | --- |
* Students completing the 3 + 3 program receive degrees from Juniata and Jefferson
**can be Anatomy, Genetics, Immunology, Microbiology, or Biology Research
Competitive credentials: Science and overall GPA of 3.2-3.4 ; GRE in the 50th percentile or better in each section.
For Drexel minimum overall GPA of 3.0, science GPA of 3.0: Minimum GRE combined score of 300: Volunteer, (recommended at least 50 hours), paid or shadowing experiences and 2 letters of recommendation are required (must include one from a physical therapist and one from a science-based professor or advisor). Qualified applicants will be invited for an interview. Applicants are encouraged to apply early to be evaluated for available scholarship money. Drexel also has the following admission requirements found by clicking on the website www.drexel.edu/physicalTherapy/programs/dpt/admissions/
For Jefferson: High school GPA of 3.35 or higher and a total of 1100 or higher in the SAT Criitical Reading + Math sections for accelerated applicants admitted to Juniata. Incoming high school students interested in the 3 + 3 affiliation must have at least 20 hours of volunteer experience. Students applying to the 3 + 3 program for the first time at the end of their freshman year must have a 3.3 GPA at the end of the freshman spring semester to be considered for the accelerated option. ALL applicants must have at least a 3.0 overall GPA and 3.0 Jefferson science prerequisite GPA with no less than a C in any prerequisite course. Retake prerequisites in which a C- or lower is earned at Juniata or a four year institution approved by Juniata. The higher grade will be used in Jefferson's GPA calculations. Juniata students need to obtain a minimum of 50 hours of experience in at least two different settings (ex. inpatient and outpatient facilities) and two letters of recommendation (one from a physical therapist). Qualified applicants will be invited for an interview.
For Widener; Science prerequisite course GPA of 3.0 and minimum overall prerequisite course GPA of 3.0; GRE scores of at least the 50th percentile for each of the verbal and quantitative sections. minimum of 40 volunteer hours in at least one setting. Retake prerequisites in which a C- or less was earned; For 4 + 3 applicants; a grade of B- or better is required in all prerequisites; All applicants: 3 letters required (2 PT, 1 from Committee), volunteer experience of at least 40 hours required-recommended in 2 different practice areas (inpatient/hospital and outpatient/clinic preferred). No more than 3 prerequisites may be in progress at the time of application. Applicants may be granted advanced placement or have certain courses waived, with the specifics determined by Widener. All students must apply through PTCAS. Study abroad courses will NOT fulfill Widener prerequisites.
Helpful websites:
PT School Program Requirements - http://www.ptcas.org/Directory.html
American Physical Therapy Association - http://www.apta.org
Drexel University - http://www.drexel.edu/cnhp/rehab_sciences/welcome.asp
Jefferson School of Health Professions - http://www.jefferson.edu/health_professions/
Widener University - http://www.widener.edu/academics/schools/shsp/physical_therapy
General Information: http://www.explorehealthcareers.org/en/Index.aspx
SUGGESTED CORE PROGRESSION FOR Pre-PHYSICAL THERAPY*
*If you are planning to study abroad or if you are in accelerated program consult with your Health Professions advisor to plan your course progression
Bolded courses are offered only in the indicated semester and/or require a specific sequence due to Juniata prerequisites. Non-bolded courses are either offered in both semesters or represent open-ended choices, making them more flexible in when they can be taken.
| FALL | SPRING | |
|---|---|---|
| Freshman Year | BI 105 | Biology Lab II |
| Biology Lab I | Organic Chemistry Concepts II (if C or better in OCC I) | |
| Organic Chem Concepts I | Organic Chem Lab I | |
| Psychology |
| FALL | SPRING | |
|---|---|---|
| Sophomore Year | BI 106 | BI 207 |
| Intro to Inorganic Chem | English course | |
| Organic Chem Lab II | Math course | |
| Developmental Psychology (or Abnormal Psychology) | Abnormal Psychology (or Developmental Psychology) |
| FALL | SPRING | |
|---|---|---|
| Junior Year | Sociology | Statistics |
| Physics I and Lab | Anatomy and Lab | |
| Physiology and Lab | Physics II and Lab | |
| Introduction to Ethics | ||
| GRE Exam Preparation* | GRE Exam Preparation |
*Both semesters of the year that you plan to take the exam (for programs that require it)
If you do an accelerated program plan to finish most or all of the prerequisite courses the year before your final year at Juniata. If you have one or two courses to complete your final year at Juniata, you could be conditionally accepted to professional school based on your academic record up to that point and on successful completion of the remaining prerequisite courses.
If you study abroad the SAFEST strategy is to take ALL prerequisite courses for professional school in the U.S., which may require you to take courses in the U.S. over the summer, preferably at a 4 year institution. However, if this is extremely difficult for your situation, check with the professional schools you wish to attend to see if they will accept courses taken abroad and if so, get their response in writing. Also if you have a Biology POE and will not have BI 207 by the time you go abroad, check with the Biology Department to see if there is a Cell and Molecular course you can take abroad that will enable you to take upper level biology offerings at Juniata your senior year that require BI 207 (ex. Physiology, Immunology, and Microbiology)
Be mindful of your POE courses, which are NOT indicated here. For example, if you have a Biology POE, you will need to take Freshman seminar the spring of your freshman year, Frontiers of Biology the fall of your sophomore year, and Biology 207 at your earliest opportunity after completing Introduction to Inorganic Chemistry.
