Pre-Physical Therapy

Course Requirements

General physical therapy school course requirements include:

  • Two semesters of general biology with laboratories
  • Two semesters of general chemistry with laboratories
  • Two semesters of physics with laboratories (Calculus is a required prerequisite)
  • Two semesters of anatomy and physiology
  • One semester of general psychology
  • One semester of statistics
  • One semester of medical terminology

For UK’s PT Program applicants may opt to complete a 300 level or higher biomechanics course to replace their second physics course 

Transylvania has a partnership with Bellarmine University’s Physical Therapy Program which includes guaranteed seats for Transy students. Bellarmine’s program  also includes Exercise Physiology as a prerequisite. 

Students must have five of the eight science prerequisites (chemistry, physics, biology, anatomy and physiology) completed by the deadline in the semester during which their application is being submitted.

A grade of “C” or better is required in all prerequisite courses

Suggested coursework arrangement:

First semester

  • FYS 1004 First-Year Seminar
  • BIO 1204 Integrated Concepts of Biology, Molecules and Cells
  • HES 1004 Intro to Health and Exercise Science

Second semester

  • BIO 1206 Integrated Concepts of Biology: Organisms and Ecosystems
  • FYS 1104 First-Year Research Seminar
  • PSY 1004 General Psychology

Third semester

  • HES 2094 Anatomy and Physiology I
  • CHEM 1055 Principles of Chemistry I

Fourth semester

  • HES 2104 Anatomy and Physiology II
  • CHEM 1065 Principles of Chemistry II 
  • MATH1144 Elementary Statistics

Fifth semester

  • PHYS 2115 University Physics I (can also be taken seventh semester)

Sixth semester

  • PHYS 2125 University Physics II  (can also be taken eighth semester)

GRE

The GRE is generally taken in the summer after the third year in order to matriculate in the fall after graduation. The GRE tests the following subject areas:

  • Verbal reasoning
    • Sentence completion
    • Analogies
    • Antonyms
    • Reading comprehension
  • Quantitative reasoning
    • Arithmetic
    • Algebra
    • Geometry
    • Data analysis
    • Problem solving
    • Quantitative comparison
  • Analytical writing
    • Present your perspective on an issue
    • Analyze an argument

Documentation of 50-100 work/volunteer hours in a physical therapy setting is required.

Competitive applicants

  • Overall GPA: 3.6
  • Science GPA (biology, chemistry, physics): 3.5
  • GRE overall score: Recommended to be above 300

Factors that increase competitiveness:

  • Community service/volunteer work
  • Experience in the field
  • Leadership
  • Strong communication skills

Other important considerations: 

  • Most programs require work, shadowing or volunteer hours
  • Pre-PT students can obtain observation hours by connecting with a mentor through Transy’s 100 Doors Program 

In-state schools: