Pre-Health Pathways for HES Students

Physical Therapy

Required Prerequisites for Graduate School 

Below is a list of the courses that are typically required for entrance into a doctor of physical therapy program. General education program designations are listed for applicable courses.

• CHEM – 1055 Principles of Chemistry I (w/ Lab)
  • Natural Science
• CHEM – 1055 Principles of Chemistry II (w/ Lab)
  • Natural Science
• BIO – 1204 Biology: Molecules and Cells  (w/ Lab)
• BIO – 1206 Biology: Organisms Ecosystems (w/ Lab)
• HES – 2094 Anatomy and Physiology I (w/ Lab)
  • Upper-Level Liberal Arts
• HES – 2094 Anatomy and Physiology II (w/ Lab)
  • Upper-Level Liberal Arts
• PHYS – 2115 University Physics I (w/ Lab)
  •  Requires Calculus (MAT-1304) as a prerequisite.  
• PHYS – 2125 University Physics II (w/ Lab)* 
• PSY – 1004 General Psychology
  • Social Science 
• MATH – 1144 Elementary Statistics
  • Mathematics
• CLA – 2614 Medical Terminology
  • Upper-Level Liberal Arts

*Check program requirements. 

Example Course Sequence

With a health and exercise science major, the following courses are recommended in each academic year. General education requirements can be taken as needed to equal the minimum of nine credits (classes) per academic year.  

First Year

• HES – 1004 Introduction to Exercise Science 
• HES – 1114 Health and Wellness (General Education Requirement)
• BIO – 1204 Biology: Molecules and Cells  (w/ Lab)
• BIO – 1206 Biology: Organisms Ecosystems (w/ Lab)
• PSY – 1004 General Psychology 

Second Year

• HES – 2004 Public Health 
• HES – 2094 Anatomy and Physiology I (w/ Lab) 
• HES – 2094 Anatomy and Physiology II (w/ Lab)
• CHEM – 1055 Principles of Chemistry I (w/ Lab)
• CHEM – 1055 Principles of Chemistry II (w/ Lab) 
• MATH – 1144 Elementary Statistics 
• HES Elective 

Third Year

• HES – 3014 Physiology of Exercise (w/ Lab)
• HES – 3054 Biomechanics (w/ Lab) 
• HES – 3204 Nutrition and Energy Balance 
• CLA – 2614 Medical Terminology
• HES Elective

Fourth Year

• HES – 444 Senior Seminar 
• PHYS – 2115 University Physics I (w/ Lab)
• PHYS – 2125 University Physics II (w/ Lab)* 
• HES Elective
• HES Elective

*Check program requirements. 

Other Requirements

• Graduate Record Exam (GRE) — Many schools are now test optional, meaning the GRE may not be required. You should check the requirements of the programs that you are applying for. If required, minimum scores start around 290, but recommended scores should be above 300.   
• The average GPA of applicants at Kentucky doctor of physical therapy schools ranges from 3.4-3.7. A score of C or higher is required for all prerequisite courses. 
• Shadowing is required or highly recommended by almost all DPT programs. Some programs require 50 or more hours of shadowing or direct patient contact. An internship (HES-4204) is recommended in the summer after the second or third year.

Occupational Therapy

Prerequisites for Graduate School 

Below is a list of the courses that are typically required for entrance into a doctor of occupational therapy program. General education program designations are listed for applicable courses.  

• CHEM-  1055 Principles of Chemistry I (w/ Lab)
  • Natural Science
• HES – 2094 Anatomy and Physiology I (w/ Lab)
  • Upper-Level Liberal Arts
• HES – 2094 Anatomy and Physiology II (w/ Lab)
  • Upper-Level Liberal Arts
• PSY – 1004 General Psychology
  • Social Science 
• PSY – 2104 Lifespan Development (Developmental Psychology)
  • Upper-Level Liberal Arts
• MATH – 1144 Elementary Statistics
  • Mathematics
• CLA – 2614 Medical Terminology
  • Upper-Level Liberal Arts

Recommended Courses:

• PSY 3124 – Abnormal Psychology
  • Upper-Level Liberal Arts and Writing Intensive 
• SOC 1004 – Introduction to Sociology
  •  Social Science
• PHIL 2164 – Bioethics
  • Upper-Level Liberal Arts and Writing Intensive 
• Any Communications (WRC) Course 

Example Course Sequence

With a health and exercise science major, the following courses are recommended in each academic year. General education requirements can be taken as needed to equal the minimum of nine credits (classes) per academic year.  

First Year

• HES – 1004 Introduction to Exercise Science 
• HES – 1114 Health and Wellness (General Education Requirement)
• PSY – 1004 General Psychology 

Second Year

• HES – 2004 Public Health 
• HES – 2094 Anatomy and Physiology I (w/ Lab) 
• HES – 2094 Anatomy and Physiology II (w/ Lab)
• MATH – 1144 Elementary Statistics 
• HES Elective 

Third Year

• HES – 3014 Physiology of Exercise (w/ Lab)
• HES – 3054 Biomechanics (w/ Lab) 
• HES – 3204 Nutrition and Energy Balance 
• CLA – 2614 Medical Terminology
• PSY – 2104 Lifespan Development (Developmental Psychology) (HES Elective)

Fourth Year

• HES – 444 Senior Seminar 
• CHEM – 1055 Principles of Chemistry I (w/ Lab)
• PSY 3124 – Abnormal Psychology (HES Elective)
• PHIL 2164 – Bioethics 
• HES Elective

Other Requirements

• Graduate Record Exam (GRE) — Many schools are now test optional, meaning the GRE may not be required. You should check the requirements of the programs that you are applying for. If required, minimum scores start around 290 but recommended scores should be above 300.   
• The average GPA of applicants at Kentucky doctor of occupational therapy schools ranges from 3.4-3.7. A score of C or higher is required of all prerequisite courses. 
• Shadowing is required or highly recommended by almost all DOT programs. Some programs require 20 or more hours of shadowing or direct patient contact. An internship (HES-4204) is recommended in the summer after the second or third year.

Athletic Training

Required Prerequisites for Graduate School 

Below is a list of the courses that are typically required for entrance into an entry-level master’s in athletic training program. General education program designations are listed for applicable courses.   

• CHEM – 1055 Principles of Chemistry I (w/ Lab)
  • Natural Science
• BIO – 1204 Biology: Molecules and Cells  (w/ Lab) or BIO – 1206 Biology: Organisms Ecosystems (w/ Lab)
• HES – 2094 Anatomy and Physiology I (w/ Lab)
  • Upper-Level Liberal Arts
• HES – 2094 Anatomy and Physiology II (w/ Lab)
  • Upper-Level Liberal Arts
• PHYS – 2115 University Physics I (w/ Lab)
  •  Requires Calculus (MAT-1304) as a prerequisite.  
• PSY – 1004 General Psychology
  • Social Science 
• MATH – 1144 Elementary Statistics
  • Mathematics
• CLA – 2614 Medical Terminology
  • Upper-Level Liberal Arts

Recommended Courses

• Any Communications (WRC) Course 
• PHIL 2164 – Bioethics
  • Upper-Level Liberal Arts and Writing Intensive 

Example Course Sequence

With a health and exercise science major, the following courses are recommended in each academic year. General education requirements can be taken as needed to equal the minimum of nine credits (classes) per academic year.   

First Year

• HES – 1004 Introduction to Exercise Science 
• HES – 1114 Health and Wellness (General Education Requirement)
• BIO – 1204 Biology: Molecules and Cells  (w/ Lab)
  or BIO – 1206 Biology: Organisms Ecosystems (w/ Lab)
• PSY – 1004 General Psychology 

Second Year

• HES – 2004 Public Health 
• HES – 2094 Anatomy and Physiology I (w/ Lab) 
• HES – 2094 Anatomy and Physiology II (w/ Lab)
• MATH – 1144 Elementary Statistics 
• HES Elective 

Third Year

• HES – 3014 Physiology of Exercise (w/ Lab)
• HES – 3054 Biomechanics (w/ Lab) 
• HES – 3204 Nutrition and Energy Balance 
• CLA – 2614 Medical Terminology
• CHEM – 1055 Principles of Chemistry I (w/ Lab)
• HES Elective
• HES Elective

Fourth Year

• HES – 444 Senior Seminar 
• PHYS – 2115 University Physics I (w/ Lab)
• HES Elective
• HES Elective

Other Requirements

• Graduate Record Exam (GRE) – Many schools are now test optional, meaning the GRE may not be required. You should check the requirements of the programs you are applying for. If required, minimum scores start around 290, but recommended scores should be above 300.   
• A score of C or higher is required of all prerequisite courses. 
• Shadowing is required or highly recommended by almost all master’s in athletic training programs. Some programs require 50 or more hours of shadowing or direct patient contact. An internship (HES-4204) is recommended in the summer after the second or third year.