Physical Therapy

Admission Requirements

Physical therapy programs are graduate level programs (both masters and doctoral) and a bachelors degree is required for admission. However, Physical Therapy schools vary greatly in their prerequisite courses, so please use the list of courses below as a guideline. Be sure to work closely with a pre-health professions adviser to make sure you are getting the courses you need for the school(s) you plan to apply to.

Chemistry 111 and 112 (General Chemistry)
Biology 111 (Integrative Biology: Molecules and Cells)
Biology 341 and 342 (Human Anatomy and Physiology)
Physics 211 and 212 (General Physics)
Mathematics 112 (Statistics
Psychology 100 (General)
Psychology 224 (Developmental)

Some schools require additional courses in biology or sports studies. Completing Guilford College’s Foundations and Explorations requirements usually satisfy additional course requirements in English, the humanities and social sciences.

Course Recommendations

Pre-physical therapy students should consider taking Biology 111 thier first year.

Suggested Activities

Physical Therapy schools view experience in health-related fields before applying to their program as essential. Students can gain this necessary experience through internships, summer employment and volunteer work. Both the pre-health professions advisers and the Career and Community Learning Center can help students find these experiences.

Standardized Admission Exam

Graduate programs in physical therapy usually require the general test of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE).