Please note the importance of advising. The information provided in this brochure and in the accompanying links below is not a substitute for conversations with your advisor! consult the Health Careers Advisement Office to develop a plan that suits your own strengths, interests, and background for the pre-health profession of interest, this will include the examination the pre-requites for the pre-health program of choice. Note that the stronger you perform in your undergraduate prerequisite coursework, the more competitive you will be for graduate school (This brochure is provided as a guide and given that its details may vary, students are advised to contact respective program’s website or resources from the respective associations).
Physical therapy helps people to improve and restore movement and function, manage pain, reduce the symptoms of many chronic (long-term) conditions and diseases and to recover from and prevent injury.
“Physical therapists are evidence-based, healthcare professionals who diagnose and treat individuals of all ages who have medical problems or other health-related conditions that limit their abilities to move and perform functional activities in their daily lives. They offer cost effective treatment that improves mobility and relieves pain, reduces the need for surgery and prescription drugs, and allows patients to participate in a recovery plan designed for their specific needs. In addition, physical therapist work with individuals to prevent the loss of mobility before it occurs by developing fitness and wellness-oriented programs for healthier and more active lifestyles. Physical therapists provide care for people in a variety of settings, including hospitals, private practices, outpatient clinics, home health agencies, schools, sports and fitness facilities, work settings, and nursing homes. State licensure is required in each state in which a physical therapist practices.” -NAAHP Fact Sheet
American Physical Therapy Association
The American Physical Therapy Association indicate building a community that advances the profession of physical therapy to improve the health of society. Physical therapist services include evaluation and treatments provided by licensed physical therapists or physical therapist assistants. For additional information, visit the website of APTA: American Physical Therapy Association | APTA
Continue career development by pursuing a post-professional degree. Most post professional degree programs also count toward state continuing education requirements.
Clinical Educator Development is intended for health care providers who work primarily in a clinical setting and are interested in developing their teaching abilities.
Physical therapy provides numerous opportunities to lead—in your clinic, in your community, or in your association.
Physical Therapist Education and Licensure
To practice as a physical therapist in the U.S., you must earn a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from a Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education-accredited physical therapist education program and pass a state licensure exam. The length of professional DPT programs is typically three years. Primary content areas in the curriculum may include, but are not limited to, biology/anatomy, cellular histology, physiology, exercise physiology, biomechanics, kinesiology, neuroscience, pharmacology, pathology, behavioral sciences, communication, ethics/values, management sciences, finance, sociology, clinical reasoning, evidence-based practice, cardiovascular and pulmonary, endocrine, and metabolic, and musculoskeletal.
Approximately 80% of the DPT curriculum is classroom (didactic) and lab study and the remaining 20% is dedicated to clinical education. PT students spend on average 27.5 weeks in their final clinical experience.
Most DPT programs require applicants to earn a bachelor's degree prior to admission. Other programs offer a 3+3 curricular format in which three years of specific preprofessional (undergraduate/pre-PT) courses must be taken before the student can advance into a three-year professional DPT program. A few programs offer freshman entry, recruiting students directly from high school into a guaranteed admissions program. High school students accepted into these programs can automatically advance into the professional phase of the DPT program, pending the completion of specific undergraduate courses and any other stated contingencies, e.g., minimum GPA.
The Physical Therapist Centralized Application Service allows applicants to use a single web-based application and one set of materials to apply to multiple DPT programs through the Physical Therapist Centralized Application Service (PTCAS)
Former COVID-19 patients may benefit from tailored physical rehabilitation services, according to a study released by The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in collaboration with Select Medical, Select Physical Therapy's parent company. Based on data from 1,295 post-COVID-19 patients, the findings were published in Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, the pdf of this report can be obtained from the following link:
Licensed physical and occupational therapists tailor a plan of care to address patients’ specific needs and goals to resume pre-COVID activities and routine. The Recovery and Reconditioning program launched in June 2020 amid the pandemic and was developed in partnership with leading physicians, including physiatrists, pulmonologists, infectious disease specialists as well as physical and occupational therapists and speech-language pathologists.
The Physical Therapist Centralized Application Service (PTCAS) is a service of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA). PTCAS allows applicants to use a single application and one set of materials to apply to multiple DPT programs.
Pre-Requisote Courses
Successful completion of all General Education Requirements. The prerequisites to a selection of Physical Therapy Schools can be found in the following pdf
HCAO PHYSICAL THERAPY PREREQUISITES ExportPdf_20210912_035352.pdf
When looking at online DPT programs, it is important to find a program that fits your professional needs. Many online options are for transitional Doctor of Physical Therapy (TDPT) programs, which are designed for students who already have a background in physical therapy (many of them became PTs before a doctorate was required and complete a TDPT to increase their knowledge). There are also a couple of PhD options, which are not designed to prepare entry level physical therapy students for clinical practice. Neither TDPTs nor PhDs in physical therapy are accredited by CAPTE. CAPTE is an accrediting agency that is nationally recognized by the US Department of Education (USDE) and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). CAPTE grants specialized accreditation status to qualified entry-level education programs for physical therapists and physical therapist assistants.
Funding for physical therapy degree can be challenging. Several physical therapy and health care specific scholarships and loan repayment programs are available for students to apply. Each scholarship is offered at the state or national level, so that you don’t have to sift through school specific scholarships. It is important to check the school website to see if they offer any scholarships. Please visit the following link for additional information:
Required Courses Offered at Cal State LA
- BIOL 1100 - Principles of Biology I
- BIOL 1200 - Principles of Biology II
- BIOL 2010 - Human Anatomy and Physiology I
- BIOL 2020 - Human Anatomy and Physiology II
- CHEM 1100 - General Chemistry I
- CHEM 1110 - General Chemistry II
- PHYS 1100 - Physics or PHYS 2100 - General Physics I: Mechanics
- PHYS 1200 - Physics or PHYS 2200 - General Physics II: Electromagnetism and Circuits
- MATH 2740 - Introduction to Statistics or BIOL 3000 - Biostatistics
- PSY 1500 - Introductory Psychology
- Recommended
- Medical Terminology - not offered at Cal State L.A.
The Cal State LA Health Professions Advising Office (HPAO)
We encourage all pre-health students, whether you're just starting out or you're ready to apply, to frequently visit HCAO. The office offers one-on-one advising that's tailored to pre-health students. You can get advising on prerequisite courses, extracurricular opportunities, and personalized help throughout the entire application process. You are encouraged to join the HCAO Pre-Health Organization Club where you will meet with students of the same career persuasion.