Pre-Physical Therapy Professional Program

Physical therapy is a relatively young profession, owing its start to the polio epidemics and world wars in the first half of the last century. Physical therapists stepped in to help the large numbers of young people who suffered from movement challenges.

You'll need a thorough grasp of the science of movement to get results as a physical therapist. And you'll start building that knowledge in high school biology and continue to perfect it through graduate school. As an undergrad, you can sign up for a pre-physical therapy program. This is usually not a major, but a program that includes the courses admission officers will look for when you apply to grad school.

Pre-physical therapy programs provide guidance to students as they prepare for graduate study in physical therapy. They are often concentrations within other majors, such as biology, health sciences, and physical education.

Why Grand View?

Research opportunities and assistance in pursuing internships
Highly individualized advising
Small classes taught by faculty who are recognized as accomplished teachers and researchers
State-of-the-art facilities and instrumentation

Recommended Courses

The prerequisite courses required by most Physical Therapy schools include:

ENGL 101 - English Composition, SPCH 126 - Speech (2 courses)
CHEM 111, 111L, 112, 112L - General Chemistry (8 hours with lab)
BIOL 101, 101L, 102, 102L - General Biology (8 hours with lab)
Additional upper division biology (4 credits with lab)
PHYS 131, 131L, 132, 132L - General Physics (8 hours with lab)
MATH 122 - Trigonometry / MATH 212 - Calculus, MATH 241 or 261 - Statistics
PSYC 101 - Intro to Psychology, PSYC 212 - Human Development, PSYC 320 - Abnormal Psychology
BIOL 160 - Introduction to Human Anatomy, or BIOL 420 - Gross Anatomy
BIOL 165 - Human Physiology or BIOL 335 - Mammalian Physiology
BIOL 220 - Medical Terminology

The following courses are highly recommended, but not required:

KINH 376 - Biomechanics
KINH 371 - Kinesiology
KINH 351 - Exercise Physiology
BIOL 360 - Genetics

Former Grand View Student Testimonial

A graduate of Grand View University, Taylor Woods, is now enrolled at Des Moines University in their physical therapy program. While at Grand View, Taylor majored in Biology and minored in Psychology. In her own words, Taylor says "Grand View prepared me for physical therapy. The biology program gave me the background knowledge that I needed to build upon in PT school." In addition, Taylor says, "The Gross Anatomy class at Grand View gave me an advanced anatomy experience that many students at DMU never experienced."

Taylor first learned about the PT program at Des Moines University through a class offered at Grand View called Careers in Biology. She completed research at DMU in the Mentored Research Program while she was an undergraduate at Grand View. Thanks to Grand View's guidance, Taylor is now enrolled at DMU.

Furthermore, Taylor says, "I would most definitely recommend Grand View to future students in the physical therapy pre-professional program. Grand View offers many opportunities that most schools do not. The classes offered at Grand View continuously prepare students for future careers and continued education at the graduate level. Unique classes such as Careers in Biology allows for an in-depth look at the PT field while challenging classes such as Gross Anatomy push graduate-level education. The faculty at Grand View work with their students to make connections with clinicians, get involved with research, and purse graduate school."

Frequently Asked Questions