Professional programs in physical therapy require a doctoral degree in physical therapy (usually three years). An undergraduate degree is typically required for admission to a graduate program in physical therapy. Students interested in physical therapy should regularly check the Commission on Accreditation of Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) website for information about the requirements of selected programs and work with their advisor to identify and select the necessary courses. Physical therapy schools select students on the basis of: a) academic excellence, b) Graduate Record Exam scores, c) letters of reference from faculty members and physical therapists, d) clinical observation experiences, e) an essay and f ) an interview. Admission to physical therapy programs is competitive.
Students have pursued physical therapy programs through a variety of different routes including the athletic training and exercise science majors as well as the biology major. Please contact a faculty member in any of those areas for advice if considering applying to physical therapy graduate programs. However, students may choose any major and take the suggested prerequisites. Typical courses required before entry into a graduate level program in physical therapy are BIO 106, 205, 206; CHE 101, 102; ESS 323, 324; MAT 206, 220; PHY 101, 102; PSY 101, 240.
Some programs require BIO 121, 305; CHE 307, 308; MAT 221; PHI 213, while others allow for greater flexibility, which may include any upper-level biology course and any upper-level psychology course. It is advisable for students to review the requirements of the programs that they are considering. Most programs in physical therapy require 100 hours or more of observation in a physical therapy setting. The student may choose to do an internship in that type of setting or seek this experience outside of the class setting.
Exercise Science/Health Science Articulation with Plymouth State University Doctor of Physical Therapy Program
This agreement provides Colby-Sawyer undergraduate students a pathway to enter the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree program at Plymouth State University. The DPT program is a three-year program at PSU that is completed at the conclusion of the bachelor’s degree at Colby-Sawyer. This agreement will provide guaranteed admission for up to four qualified students from Colby-Sawyer. If there are more than four Colby-Sawyer students qualified for admission to the DPT, the four with the highest prerequisite GPAs will be granted admission to the DPT.
Program Progression
Eligibility for admittance is based upon the student's successful completion of either the BS in health science or the BS in exercise science at CSC. Students must meet the following requirements prior to DPT program admission:
- Completed PTCAS Application for the DPT program at PSU
- Completion of all Colby-Sawyer Liberal Education and major requirements indicated
- Minimum overall GPA of 3.2
- Successful completion of all prerequisite courses*, with required grade minimums
- Minimum GPA of PSU prerequisite courses of 3.2
* Prerequisites
- Biology (with lab): 4 credits
- Anatomy and Physiology I (with lab): 4credits
- Anatomy and Physiology II (with lab): 4 credits
- Chemistry I (with lab): 4 credits
- Chemistry II (with lab): 4 credits
- Physics I (with lab): 4credits
- Physics II (with lab): 4 credits
- Statistics
- Social/Behavioral Sciences - 3 courses: minimum 9 credits