Required courses
View a list of required courses for pre-professional programs in the Course Catalog
Pre-physical therapy
Physical therapists (PTs) are health care professionals who diagnose and treat individuals of all ages with medical problems limiting their abilities to move and perform functional activities. Doctors refer patients to a physical therapist for conditions such as low back pain, arthritis and broken bones as well as those recovering from surgery, accidents, strokes and heart disease. Physical therapists help patients decrease pain and improve strength. They must evaluate the patient’s posture, balance, strength, muscle function and range of motion. When their evaluation is complete, therapists write a treatment plan which includes the types of treatment to be used, the purpose and the intended outcome.
Pre-physical therapy timeline
- Meet with a pre-PT peer advisor and your academic advisor
- Begin basic science courses (pre-calculus, general chemistry, introductory biology, etc.)
- Join campus student organizations (i.e. Nevada Physical Therapy Club, etc.)
- Get tutoring if you need it!
- Seek and begin volunteer/ community experience (and continue throughout undergraduate years)
- Choose a major, if you haven't already done so
- Explore all health career options
- Start becoming familiar with requirements for various programs
- Seek summer internships, research experience, shadowing hours, and/or other opportunities
- Research schools in which you are interested (utilize PTCAS Program Directory to start)
- Attend the University Professional and Graduate School Fair
- Make a list of schools you are interested in and research them thoroughly
- Find out the earliest date to submit an application
- Prepare for and take the GRE by late spring – summer
- Reality check: What are your chances? GPA? Activities? GRE scores?
- Apply to schools (anytime from late spring through mid fall) Consider taking valuable electives: additional/upper-division biology, kinesiology courses, etc.
- Ask people to write letters of recommendation
- Retake GRE, if necessary
- Confirm that you meet graduation requirements
- Confirm letters of recommendation or find alternates if necessary
- Complete secondary applications if necessary
- Prepare for interviews
- Apply for WICHE, if applicable
- Confirm your commitment
- Seek honors & scholarships for graduate school
- Send appropriate people thank you notes and inform them of your success or future plans