Pre-Physical Therapy
Introduction
Students interested in a career in physical therapy may pursue any major along with completing specific prerequisites. Physical therapy schools typically require a minimum of 90 credit hours be completed at the undergraduate level and many require the bachelor degree to be completed prior to enrolling. Students must gain a thorough understanding of the profession through a range of shadowing experiences and for many schools, earn a competitive score on the GRE. Students should work with the Pre-Health advisor beginning in the first college year to select appropriate coursework based on their schools of interest and to plan appropriate co-curricular experiences to develop a high quality application. In addition to the information in this section, please check the general information at the pre-medical and pre-health section of the catalog.
Early Assurance Programs
Canisius students may apply to early assurance programs (4+3) such as the State University of New York Upstate Medical University (Syracuse, NY). Students apply to the Upstate program at the time they apply to Canisius from high school or during the sophomore year at Canisius.
Guaranteed Admission Program
Canisius students in the Sports and Exercise Health Care major meeting all requirements are guaranteed admissions to the D'Youville University Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program. Contact the Pre-Medical Center for specific requirments for this program.
Recommended Pre-Physical Therapy Courses
Academic admission requirements vary by school, but usually include the following courses:
English
One year of English composition or the Honors Program equivalent:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select one of the following: | ||
| Option 1: | ||
| ENG 111 | Academic Writing | 3 |
| ENG 112 | Writing about Literature | 3 |
| Option 2: | ||
| HON 101 | Honors English | 3 |
| and an Honors Literature course | 3 | |
Biology
At least one year of general biology and one year of anatomy/physiology with laboratories:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| General Biology | ||
| BIO 111 & 111L | Introductory Biology I and Introductory Biology Laboratory I | 4 |
| BIO 112 & 112L | Introductory Biology II and Introductory Biology Laboratory II | 4 |
| Anatomy/Physiology | ||
| Select one of the following: | ||
Option 1: | ||
| BIO 114 & 114L | Human Biology: Introduction to Human Anatomy and Physiology and Human Biology: Introduction to Human Anatomy and Physiology Laboratory | 4 |
| BIO 115 & 115L | Musculoskeletal Anatomy and Physiology and Musculoskeletal Anatomy and Physiology Laboratory | 4 |
Option 2: | ||
| BIO 324 & 324L | Human Anatomy and Human Anatomy Lab | 4 |
| BIO 340 & 340L | Physiology and Physiology Laboratory | 4 |
Chemistry
One year of general chemistry with laboratory:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| CHM 111 & 111L | General Chemistry I and General Chemistry I Laboratory | 4 |
| CHM 112 & 112L | General Chemistry II and General Chemistry II Laboratory | 4 |
Physics
One year of introductory physics with laboratory. A student's major may dictate the option they should select:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select one of the following: | ||
| Option 1: | ||
| PHY 201 & 201L | College Physics I and College Physics I Laboratory | 4 |
| PHY 202 & 202L | College Physics II and College Physics II Laboratory | 4 |
| Option 2: | ||
| PHY 223 & 223L | General Physics for Physical Science Majors I and General Physics for Physical Science Majors I Laboratory | 4 |
| PHY 224 & 224L | General Physics for Physical Science Majors II and General Physics for Physical Science Majors I Laboratory | 4 |
Mathematics
One semester of statistics is required and one semester of calculus is recommended as a prerequisite for physics.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Statistics | ||
| PSY 201 | Basic Statistics for Behavioral Sciences | 3 or 4 |
| or MAT 141 | Inferential Statistics and Computers for Science | |
| or KIN 398 | Statistics and Research Design | |
| One calculus course is recommended | ||
| MAT 111 | Calculus I | 4 |
Psychology
One semester of developmental psychology. Note that some schools require additional course(s) in psychology such as PSY 101, PSY 102, and/or PSY 303. Please work with the Pre-Health advisor to determine coursework that aligns to your schools of interest.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| PSY 203 | Lifespan Developmental Psychology | 3 |
Additional Pre-Physical Therapy Courses
Some schools recommend additional coursework from the following:
Exercise Science: Courses in Kinesiology (KIN 235) and Exercise Physiology (KIN 336, KIN 336L) are helpful.
Medical Terminology (HRP 111) is helpful.
Social Science and Humanities: Students should select challenging courses in areas such as philosophy, ethics, literature, behavioral and social sciences, etc., to help develop strong critical analysis and reading skills. Sociology (SOC 110) is recommended.
Elective Courses
HRP 101 allows students to explore different health professions.
HRP 111 introduces students to medical terminology.
HRP 201 and HRP 202 allow students to explore areas of medicine in more depth.
HRP 498 is an internship in medical informatics. A medical scribe internship is also available.
HRP 498A is a medical service learning trip.
