Pre-Physical Therapy

IMPORTANT: UCCS does not have a physical therapy program. Pre-Physical Therapy Prep is not a major or minor but a listing of requisite courses and recommendations needed to be eligible for admission into CU School of Medicine’s Physical Therapy program at the Anschutz Medical Campus in Aurora, CO (UCDAMC). Other schools may have different requirements, so students should check admissions requirements for all schools to which they plan on applying.

For information, contact Academic Advising at (719) 255-3260 or advising@uccs.edu.

Pre-Physical Therapy preparation offered at UCCS prepares students for candidacy into professional programs offered at other facilities. A college program leading to a bachelor’s degree is considered by the faculty and the CU School of Medicine’s Committee on Admissions to offer the best preparation for a student interested in the Doctor of Physical Therapy program. Students in the pre-physical therapy program are advised to choose a major and should plan to graduate with a Bachelor’s degree from UCCS.

NOTE: Completion of requisite coursework does not guarantee acceptance into any professional degree.

Required Courses

A bachelor’s degree (BS or BA) in a field other than physical therapy must be completed prior to matriculation into the professional program. The degree should include the following coursework.

CHEM 1401 - General Chemistry I
CHEM 1402 - General Chemistry Laboratory I
CHEM 1411 - General Chemistry II
CHEM 1412 - General Chemistry Laboratory II
HPNU 3050 - Human Anatomy
HPNU 3060 - Human Physiology
PES 1010 - Physics for Life Science I - Algebra Based
PES 1150 - General Physics Lab I Algebra Based
PES 1020 - Physics For Life Science II
PES 2150 - Physics Lab II Algebra Based
Upper-Division Science Course (3 credit hours)

Complete one upper-division (3000+ level) science course(s) in biology, chemistry, physics, exercise physiology or biomechanics.

While any upper division science in the biology, chemistry, physics or engineering departments will meet the upper division requirement, please note that field related content will provide better preparation. Examples include but are not limited to: cell biology, neuroanatomy/neurophysiology, genetics, microbiology, etc.
Psychology (6 credit hours)

PSY 1000 will not be accepted. The following courses are strongly recommended.
PSY 3280 - Abnormal Psychology
PSY 3620 - Developmental Psychology
Statistics (3 credit hours)

Choose one of the following courses.
BIOL 3000 - Biostatistics
HSCI 2060 - Health Science Statistics
HPNU 2100 - Statistics and Research Methods
PSY 2100 - Introduction to Psychological Statistics
Complete 3 credit hours of a Writing or English Composition course.
ENGL 1310 - Rhetoric and Writing I

Note:

If prerequisite science courses are older than five years, an additional 6 credit hours of upper division science coursework must be completed.

Additional Resources for Pre-Physical Therapy Students

The American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) has many in-depth resources available to prospective students: http://www.apta.org/CareersEducation/.
For more information about the CU School of Medicine’s Physical Therapy Program, requirements for admissions, and contact information, please visit: https://medschool.cuanschutz.edu/physical-therapy-program/education-programs/doctor-of-physical-therapy/apply