Pre-Physical Therapy Program
Students wishing to attend a physical therapy school should plan on at least three years of prerequisite work (90 credits), with many completing a four-year undergraduate program. Accepted students generally have a GPA of around 3.7 and no less than a C in prerequisite coursework. Students are expected to submit Graduate Record Exam (GRE) scores, which should be completed by the Spring of the year before they wish to enter physical therapy school. Students are encouraged to have documented patient interaction hours from various settings and populations, typically obtained through internships. Additional emphasis should be placed on professional development relating to service and volunteer hours.
Generally, 2-3 letters of recommendation should be obtained when applying, typically including a college professor, licensed physical therapist, and one person of the applicant’s choice. Students interested in applying to physical therapy schools will apply through an external program known as PTCAS in the summer or fall of their senior year. Preferred application deadlines are generally in early October, with a final deadline around January, while others will have a rolling deadline until filled. Students should confer with the school of their choice regarding specific requirements for admission.
Fast Facts
Degree: By earning your Bachelor’s Degree at Midland University in the Pre-Physical Therapy Program, you will be prepared to jump straight into graduate work in a professional program.
College/School: College of Health Professions/School of Health Sciences
Suggested Majors at Midland University:
Biology – View the Sample Course of Study →
Exercise Science – View the Sample Course of Study →
GPA required to enter physical therapy school: Around a 3.7 and no less than a C in prerequisite coursework
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
The pre-physical therapy program emphasizes developing communication and interpersonal skills to effectively interact with patients. This includes active listening, empathy, and the ability to explain complex medical concepts in simple terms.
Pre-Physical Therapy Course Information
These courses are recommended to be taken at Midland University, as students prepare for graduate school in the field of physical therapy as part of the Pre-Physical Therapy track. All course descriptions can be found in the Academic Catalog.
BIO125: General Biology I with Lab
BIO126: General Biology II with Lab
CHE103: General Chemistry I with Lab
CHE104: General Chemistry II with Lab
PHY151: General Physics I with Lab
PHY152: General Physics II with Lab
BIO204: Anatomy and Physiology I with lab
BIO205: Anatomy and Physiology II with lab
PSY333: Abnormal Psychology or PSY210: Developmental Psychology
Social Science (could be a Social Science course with the prefix CJU, PSY, SOC, SSC, etc.)
MTH210: Elementary Statistics
WRI101: Composition I
These courses are typically not required for graduate school in the field of Physical Therapy, but are strongly recommended and may be helpful for students who intent to attend graudate school for Physical Therapy.
HPM 220: Care & Prevention of Athletic Injuries
HPM 307: Kinesiology
HPM 312: Physiology of Exercise
BIO209: Medical Terminology
BIO305: Genetics
Program Faculty
Dr. Stephanie Hamersky
Interim Director of MAT
Email Address: hamersky@midlandu.edu
Phone Number: 402-941-6361
Dr. Chintamani S. Manish
Professor of Biology
Email Address: manish@midlandu.edu
Phone Number: 402-941-6305
Dr. Emmy Smith
Assistant Professor of Human Performance, Exercise Science, and Strength and Conditioning
Email Address: smithem@midlandu.edu
Phone Number: 402-941-6049
Key Experiences
Along their academic journey, students take part in what we call “Key Experiences.” These experiences will spark learning outside of the classroom and beyond the textbook. They get students learning first-hand about a profession, seeing the process from an up-close perspective, and thinking outside the box.
Internships, Collaborative Courses & Projects, ePortfolios
- Students will design and conduct an experiment during their Biology Capstone course. Students will prepare audio-visual presentations and create a poster to present at the Luther College of Arts and Sciences Research Fair.
- Students create a completely original organism (plant or animal) for a given set of environmental and habitat conditions that are assigned to them. Students are provided with a set of environmental conditions, location, and other pertinent information about a region. Based upon the information provided, they have to design an organism that will be perfectly adapted to that setting (they must describe the anatomical and physiological characteristics of the organism including its morphology, external characteristics, digestion, respiration, circulation, reproduction, behavioral response, and any other characteristics that are “unique” to their organism. Once the students design the organism they have to write a paper describing it along with art work. Finally, the students have to create a presentation that will be shared with the entire class.
Capstone Courses & Projects, First-Year Seminar or Experience, Collaborative Courses & Projects
- Students will be able to research emerging areas of interest relating to athlete monitoring (i.e. GPS, heart rate monitoring, wellness questionnaires, etc), rehabilitation modalities, performance measure to determine the changes across a season and/or athletic career.
- Students complete a variety of testing relating to cardiovascular fitness and rehabilitation, body composition and nutritional demands, strength, power, flexibility, and other related performance outcomes within our Warrior Performance Lab.
- Students will utilize technology to complete presentations and podcasts relating to exercise physiology, biomechanics/kinesiology, and reflect upon their internship experiences.
Popular Internship Sites
Career Outlook with an Advanced Degree
Physical therapy careers are more promising than ever before. A Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) report states that employment of physical therapists is predicted to grow 14% between 2023 and 2033, much faster than the average growth rate for all occupations.
According to the BLS, the increased demand for physical therapy will come, in part, from the large number of aging baby boomers, who are staying more active later in life than their counterparts of previous generations. Older people are more likely to experience heart attacks, strokes, and mobility-related injuries that require physical therapy for rehabilitation.
Some possible careers include:
Advanced degree holders can become clinical specialists in specific areas of physical therapy, such as orthopedics, neurology, sports medicine, or geriatrics. They may work with complex cases, develop advanced treatment protocols, and provide consultation to other healthcare professionals.
Individuals with advanced degrees in physical therapy can pursue careers as researchers, conducting studies to advance the understanding and practice of rehabilitation sciences. They may investigate new treatment techniques, assess the effectiveness of interventions, or explore the impact of various factors on patient outcomes.
Individuals with advanced degrees in physical therapy can pursue careers as researchers, conducting studies to advance the understanding and practice of rehabilitation sciences. They may investigate new treatment techniques, assess the effectiveness of interventions, or explore the impact of various factors on patient outcomes.
Advanced degree holders can work as clinical educators or mentors, providing training and supervision to physical therapy students, residents, or new practitioners. They help bridge the gap between academic knowledge and clinical practice, ensuring that clinicians are well-prepared to provide high-quality care.
With advanced knowledge of healthcare systems and rehabilitation services, physical therapists can pursue careers in healthcare administration or management. They may oversee rehabilitation departments, manage healthcare facilities, or lead quality improvement initiatives to enhance patient care.
Advanced degree holders may work as consultants, providing expertise in rehabilitation services to healthcare organizations, government agencies, or private companies. They offer guidance on program development, clinical practice guidelines, regulatory compliance, and quality assurance.
Advanced degree holders can engage in global health initiatives, working to improve access to rehabilitation services in underserved communities, developing countries, or areas affected by natural disasters or humanitarian crises. They may collaborate with international organizations, NGOs, or local healthcare providers to address global health disparities.
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