Physical Therapy Program Prerequisites and Policies

a student working with a patient

Timelines for Prerequisite Requirements
 

  • To be completed at the time of application. Applicants not submitting official GRE scores may not be considered for a personal interview.
    • GRE Analytical Writing score
       
  • To be completed before the program starts. Applicants not completing these items before the program starts will not be permitted to enroll into the program (due by July 15 after acceptance).
    • Bachelor's degree with a major of the student's choice
    • All listed prerequisite courses
    • Observation hours
  • At least 50 hours of observation in physical therapy practice settings are required, including at least 25 hours in acute care, in-hospital settings 
  • Sub-acute and any other non-acute care settings do not satisfy the requirement for acute care, in-hospital settings. The program encourages you to visit the APTA website for the definition of acute care and descriptions of that setting.
  • Hours worked as an aide in a PT setting may be counted toward the required observation hours.
  • A personal interview at the invitation of the selection committee is required for admission.
  • GRE test scores must be less than five years old.
  • Official scores must be sent through PTCAS at the time of application (School Code: 0211).
  • All prerequisite courses/labs must be completed at an accredited institution.
  • All prerequisite courses must be completed IN PERSON, except for Medical Terminology which may be completed online.
  • Prerequisite courses must be completed with a grade of "C" or above.
  • All courses must have defined objectives, a course description, an objective grading system, and meet the program’s content expectations.
  • Courses must be taken on a graded basis. Pass/fail courses are not acceptable.
  • Biological science, chemistry, and physics courses must all include significant laboratory experiences.
  • It is recommended that prerequisite courses in Biology, Exercise Physiology, Anatomy, and Physiology be taken within ten years of applying to the program.
  • The program will NOT accept advanced placement (AP) courses to fulfill prerequisites.

General Prerequisites

  • General Biology with lab and another course in Biological sciences (not botany) with or without lab: 6 semester credits/9 quarter hours minimum.
  • Human Anatomy with Lab: 4 semester units/5 quarter hours minimum.
  • Human Physiology with Lab: 4 semester units/5 quarter hours minimum.
  • General Chemistry with lab: 8 semester units/12 quarter hours minimum.
  • General Physics with lab: 8 semester units/12 quarter hours minimum.
  • Abnormal Psychology: 3 semester units/4 quarter hours minimum.
  • Statistics: 3 semester units/4 quarter hours minimum.
  • Exercise Physiology: 3 semester units/4 quarter hours minimum.
  • Medical Terminology: 1-3 semester units/ 2-4 quarter hours minimum.

→ View the Approved Prerequisite List

While every effort has been made to create an accurate list, it is the applicant’s responsibility to be aware of the prerequisite requirements.  Colleges and universities do re-organize, rename, add and remove courses, course information and hours so the information above may not be accurate or up-to-date. If an applicant has questions they can contact Admissions at ptadmissions@pacific.edu for clarifications or to see if another course may meet the requirement.