Selecting a Major

Many pre-physical therapy students select Exercise Science as a major. However, students may select any undergraduate major to chart their course of studies.  When selecting a major, two points to consider are the overlap between major requirements and physical therapy school prerequisites and interest in major content coursework.

There is no pre-physical therapy major at Lindenwood. Rather, select your preferred major and notify your academic advisor so they can work with you to ensure proper enrollment in physical therapy school prerequisite courses.   

Prerequisite Coursework

Prerequisite coursework varies from one physical therapy program to the next. Below are the most common requirements, with Lindenwood course numbers included:

• 2 semesters of General Chemistry with Labs
  • CHM 23000 General Chemistry 1
  • CHM 23100 General Chemistry 2/CHM 24100 General Chemistry 2 Laboratory
  • CHM 23200 General Chemistry 3/CHM 24200 General Chemistry 3 Laboratory
  • Notes: Since CHM 23000 does not have a lab, students must progress through CHM 23200/CHM 24200. A placement exam is available for students to demonstrate competency in CHM 23000.
• 2 semesters of General Biology with Labs
  • BSC 24000 Introduction to Biological Diversity
  • BSC 24400 Introduction to Cellular and Molecular Biology
• 2 semesters of Anatomy and Physiology with Labs
  • BSC 22700 Anatomy and Physiology I
  • BSC 22800 Anatomy and Physiology II
• 2 semesters of Physics with Labs
  • PHY 25100 Introductory Physics I
  • PHY 25200 Introductory Physics II
• Psychology
  • PSY 10000 Principles of Psychology
• Statistics
  • MTH 14100 Basic Statistics or MTH 24100 Statistics for Natural Sciences
• Other potential common prerequisites include
  • HFS 18500 Medical Terminology
  • PSY 30300 Abnormal Psychology
  • PHRL 21200 Ethics, PHRL 21201 Contemporary Ethics, PHRL 21201 Bioethics

Beyond the common prerequisites above, requirements will vary from one physical therapy program to the next. It is important for the student to research the requirements of the schools they wish to apply early so that a degree plan can be designed appropriately.

Observation Hours

Many physical therapy programs have required observation hours. The requirements vary between schools. 

Physical Therapist Centralized Application Service (PTCAS) has specific information about program requirements for observation hours.

GRE

Many physical therapy schools require prospective students to take the GRE (Graduate Record Examination)

Students often prepare and complete the GRE in the summer before their senior year

When sending your GRE scores to physical therapy programs, make sure to use the correct school code. PTCAS has a list of last acceptable test dates and program codes.

Additional information about the GRE, including test centers and dates, ID requirements, and more.

Competitive Admissions

American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) outlines the overall admissions process.

Competitive overall GPA and science GPA are important in the admissions process. The APTA reports that the average cumulative GPA of accepted students in 2017-2018 was 3.57.

The APTA reports that self-reported GRE percentile scores for accepted applicants were around 54% verbal, 47% quantitative, and 57% analytical.

Articulation Agreement

Lindenwood has established articulation agreements with other institutions to provide benefits to our students. Students, of course, are not limited to the programs in the articulation agreements. 

Rockhurst University

• A maximum number of 2 qualifying Lindenwood students will be automatically accepted into the Rockhurst Physical Therapy program.
• Additional information, requirements, and program plan.