Course Requirements
General physical therapy school course requirements include:
- Two semesters of general biology with laboratories
- Two semesters of general chemistry with laboratories
- Two semesters of physics with laboratories
- One semester of general psychology
- One semester of developmental psychology
- One semester of statistics
- One semester of oral communication
- One semester of medical terminology*
*Can be taken as independent study course from University of Kentucky
Different programs may have different requirements. Some may require, others suggest, taking courses in anatomy and physiology and physiology of exercise.
Suggested Course Work Arrangement:
First semester
- CHEM 1055 Principles of Chemistry I (can also be taken fifth semester)
- FYS 1004 First-Year Seminar
Second semester
- CHEM 1065 Principles of Chemistry II (can also be taken sixth semester)
- BIO 1206 Integrated Concepts of Biology: Organisms and Ecosystems
- FYS 1104 First-Year Research Seminar
Third semester
- CHEM 2155 Organic Chemistry I
- BIO 1204 Integrated Concepts of Biology, Molecules and Cells
Fifth semester
- PHYS 2115 University Physics I (can also be taken seventh semester)
Sixth semester
- PHYS 2125 University Physics II (can also be taken eighth semester)
To be taken as schedule allows:
- PSY 1004 General Psychology
- PSY 2114 Human Development: Conception to Adolescence, PSY 2124 Human Development: Adulthood to Aging, or PSY-2104 Lifespan Development
- MATH 1144 Elementary Statistics
- WRC 1034 Public Speaking or other communications course
- BIO 3065 Animal Physiology or BIO 3016 Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy or both semesters of BIO 2014 Anatomy and Physiology I and BIO 2104 Anatomy and Physiology II**
- EXSC 3014 Physiology of Exercise (required for some programs)
- EXSC 2094 (BIO 2014) Anatomy and Physiology I
- EXSC 2104 (BIO 2104) Anatomy and Physiology II
GRE
The GRE is generally taken in the summer after third year in order to matriculate in the fall following graduation.
The GRE tests the following subject areas:
- Verbal Reasoning
- Sentence completion
- Analogies
- Antonyms
- Reading comprehension
- Quantitative Reasoning
- Arithmetic
- Algebra
- Geometry
- Data analysis
- Problem solving
- Quantitative comparison
- Analytical Writing
- Present your perspective on an issue
- Analyze an argument
Documentation of 50 work/volunteer hours in a physical therapy setting is required.
Competitive applicants
- Overall GPA: 3.5
- Science GPA (Biology, Chemistry, Physics): 3.5
- GRE overall score: 1050
Factors that increase competitiveness:
- Community service/volunteer work
- Experience in the field
- Leadership
- Strong communication skills