{"id":1764,"date":"2023-01-27T15:35:44","date_gmt":"2023-01-27T15:35:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/prehealth\/?page_id=1764&#038;preview_id=1764"},"modified":"2025-05-06T15:22:50","modified_gmt":"2025-05-06T15:22:50","slug":"pre-physical-therapy","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/prehealth\/pre-physical-therapy\/","title":{"rendered":"Pre-Physical Therapy"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-advgb-columns advgb-columns-wrapper\" id=\"advgb-cols-7d850e67-afd6-4c87-a22b-f4ab49f6ad35\"><div class=\"advgb-columns-container\"><div class=\"advgb-columns advgb-columns-row advgb-is-mobile advgb-columns-2 layout-34-14 mbl-layout-stacked vgutter-10\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-advgb-column advgb-column advgb-is-three-quarters-tablet advgb-is-full-mobile\" id=\"advgb-col-46e39d64-7088-4483-add7-3a74726cfa07\"><div class=\"advgb-column-inner\" style=\"border-style:solid;border-width:1px\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-white-color has-text-color has-background\" style=\"background-color:#4f2d7f\">ABOUT PRE-PHYSICAL THERAPY<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Pre-PT students are those students interested in becoming a physical therapist by going to physical therapy school after completing their undergraduate degree. According to the American Physical Therapy Association, \u201cPhysical therapists are movement experts who improve quality of life through prescribed exercise, hands-on care, and patient education.\u201d A physical therapist, often in consultation with physicians, works with individuals of all ages who have injuries or disabilities to improve their ability to move, reduce or manage pain, restore function (if possible), and prevent future injury. Most physical therapy programs in Texas are 3-year programs with the student earning a doctoral degree in physical therapy or DPT. To be licensed to practice in Texas, a PT must pass a national licensing exam and a Texas jurisprudence exam. PTs have the opportunity to specialize and some of these specializations include: sports, orthopedic, geriatric, pediatric, and cardiovascular and pulmonary. There are currently 16 DPT programs in the state of Texas and Tarleton will adding its own PT program very soon!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-advgb-accordions advgb-accordions-9c49243d-4dc4-4e41-ab37-36e10682d2a8 advgb-accordion-wrapper\" data-collapsed=\"true\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-advgb-accordion-item advgb-accordion-item\" style=\"margin-bottom:15px\"><div class=\"advgb-accordion-header\" style=\"background-color:#4f2d7f;color:#ffffff;border-style:solid;border-width:1px;border-radius:2px\"><span class=\"advgb-accordion-header-icon\"><svg fill=\"#fff\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\"><path fill=\"none\" d=\"M0,0h24v24H0V0z\"><\/path><path d=\"M12,5.83L15.17,9l1.41-1.41L12,3L7.41,7.59L8.83,9L12,5.83z M12,18.17L8.83,15l-1.41,1.41L12,21l4.59-4.59L15.17,15 L12,18.17z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span><h3 class=\"advgb-accordion-header-title\" style=\"color:inherit\">General Prerequisite Coursework For Physical Therapy School<\/h3><\/div><div class=\"advgb-accordion-body\" style=\"border-style:solid !important;border-width:1px !important;border-color:undefined !important;border-top:none !important;border-radius:2px !important\">\n<p><strong>Undergraduate prerequisite courses for Texas PT schools:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>8 hours biological sciences<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>8 hours general chemistry<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>3 hours medical terminology<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>6 hours psychology<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>8 hours physics<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>4 hours statistics<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>8 hours of anatomy and physiology<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Additional advanced courses in STEM and social\/behavioral science are recommended<br><br>Note:<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The list of courses above will generally qualify a student to apply to most PT schools in Texas, however, considerable variation exists. It is important for the student to carefully look at prerequisites requirements at each PT school of interest and work with academic advisors to ensure timely completion.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p>In the College of Science and Mathematics, a degree in Biomedical Science with a Pre-PT concentration is the most direct path for completing prerequisite coursework in the context of a 120-hour degree. Other degrees outside of this major are perfectly acceptable, however, be aware that you will need to complete all PT school prerequisites in addition to any other requirements for your major.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-advgb-accordion-item advgb-accordion-item\" style=\"margin-bottom:15px\"><div class=\"advgb-accordion-header\" style=\"background-color:#4f2d7f;color:#ffffff;border-style:solid;border-width:1px;border-radius:2px\"><span class=\"advgb-accordion-header-icon\"><svg fill=\"#fff\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\"><path fill=\"none\" d=\"M0,0h24v24H0V0z\"><\/path><path d=\"M12,5.83L15.17,9l1.41-1.41L12,3L7.41,7.59L8.83,9L12,5.83z M12,18.17L8.83,15l-1.41,1.41L12,21l4.59-4.59L15.17,15 L12,18.17z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span><h4 class=\"advgb-accordion-header-title\" style=\"color:inherit\">Admissions Exam<\/h4><\/div><div class=\"advgb-accordion-body\" style=\"border-style:solid !important;border-width:1px !important;border-color:undefined !important;border-top:none !important;border-radius:2px !important\">\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ets.org\/gre.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Graduate Record Exam (GRE)<\/a> is the entrance exam required to apply to most DPT programs. For a student on a typical track, this exam will be taken in the spring of the third year.  Students should become familiar with what is covered on this exam as soon as possible.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-advgb-accordion-item advgb-accordion-item\" style=\"margin-bottom:15px\"><div class=\"advgb-accordion-header\" style=\"background-color:#4f2d7f;color:#ffffff;border-style:solid;border-width:1px;border-radius:2px\"><span class=\"advgb-accordion-header-icon\"><svg fill=\"#fff\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\"><path fill=\"none\" d=\"M0,0h24v24H0V0z\"><\/path><path d=\"M12,5.83L15.17,9l1.41-1.41L12,3L7.41,7.59L8.83,9L12,5.83z M12,18.17L8.83,15l-1.41,1.41L12,21l4.59-4.59L15.17,15 L12,18.17z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span><h4 class=\"advgb-accordion-header-title\" style=\"color:inherit\">Experience<\/h4><\/div><div class=\"advgb-accordion-body\" style=\"border-style:solid !important;border-width:1px !important;border-color:undefined !important;border-top:none !important;border-radius:2px !important\">\n<p>In addition to a strong academic record and competitive GRE score, the successful applicant to PT school will demonstrate a passion for physical therapy as evidenced by experience and skills. Many DPT programs require at least 100 hours of supervised shadowing by a practicing PT. Also, a student should begin early developing<strong>&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.aamc.org\/services\/admissions-lifecycle\/competencies-entering-medical-students\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">core competencies of the entering medical student<\/a><\/strong>&nbsp;as identified by the American Association of Medical Colleges (AAMC). The competencies are important for any health pre-professional student to develop.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-advgb-accordion-item advgb-accordion-item\" style=\"margin-bottom:15px\"><div class=\"advgb-accordion-header\" style=\"background-color:#4f2d7f;color:#ffffff;border-style:solid;border-width:1px;border-radius:2px\"><span class=\"advgb-accordion-header-icon\"><svg fill=\"#fff\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\"><path fill=\"none\" d=\"M0,0h24v24H0V0z\"><\/path><path d=\"M12,5.83L15.17,9l1.41-1.41L12,3L7.41,7.59L8.83,9L12,5.83z M12,18.17L8.83,15l-1.41,1.41L12,21l4.59-4.59L15.17,15 L12,18.17z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span><h4 class=\"advgb-accordion-header-title\" style=\"color:inherit\">Application Services<\/h4><\/div><div class=\"advgb-accordion-body\" style=\"border-style:solid !important;border-width:1px !important;border-color:undefined !important;border-top:none !important;border-radius:2px !important\">\n<p>PT school applicants in Texas will apply to DPT programs using the <a href=\"https:\/\/ptcas.liaisoncas.com\/applicant-ux\/#\/login\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Physical Therapy Centralized Application Service (PTCAS)<\/a>.  This typically occurs between the 3rd and 4th year of your undergraduate degree.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-advgb-column advgb-column advgb-is-one-quarter-tablet advgb-is-full-mobile\" id=\"advgb-col-b7c59750-2937-4d16-8167-9a53056bbf58\"><div class=\"advgb-column-inner\" style=\"border-style:solid;border-width:1px\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-cyan-bluish-gray-background-color has-text-color has-background has-medium-font-size\" style=\"color:#4f2d7f\"><strong>Programs<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-advgb-accordions advgb-accordions-66ccd489-133f-4db1-a8cb-f11453c7c53e advgb-accordion-wrapper\" data-collapsed=\"true\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-advgb-accordion-item advgb-accordion-item\" style=\"margin-bottom:15px\"><div class=\"advgb-accordion-header\" style=\"background-color:#abb8c3;color:#4f2d7f;border-style:solid;border-width:1px;border-radius:2px\"><span class=\"advgb-accordion-header-icon\"><svg fill=\"#fff\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\"><path fill=\"none\" d=\"M0,0h24v24H0V0z\"><\/path><path d=\"M12,5.83L15.17,9l1.41-1.41L12,3L7.41,7.59L8.83,9L12,5.83z M12,18.17L8.83,15l-1.41,1.41L12,21l4.59-4.59L15.17,15 L12,18.17z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span><h4 class=\"advgb-accordion-header-title\" style=\"color:inherit\">Texas Physical Therapy Programs<\/h4><\/div><div class=\"advgb-accordion-body\" style=\"border-style:solid !important;border-width:1px !important;border-color:undefined !important;border-top:none !important;border-radius:2px !important\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table><tbody><tr><td><a href=\"https:\/\/www.angelo.edu\/departments\/physical-therapy\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Angelo State University<\/a><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><a href=\"https:\/\/physicaltherapy.robbins.baylor.edu\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Baylor University<\/a><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hsutx.edu\/academics\/graduate-programs\/doctorate-physical-therapy\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Hardin-Simmons University<\/a><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/dpt\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/dpt\/\">Tarleton State University<\/a><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><a href=\"https:\/\/www.health.txst.edu\/pt\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Texas State University<\/a><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ttuhsc.edu\/health-professions\/doctor-of-physical-therapy\/default.aspx\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Texas Tech University Health Science Center<\/a><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><a href=\"https:\/\/twu.edu\/physical-therapy\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Texas Woman&#8217;s University &#8211; Dallas and Houston Campuses<\/a><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><a href=\"https:\/\/www.usa.edu\/college-of-rehabilitative-sciences\/doctor-physical-therapy\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">University of St Augustine for Health Sciences &#8211; Austin and Dallas<\/a><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><a href=\"https:\/\/physical-therapy.uiw.edu\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">University of the Incarnate Word<\/a><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><a href=\"https:\/\/www.umhb.edu\/graduate\/physical-therapy\/home\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">University of Mary-Hardin Baylor<\/a><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><a href=\"https:\/\/www.unthsc.edu\/school-of-health-professions\/physical-therapy\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">University of North Texas Health Science Center<\/a><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><a href=\"https:\/\/uthscsa.edu\/health-professions\/programs\/doctor-physical-therapy\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio<\/a><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><a href=\"https:\/\/www.utep.edu\/chs\/pt\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">University of Texas El Paso<\/a><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><a href=\"https:\/\/shp.utmb.edu\/phyt\/home\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston<\/a><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><a href=\"https:\/\/www.utsouthwestern.edu\/education\/school-of-health-professions\/programs\/physical-therapy\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas<\/a><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><a href=\"https:\/\/www.baylor.edu\/graduate\/pt\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">US Army &#8211; Baylor University<\/a><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-cyan-bluish-gray-color has-text-color has-background wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/prehealth\/health-pre-professions-scholars-program-hppsp\/\" style=\"border-radius:22px;background-color:#4f2d7f\">Are you seeking a degree in the College and Science and Mathematics? Do you plan to go to <strong>physical therapy school<\/strong>? If so, learn about the <strong>COSM Health Pre-Professions Scholars Program<\/strong> and request to join today!<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<style class=\"advgb-styles-renderer\">#advgb-col-46e39d64-7088-4483-add7-3a74726cfa07>.advgb-column-inner{}@media screen and (max-width: 1023px) {#advgb-col-46e39d64-7088-4483-add7-3a74726cfa07>.advgb-column-inner{}}@media screen and (max-width: 767px) {#advgb-col-46e39d64-7088-4483-add7-3a74726cfa07>.advgb-column-inner{}}#advgb-col-b7c59750-2937-4d16-8167-9a53056bbf58>.advgb-column-inner{}@media screen and (max-width: 1023px) {#advgb-col-b7c59750-2937-4d16-8167-9a53056bbf58>.advgb-column-inner{}}@media screen and (max-width: 767px) {#advgb-col-b7c59750-2937-4d16-8167-9a53056bbf58>.advgb-column-inner{}}#advgb-cols-7d850e67-afd6-4c87-a22b-f4ab49f6ad35{}@media screen and (max-width: 1023px) {#advgb-cols-7d850e67-afd6-4c87-a22b-f4ab49f6ad35{}}@media screen and (max-width: 767px) {#advgb-cols-7d850e67-afd6-4c87-a22b-f4ab49f6ad35{}}#advgb-col-46e39d64-7088-4483-add7-3a74726cfa07>.advgb-column-inner{}@media screen and (max-width: 1023px) {#advgb-col-46e39d64-7088-4483-add7-3a74726cfa07>.advgb-column-inner{}}@media screen and (max-width: 767px) {#advgb-col-46e39d64-7088-4483-add7-3a74726cfa07>.advgb-column-inner{}}#advgb-col-b7c59750-2937-4d16-8167-9a53056bbf58>.advgb-column-inner{}@media screen and (max-width: 1023px) {#advgb-col-b7c59750-2937-4d16-8167-9a53056bbf58>.advgb-column-inner{}}@media screen and (max-width: 767px) {#advgb-col-b7c59750-2937-4d16-8167-9a53056bbf58>.advgb-column-inner{}}<\/style>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":192,"featured_media":580,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"template-fullwidth.php","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"advgb_blocks_editor_width":"default","advgb_blocks_columns_visual_guide":"enable","footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-1764","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"acf":[],"coauthors":[],"author_meta":{"author_link":"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/prehealth\/author\/sanderford-2\/","display_name":"sanderford"},"relative_dates":{"created":"Posted 3 years ago","modified":"Updated 12 months ago"},"absolute_dates":{"created":"Posted on January 27, 2023","modified":"Updated on May 6, 2025"},"absolute_dates_time":{"created":"Posted on January 27, 2023 3:35 pm","modified":"Updated on May 6, 2025 3:22 pm"},"featured_img_caption":"","featured_img":false,"series_order":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/prehealth\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1764","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/prehealth\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/prehealth\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/prehealth\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/192"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/prehealth\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1764"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/prehealth\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1764\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1810,"href":"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/prehealth\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1764\/revisions\/1810"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/prehealth\/wp-json\/"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/prehealth\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1764"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}