ISU Department of Physical Therapy

DEPARTMENT OF PHYSICAL THERAPY

Chair and Professor: Urfer
Professor: Dunkle
Assistant Professor: Alexander, La Pier Academic Coordinator of Clinical Education: Sirotnak Clinical Affiliate Instructor: Creelman

The Department of Physical Therapy offers a graduate level program for students wanting to enter the profession of physical therapy. The program is fully accredited by the American Physical Therapy Association.

Pre-Physical Therapy Preparation

Preparation should consist of a strong background in natural and social sciences. Any undergraduate major is acceptable.

A 3.00 overall GPA for all prerequisite coursework and a 3.0 GPA in each science area is required for consideration for admission to the program. Applicants must additionally meet all requirements for admission to the Graduate School. In addition to specific course prerequisites applicants will have to demonstrate competence in using common computer programs and will have to provide evidence of having worked in a physical therapy setting as an aide or volunteer. Idaho State University courses which meet the specific course prerequisites are:

*BIOLOGY (4 courses)

Introductory biology with laboratory (or more recently completed similar course at upper division or graduate level). One semester or quarter. 2 & 3. Anatomy and physiology with laboratory (vertebrate or human). (2 semesters or 2-3 quarters) NOTE: human anatomy and physiology courses MUST be listed in Biology or
Zoology Departments for fulfillment of this requirement.
4. Additional biology course. Upper division (300 level or above) or graduate. NOTE: All biology prerequisites including advanced biology MUST be listed in Biology or Zoology Departments. The following courses will meet this requirement:
```
     histology
     advanced anatomy
     cell biology
     advanced physiology
     embryology and development
     biochemistry
     microbiology
     biophysics
```
*CHEMISTRY (2 courses)
1 & 2. Introductory chemistry for science majors with laboratory (sequence of two semesters or 2-3 quarters). More recent upper division or graduate courses in organic, bio, and physiological chemistry may be considered in meeting this requirement.
*PHYSICS (2 courses)
1 & 2. Introductory physics for science majors with laboratory (sequence of two semesters or 2-3 quarters) . More recent upper division or graduate courses may be considered in meeting this requirement.
*MATH (2 courses)
1. College algebra, trigonometry, calculus or course work above this level.
2. Statistics (lower, upper division or more recent graduate course). *One course cannot account for two areas. e.g., biochemistry cannot count for upper division biology and chemistry.
  SOCIAL/HEALTH SCIENCE (4 different courses)
  A. Sociology (must average-3.0)
  1. Introductory sociology or anthropology course (or more recent graduate level)
  2. Advanced sociology or anthropology (200 level or above) course relevant to health care, rural societies, cultural diversity, and administration B. Psychology (must-average-3.O)
    3. Introductory psychology course (or more recent graduate level)
    4. Advanced psychology (200 level or above) chosen from one of the following:
```
     abnormal psychology
     physiological psychology
     perception
     developmental psychology or
     child psychology
     social psychology
```
    COMPUTER SCIENCE (1 course)
    Undergraduate students preparing for physical therapy should choose a major which is of interest to them and which will assist in completion of prerequisite course work. Baccalaureate students will have advisors in their major department. Non-degree students who have completed a baccalaureate degree and who are completing prerequisites for physical therapy will be assigned advisors in the Department of Physical Therapy. For further information on physical therapy entrance requirements and program description refer to the Graduate Catalog.