Department of Physical Therapy

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)

1. Introductory biology/zoology with laboratory (or more recently completed biology/zoology course at upper division or graduate level with laboratory). One semester.

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 3-unit (or more) Upper division or graduate biology course (Lab only course not acceptable). Upper division or graduate level only.

Note: All biology prerequisites including advance biology MUST be listed in Biology or Zoology Departments. The following are examples of upper division courses that may meet this requirement:

histology
advanced anatomy
cell biology
advanced physiology
embryology and development
biochemistry
microbiology
biophysics

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. eg., biochemistry cannot count for upper division biology and chemistry.

SOCIAL/PSYCHOLOGY/HEALTH SCIENCE/ANTHROPOLOGY (2 different courses; min 3 units each.)

1. Introductory psychology

2. One other course from any of the above areas (content area relevant to health care, rural societies, cultural diversity, aging, health care administration, abnormal psychology, or epidemiology, etc.) Note: Marriage/Family, religion, or history courses will not meet this requirement.

COMPUTER COMPETENCE

Must be competent in working with computers; wordprocessing, database, and spreadsheet management prior to entry into the program.

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.