Pre-Physical Therapy

About Our Program

Our program is for highly qualified and motivated incoming high school students who wish to pursue continuing education or a career in physical therapy. As you apply to the undergraduate programs, you can also apply for this program by providing all required materials for the freshman undergraduate admission application and checking the box on the application for pre-physical therapy as a "special advising option," in addition to selecting the undergraduate major of your choice. You are free to pursue any major with the pre-physical therapy track added on to your coursework.

For example, your might study engineering and management to gain a better understanding of how physical therapy equipment works and how the mechanical principles apply to the human body. Or you might choose to study psychology to learn how to motivate and direct patients and their families. Whatever you study, the specialized knowledge and skills you acquire as an undergraduate will broaden your career opportunities as a physical therapist.

Pre-Physical Therapy Program Advantages

As a pre-physical therapy student, you also enjoy the following advantages:

  • At least 50 percent of the available seats in each cohort will be held for Clarkson University pre-physical therapy undergraduate students who successfully complete all of the necessary prerequisite requirements.
  • You will have a physical therapy program adviser. In addition to your major adviser, you'll be assigned a second faculty adviser from the Department of Physical Therapy. This extra mentoring relationship adds another dimension of support to your experience. You and your physical therapy adviser will work together to define your career goals, balance your physical therapy course requirements with major requirements and make a successful transition to the Doctor of Physical Therapy program.
  • You will obtain a solid foundation in problem-based learning (PBL), which is a cornerstone of the graduate program. The pre-physical therapy courses (PT 105 & PT 305) will introduce you to this student-centered, collaborative and self-directed education model. PBL, based on patient case studies, more closely resembles actual clinical experience. It better prepares you to be a self-motivated lifelong learner, which is essential to being a competent healthcare professional.

Course Requirements for Pre-Physical Therapy Students

The Department of Physical Therapy offers two undergraduate physical therapy seminars that pre-physical therapy students must take. One is offered in the fall and one in the spring. These seminars introduce students to PBL, physical therapy, research in physical therapy and healthcare systems. 

  • PT105 Introduction to Physical Therapy I: Introduction to the profession of physical therapy, the pre-physical therapy and doctor of physical therapy programs at Clarkson, the PBL curricular model and the U.S. healthcare system.
  • PT305 Introduction to Physical Therapy II: Introduction to the requirements and process of graduate physical therapy education, participation in the PBL curricular model, and issues of professionalism in physical therapy practice.

Transition into the Doctor of Physical Therapy Program

Our students must meet the following criteria in order to be accepted into the Doctor in Physical Therapy program:

  • Complete a baccalaureate degree at Clarkson University with an overall grade point average (GPA) of greater than or equal to 3.2.
  • Have a GPA of greater than or equal to 3.2 in all prerequisite courses and no grade lower than a C in these courses.
  • Successfully pass PT105 and PT305.
  • Submit documentation of a minimum of 50 hours of observation, volunteer or work experience in physical therapy and/or another healthcare setting, of which a minimum of 30 hours must be completed under the supervision of a physical therapist.
  • Submit three letters of recommendation. One must be from a physical therapist and one from a faculty member. None can be from family, friends or clergy.
  • Submit an application to the Doctor of Physical Therapy program through the Physical Therapy Common Application Service by September 20 of your senior year.