Pre-Physical Therapy
Pre-Physical Therapy
As you become a Physical Therapist, you'll play an important role in injury recovery and the restoration of specific movements and improve quality of life through prescribed exercise, hands-on care, and patient education. After evaluating patients, you'll develop recovery plans that are designed for each patient's specific needs to improve their mobility through plans of care.
Why Consider Physical Therapy?
You'll experience the rewards of helping people improve function and mobility, as you deal with injury recovery and the restoration of movements and skills.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of physical therapists is projected to grow 18 percent from 2019 to 2029, much faster than the average for all occupations.
Explore: Physical Therapy Pathways
Become a student at USM and obtain the necessary requirements to apply to physical therapy programs, with the guidance of our pathways expert!
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Undergraduate Credit Required |
Bachelor’s Degree |
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Entrance Exam |
Most PT programs require the GRE |
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Professional Schooling Required |
3-4 years of professional school; DPT - Doctorate of Physical Therapy |
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Professional Websites |
Here are some of the local or surrounding area professional schools:
- University of Mississippi Medical Center (Jackson, MS)
- William Carey University (Hattiesburg, MS)
- Louisiana State University (New Orleans, LA)
- University of South Alabama (Mobile, AL)
- Program Directory
Navigating the Application Process
Beginning early with the application process allows students to structure an academic plan of study. Physical Therapy programs do not admit based on course prerequisites and GPA alone. Most programs also have a series of additional requirements, including competitive scores and high GPA (overall and prerequisite), preparing for the GRE (Graduate Record Examinations), a submitted resume, clinical experience completed (and verified), and other requirements not listed.
We encourage you to contact our pathways expert to support you in your professional development endeavors.
Some students already have a B.A. or B.S. and then decide to pursue becoming a physical therapist. Students in this category should consult with our pre-professional office. In general, these students lack some of the science courses required by most PT schools; in some cases, the required courses may be over 10 years old, which most PT schools do not accept. It is common for these students to take the prerequisite science or non-science courses for PT school at USM as post-baccalaureate students while also working on polishing their applications and taking the MCAT.
Some post-baccalaureate students take the prerequisite courses as a non-degree student while other students choose a second major to pursue at USM. In either case, students must go through the University Admissions Office to be admitted (or re-admitted for former students) before enrolling in courses.
- Applicants must complete a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university prior to matriculation.
- Students must provide evidence of at least 40 hours observation in at least two physical therapy clinical departments or practices in their year of undergraduate study at the time of application. A maximum of 20 hours for each site is credited towards meeting the 40 hour requirement. Evidence must be provided using the Verification of Observation Form.
- Applicants must have an overall minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. (On average, applicants interviewed and accepted typically have a GPA of 3.5 or above.)
- Prerequisite courses must have been taken within the past ten years. AP or CLEP courses are not accepted. Students must make a minimum grade of C on all prerequisite courses and have a minimum prerequisite GPA of 3.0.
- More than half of the prerequisite courses must be completed by the end of the Fall semester when the application is submitted.
- Applicants must submit official Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores.
- Applicants must be able to meet the technical standards and will complete an interview if accepted.
Required courses include the following:
- General Biology - BSC 110/L & 111/L
- General Chemistry - CHE 106/L & 107/L
- General Physics or Physics with Calculus - PHY 111/L & 112/L OR PHY 201/L & 202/L
- Advanced physical or biological science with laboratory (1 course at or above the 300 level)*
- Statistics - PSY 360 or other statistics course
*The advanced science must be taken at a four-year institution. Science courses for non-majors are not acceptable. Courses with labs are greatly recommended.
William Carey University's requirements are similar to UMMC's, with the addition of an anatomy and physiology sequence (taken separately or in combined courses). All science courses should be taken with their labs. Consult their program for complete admissions requirements.
- For UMMC, apply online directly to the Doctor of Physical Therapy program at the UMMC School of Health Related Professions. New application forms are posted on or before July 1 each year for the next matriculating class. The application deadline is November 1 of the year prior to program entry. The program itself begins in May each year.
- For William Carey, the application is done in part through the Physical Therapy Centralized Application Service (PTCAS). The application deadline is November 1 of the year prior to program entry. The program itself begins in August each year.
What Should I Major In?
The “pre-physical therapy curriculum” is just a list of courses that are required for admission to PT school. It is NOT an academic major, a minor, or an emphasis area. Prerequisite courses can vary between PT schools, so it is important to check with individual schools about their requirements and deadlines.
Even if you plan to apply to a physical therapy program after taking only the courses required for admission, you must declare an academic major at USM. Explore related majors:
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