Program: Physical Therapy, Preparatory - University of Nevada, Reno

University General Course Catalog 2015-2016

Mar 13, 2025

A physical therapist is a healthcare professional concerned with restoration and maintenance of function following disease or injury. Their patients include accident and stroke victims, injured athletes, children with disabilities and people with minor joint or muscle aches. The goal of therapy is to improve circulation, strengthen muscles, restore motion, correct deformities, relieve pain and expedite recovery. In addition to clinical work, physical therapists can advance into the areas of research, administration, supervision and teaching.

Personal qualifications important to physical therapists include patience, empathy and warmth, strong interpersonal skills, and the ability to instruct and motivate. Patients often are suffering emotional as well as physical stress, and treatment requires sensitivity in addition to technical proficiency on the part of the therapist.

Students obtain a bachelor’s degree, while simultaneously fulfilling requirements for entrance into a physical therapy degree program. Practicum experience is required to help students clarify career goals and provide opportunities to consult practitioners who have current information about the profession. Most schools require 100 to 200 hours of actual work or volunteer experience prior to admission.

Required Pre-Physical Therapy Course Work

Pre-physical therapy is not a major, but a set of courses required by physical therapy programs for admission. Any major is appropriate as long as the student fulfills all pre-physical therapy requirements, be it through required courses or elective courses. Choose a major according to your strengths and interests. It is wise to work toward a degree in any area which would serve as an attractive alternative in the event you were deterred from your goal in physical therapy. High school students are advised to gain a strong foundation in math and sciences.

Due to the dynamic nature of physical therapy education, the prerequisite courses set by each program are subject to change. It is the applicant’s responsibility to determine the requirements of the school(s) of his/her choice and to fulfill these requirements before the projected date of entrance.

All required course work must be taken for a letter grade. The basic course requirements of the majority of physical therapy programs are listed below.

Chemistry

General

CHEM 121A - General Chemistry I (3 units) AND
CHEM 121L - General Chemistry Laboratory I (1 unit)
CHEM 122A - General Chemistry II (3 units) AND
CHEM 122L - General Chemistry Laboratory II (1 unit)
OR
CHEM 201 - General Chemistry for Scientists and Engineers I (4 units)
CHEM 202 - General Chemistry for Scientists and Engineers II (4 units)

Organic

CHEM 220A - Introductory Organic Chemistry Lecture (3 units)
CHEM 220L - Introductory Organic Chemistry Laboratory (1 unit)
OR
CHEM 241 - Organic Chemistry I (3 units)
CHEM 242 - Organic Chemistry II (3 units)
CHEM 345 - Organic Chemistry Laboratory (2 units)
OR
CHEM 341 - Organic Chemistry for Scientists and Professionals I (3 units)
CHEM 342 - Organic Chemistry for Scientists and Professionals II (3 units)
CHEM 345 - Organic Chemistry Laboratory
(2 units)

Physics

General

PHYS 151 - Gen Physics I & Lab (4 units)
PHYS 152 - General Physics II & Lab (4 units)

Biological Sciences

Biology

BIOL 190 - Introduction to Cell and Molecular Biology (3 units)
BIOL 191 - Introduction Organismal Biology (3 units)
BIOL 192 - Principles of Biological Investigation (2 units)
BIOL 223A - Human Anatomy and Physiology I Lecture (3 units) AND
BIOL 223L - Human Anatomy and Physiology I Lab (1 unit)
BIOL 224A - Human Anatomy and Physiology II Lecture (3 units) AND
BIOL 224L - Human Anatomy and Physiology II Lab (1 unit)

Psychology

PSY 101 - General Psychology (3 units)
PSY 441 - Abnormal Psychology (3 units)

Statistics

There are several courses from which to choose, please refer to the Course Offerings section of this catalog.

Note(s):

In addition, other courses such as calculus, computer science, oral communication, microbiology, sociology and exercise physiology are required by some schools. Check the requirements of each school to which you are going to apply.

Application Process

Applications to physical therapy programs are made during fall semester a year in advance of expected enrollment. Most physical therapy schools belong to a centralized application service (PTCAS) that allows students to apply through one initial application. PTCAS applications are submitted approximately one year prior to entering physical therapy school. For more information go to http://www.ptcas.org. Schools of physical therapy usually do not accept students with grade point averages below 3.0. Most schools require a statement of purpose as well.

Letters of Recommendation: Most programs require that the applicant send two or three letters of recommendation. It is advisable that one letter be from a physical therapist, preferably one with whom you have worked. Also letters from science instructors and/or former employers may be required.