Pre-Physical Therapy

Students can complete required prerequisite coursework and earn a baccalaureate degree at PSU before beginning their physical therapy education at a professional school such as Pacific University, Oregon State University, Western University Health Sciences, and George Fox University to earn a DPT (Doctor of Physical Therapy) degree. 

Physical therapy schools require that applicants complete a specific set of prerequisite courses prior to enrollment and typically require that students earn a baccalaureate degree before matriculating to a physical therapy school. Portland State offers a strong pre-physical therapy program whereby students complete their prerequisite coursework, requirements for a major of their choice (pre-physical therapy is not a major), and obtain assistance and support with the physical therapy school preparation, selection, and application process. Completion of the preparatory courses does not guarantee acceptance into a D.P.T. program. Admission is limited and competitive. 

Portland State University Pre-Physical Therapy Course List 

Based upon the pre-requisites of many regional and national DPT programs, PSU recommends the courses listed below as a solid foundation for pre-physical therapy students.

Successful completion of this course list will result in fulfillment of the prerequisites at many physical therapy schools; however, students are responsible for researching the requirements at the schools in which they are interested and adding any necessary extra coursework.

In addition to completing the courses listed below, pre-physical therapy students must also complete the requirements for a major as well as other graduation requirements. Most physical therapy schools require a “C” or higher in all prerequisite courses. 

DPT Program Admissions Requirements

Each D.P.T. program sets unique, program specific admission criteria; it is in a prospective applicant’s best interest to regularly review the websites and establish a connection with representatives from each individual D.P.T. program they are considering. Regional D.P.T programs include:

• George Fox University 
• Oregon State University 
• Pacific University 
• Western University of Health Sciences

PTCAS: Physical Therapist Centralized Application Service (PTCAS) is a centralized application service designed to facilitate the application process for the participating D.P.T. programs. This online application allows applicants to create a single application that will be sent to one or more of the PT programs participating in the service. PTCAS will not decide if you have met the program’s requirements or are qualified to enroll. Schools

that are not participating in PTCAS will require that you apply directly through that institution and not through PTCAS. View a list of participating and non-participating physical therapy programs on their website.

Graduate Record Examination (GRE): Most D.P.T. programs require that students take the GRE. The GRE General Test measures verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, critical thinking, and analytical writing skills that have been acquired over a long period of time and that are not related to any specific field of study.

Observation Hours: Observation hours under a practicing licensed Physical Therapist in a variety of different domains with a variety of patient populations and diagnosis is often required and always recommended

Letters of Recommendation: Most programs require 2-3 letters of recommendation, 1 from a Physical Therapist and 1 from an academic/professor is often specified.

Additional Resources:

• American Physical Therapy Association
• Oregon Physical Therapy Association