Physical Therapy (also known as physiotherapy) and Occupational Therapy involve using physical methods(e.g., manipulation, traction, exercise, massage, hot/cold therapy, etc.) to assess, diagnose, and treat injury, disability or disease.
Today's physical & occupational therapists work closely with patients of all ages, to help them recover from and/or manage a wide variety of physical challenges.
CNU has a Guaranteed Admissions Agreement with Old Dominion University School of Physical Therapy.
Most Physical Therapy (and Occupational Therapy) programs require only two semesters of chemistry, at least one of which includes organic and biochemistry. This can be satisfied with CHEM 103/L - 104/L. If you are not totally certain of which medical field you will ultimately pursue, or to be eligible for any programs, you might consider the two year chemistry sequence.
Pre-requisites for applying to a typical physical therapy program:
- BIOL 211/211L & BIOL 213/213L for Biology majors entering Fall 2010 and later, or all non-Biology majors (non-BIOL majors will need special permission to enroll in these courses; Procedure for non-BIOL majors to register for BIOL courses);
- Biology majors entering prior to Fall 2010 must take BIOL 151/151L & BIOL 201/201L
- CHEM 121/121L - 122/122/L (this course should be completed as soon as possible)
- CHEM 321/321L - 322/322L or CHEM 103/103L - 104/104L
- PHYS 151/151L - 152/152L
- BIOL 314/314/L - 315/315/L
- at least 3 cr in PSYC (at least 6 cr for OT); some schools require additional Social Sciences
- MATH 125
In addition to the pre-requisite courses, applicants must have accumulated a significant number of hours of physical therapy experiences, including some in acute-care settings. Some programs, such as Old Dominion University, do not interview applicants and base their decision solely on the application (including essays/personal statements) and letters of reference.
You may have to take the GRE - Graduate Record Examination.*
* Scores should be sent directly to your chosen school.
Old Dominion University School of Physical Therapy
Virginia Commonwealth University: Department of Physical Therapy
Virginia Commonwealth University: School of Health Professions, Occupational Therapy
Shenandoah University: School of Health Professions, Division of Physical Therapy
Shenandoah University: School of Health Professions, Division of Occupational Therapy
For a listing of accredited physical therapy schools in the United States, see the American Physical Therapy Association.
For more information about Occupational Therapy, visit the American Occupational Therapy Association.
