A health science degree serves as an excellent foundational path for a career in physical therapy. This undergraduate degree prepares students with the core knowledge necessary for advanced study, but it is not the final credential for practice. To become a licensed Physical Therapist (PT), an applicant must complete the professional graduate program: the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree. The Health Science major is a strategic starting point that aligns well with the requirements of DPT programs.
The Required Doctor of Physical Therapy Degree
To practice as a Physical Therapist in the United States, one must possess a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree. This professional doctorate is the entry-level credential and typically spans about three years of full-time study. DPT programs combine classroom learning with extensive clinical education experiences.
The program must be accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) to ensure eligibility for licensure. While a bachelor’s degree from any field is a prerequisite for DPT admission, graduation from a CAPTE-accredited DPT program is mandatory before sitting for the national licensure examination.
How a Health Science Degree Supports Your Application
A Health Science major is a strategic choice for a prospective Physical Therapist because its curriculum is often structured as a pre-professional track. These programs are designed to overlap significantly with the prerequisite science courses required by DPT schools, allowing students to fulfill their bachelor’s degree requirements while simultaneously preparing for graduate school applications.
Coursework often includes subjects like medical terminology, human anatomy, physiology, and health policy, offering a relevant academic background. This focus demonstrates a clear career intention to DPT admissions committees. Many Health Science departments also employ dedicated pre-PT advisors who guide students through the application process, ensuring all prerequisite requirements are met.
Essential Academic and Clinical Prerequisites
Admission to a Doctor of Physical Therapy program is competitive and requires the completion of specific academic coursework, regardless of the undergraduate major.
Academic Prerequisites
The most common science prerequisites include:
- Two semesters of General Chemistry with lab.
- Two semesters of General Physics with lab.
- Two semesters of Biology with lab.
- A dedicated course in Human Anatomy and a course in Human Physiology, or a two-semester sequence of Anatomy and Physiology, often with a required lab component.
DPT programs also require a course in Statistics and several credits in the social sciences, typically fulfilled by General Psychology and another upper-level psychology course. Applicants must earn a minimum grade, usually a ‘C’ or better, in all prerequisite courses. A strong overall Grade Point Average (GPA) is expected, and the prerequisite GPA, calculated from only the required science and math courses, is often weighted more heavily in the admissions decision.
Clinical Observation Hours
Applicants must complete observation hours under the supervision of a licensed Physical Therapist. While the required minimum varies by program, a range of 50 to 200 hours is common. Applicants should seek experiences in multiple clinical settings, such as outpatient clinics, hospitals, or skilled nursing facilities, to demonstrate broad exposure to the scope of physical therapy practice.
The DPT Program Application Process
The majority of DPT programs utilize the Physical Therapist Centralized Application Service (PTCAS) to standardize the submission process. Applicants use this online system to submit transcripts, experience logs, and demographic information to multiple schools simultaneously, which streamlines the review process.
A comprehensive application includes several supporting components beyond the academic record. Most programs require the Graduate Record Examination (GRE), though an increasing number of schools have made it optional. Applicants must also submit letters of recommendation, often mandating one or more letters from a licensed Physical Therapist who supervised their observation hours, along with a personal essay detailing their motivation and relevant experiences.
Licensure and Beginning Your Career as a PT
After completing the academic and clinical components of the DPT program, the final step is obtaining professional licensure. Students complete extensive full-time clinical rotations, or internships, which are supervised, real-world experiences mandatory for graduation.
Once the DPT is conferred, graduates must pass the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE), administered by the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT). This computer-based exam assesses the candidate’s competency to enter practice safely. Passing the NPTE is a universal requirement across all U.S. states and territories, though each jurisdiction has its own specific requirements for initial licensure. New PTs can then begin their careers in diverse settings, including outpatient orthopedic clinics, acute care hospitals, rehabilitation centers, and specialized practices.