Preparing for a Career in Occupational or Physical Therapy
Once you have decided to pursue a career in physical or occupational therapy, you should:
- Read the Pre-Healthcare FAQ that provides general advice for students considering healthcare careers.
- Familiarize yourself with the information on this page.
- Request further information about physical or occupational therapy programs in the United States by visiting these websites or by writing directly to the addresses shown:
- American Physical Therapy Association (APTA)
111 North Fairfax Avenue
Alexandria, VA 22314 - American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA)
4720 Montgomery Lane
P.O. Box 31220
Bethesda, MD 20824-2682
- American Physical Therapy Association (APTA)
- Try to attend the meetings of and consider joining the Miami Pre-Physical and Occupational Therapy (Pre-PT/OT) Club. This student-run organization can help you learn more about new professional programs and changing requirements and help you attain your goal of entering the physical or occupational therapy profession.
- If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the pre-physical/occupational therapy advisors:
- Ms. Nancy Malay
Department of Kinesiology and Health
205C Phillips Hall
(513) 529-8540
malaynj@MiamiOH.edu - Dr. William Berg
Department of Kinesiology and Health
202G Phillips Hall
(513) 529-2716 or 529-2700
bergwp@MiamiOH.edu
- Ms. Nancy Malay
The prerequisite courses listed below are only a guideline. Students are responsible for determining the specific course prerequisites for the Master's or Doctoral programs of interest to them.
Pre-Physical Therapy Coursework
Subject | Courses |
---|---|
Biology (1 year with lab) |
BIO/MBI 115, 116 |
General Chemistry (1 year with lab) |
CHM 141, 142 and CHM 144, 145 |
Physics (1 year with lab) |
PHY 161, 162 or PHY 191, 192 |
Human Anatomy (1-2 semesters) |
BIO 201 or BIO 201 and KNH 244, 244L |
Human Physiology (1 semester) |
BIO 161 or BIO 305 |
Statistics (1 semester) |
STA 261 |
Biomechanics (1 semester) |
KNH 381, 381L |
Exercise Physiology (1 semester) |
KNH 468 |
English Composition (1 semester) |
ENG 111 |
General Psychology (1 semester) |
PSY 111, 112 |
Developmental Psychology (1 semester) |
PSY 231 |
Medical Terminology (1 course) |
KNH 209 |
Subject | Courses |
---|---|
Organic Chemistry (1 semester) |
CHM 231 |
Biochemistry (1 semester) |
CHM 332 |
Philosophy/Medical Ethics (1 semester) |
PHL 131 or PHL 375 or SOC 357 |
Sociology (1 semester) |
SOC 151 or SOC 153 |
Speech (1 semester) |
STC 135 |
Students should also consider a course in CPR (level C) certification.
Pre-Occupational Therapy Coursework
Subject | Courses |
---|---|
Biology (1 semester with lab)BIO/MBI 115 or 116 |
|
Human Anatomy (1-2 semesters) |
BIO 201 or BIO 201 and KNH 244, 244L |
Human Physiology (1 semester) |
BIO 161 or BIO 305 |
Statistics (1 semester) |
STA 261 |
College Physics (1 semester with lab) |
PHY 161 |
Biomechanics (1 semester) |
KNH 381, 381L |
English Composition (1 semester) |
ENG 111 |
General Psychology (1 semester) |
PSY 111, 112 |
Developmental Psychology (1 semester) |
PSY 231 |
Abnormal Psychology (1 semester) |
PSY 242 |
Sociology or Anthropology (1 semester) |
SOC 151 or SOC 153 or ATH 155 |
Speech (1 semester) |
STC 135 |
Medical Terminology (1 course) |
KNH 209 |
Subject | Courses |
---|---|
Gerontology or Adult Development (1 course) |
GTY 154 |
General Chemistry (1 semester with lab) |
CHM 141, 144 |
Students should also consider a course in CPR (level C) certification.
Applying to PT/OT Programs
Students interested in a Master's or Doctoral degree in either occupational or physical therapy must obtain a Baccalaureate Degree prior to admission to a graduate program. Each school sets its own prerequisite courses for admission into their graduate program.
Competition for places in physical and occupational therapy programs is keen and school admission committees choose among many talented and qualified students. The evaluation of candidates is based largely on objective criteria; a high overall GPA and science GPA are obviously important. Other important factors are:
- competitive General Record Examination (GRE) scores and, if required by the program, competitive Allied Health Professions Aptitude Test (AHPAT)
- significant prior experience in physical or occupational therapy
(most schools require approximately 100 hours of clinical volunteer or work hours) - prior experience in research
- when applying, apply to as many as 10 professional schools
- strong letters of reference
- evidence of leadership potential as demonstrated by a few carefully chosen extracurricular activities
- well-developed interpersonal skills