Pre-PT Frequently Asked Questions - High School Students
How much education is required to become a physical therapist?
Typically one would expect to spend between 2 ½ - 3 full years after undergraduate school to become a physical therapist. Currently, an individual can receive a Master’s (MPT) or a Doctorate (DPT) degree in physical therapy. It is the vision of the American Physical Therapy Association that by the year 2020 the education of all physical therapists will be at the Doctorate level. Programs vary in length and structure, but all therapists must pass the same national licensure examination to be able to practice physical therapy.
What do people typically major in at JMU that want to become physical therapists?
Individuals that want to go to physical therapy school can really major in anything, but they must take all the prerequisite courses necessary to apply to each physical therapy school. Many students major in things such as Health Sciences, Kinesiology, Biology, and Psychology. Many students also choose to follow the Pre-PT pre-professional program track, which upon completion allows students to complete most, if not all of the prerequisite courses necessary for graduate school. The take home message is that it is entirely up to you as a student to decide what you would like your major to be!
Can I go to PT school if I do not follow the pre-PT track?
YES. The pre-PT pre-professional program serves as a guide for the classes that most schools require at the time of application. A school may require a class that is not under that pre-PT guideline and in that case the student must take the class as an elective.
Do many JMU students get accepted to PT schools each year?
YES! Many JMU students get accepted to physical therapy schools. Students have been accepted to programs across the nation and report that their education at JMU adequately prepared them for their continued education in PT school. A list of schools that JMU students have been accepted to include, but are not limited to, Virginia Commonwealth University, Shenandoah University, Marymount University, Old Dominion University, University of Delaware, Emory University, Duke University, Chatham College, Elon University, University of Maryland, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, New York University, and Arcadia University.
Besides JMU classes, what else is required to apply to PT school?
In addition to prerequisite courses, most schools require between 80-200 volunteer physical therapy hours (in a variety of settings), they require that students take the GRE (Graduate Record examination), they look for participation in extracurricular activities, and they rely on recommendations from professors and physical therapists. As expected, your overall grade point average and a grade point average in your pre-requisite courses will be evaluated.
How does JMU specifically prepare me for PT School?
The people and resources at JMU can help prepare you to be a qualified applicant for the entry into PT schools. Courses and advising at JMU are not designed to make you a better physical therapist. Rather, attention is focused on seeing that you meet the qualifications for being prepared to apply to PT schools. Both group and individual advising sessions are held with pre-physical therapy advisors. Courses are taught that address the specific needs of those interested in choosing a career in physical therapy. The University sponsors a student run organization called the Pre-PT Society, where members with common interests meet to share ideas about the profession of physical therapy. Each October, coinciding with Physical Therapy Month, the University sponsors a PT Expo, an event where physical therapy programs from across the country visit JMU and display their programs for all students to interact with.
