Pre-physical therapy at CMU
Physical therapy focuses on preventing and treating acute or chronic illness, injury, or physical dysfunction that causes movement disorders, functional impairment, or disability for individuals across the life span. Physical therapists are health care professionals who help patients restore, achieve, and maintain optimal physical function. They are knowledgeable and creative problem solvers who are motivated to help their patients achieve an improved quality of life and are involved in education, research consultation, and health promotion activities. In the pre-physical therapy pathway you will gain the expertise needed to begin your graduate education and prepare to make a measurable and drastic difference in the lives of many. You’ll select a major of your choice while following the pre-physical therapy program of study.
Program Snapshot
Studying pre-physical therapy
The core coursework for the pre-physical therapy pathway includes anatomy, physiology, chemistry, physics, psychology, and math. In addition to your coursework, you can also participate in extracurricular activities, such as volunteering or participating in research, that will help you develop your knowledge in physical therapy.
Since pre-physical therapy is not an undergraduate major, you'll need to select a major and complete all the prerequisite courses needed for PT school. Here are a few choices:
- Athletic training
- Biology
- Child development
- Exercise science (Clinical, Kinesiology, Health Fitness options)
- Neuroscience
- Psychology
- Public Health
Pre-physical therapy pathway highlights
As a pre-physical therapy student, you'll:
- Have the opportunity to live among your peers in a living learning community right on campus.
- Have access to the College of Health Profession’s human performance laboratory, biomechanics laboratory, anatomy laboratory with computerized instructional enhancement, functional assessment laboratory, and interprofessional education and practice center which houses several simulation suites.
- Join registered student organizations dedicated to giving you professional and personal experiences to prepare you for physical therapy.
- Have the opportunity to apply to various scholarship to support you financially along the way.
Physical therapy careers
Physical therapists help people who have injuries or illnesses improve their movement and manage their pain. They are often an important part of rehabilitation and treatment of patients with chronic conditions or injuries.
Career | Projected Salary |
---|---|
Physical Therapist |
$97,720
|
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