Pre-Physical Therapy
Interested in becoming a physical therapist? Join our pre-physical therapy program and become well-prepared for the next step in your career.
Specialized support is available to pre-physical therapy students through the Health Careers Center.
Become an Expert in Movement
The pre-physical therapy program at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire offers a rigorous curriculum and experiential learning opportunities that will help you start your journey to becoming a licensed physical therapist.
Physical therapy (PT) is an allied health profession that focuses on the prevention and rehabilitation of various musculoskeletal injuries or problems. Working with individuals of all ages, physical therapists make diagnoses, develop treatment plans, and help people lead healthier lives.
Pre-physical therapy is not a major at UW-Eau Claire, but rather a declaration of your intention to continue your education and enroll in a physical therapy graduate program. No specific undergraduate major is required for a career in physical therapy, but most UWEC students choose to major in rehabilitation science or biology.
Entry into a graduate-level PT program is typically based on a student’s academic record, a competitive Graduate Record Exam (GRE) score, observational or work experience in physical therapy, and a completed application with the Physical Therapy Centralized Application Service (PTCAS).
Pre-PT students are supported by exceptional advisors and faculty members, including the Health Careers Center who stays current on pre-PT requirements and trends in the physical therapy school application process and will help you understand what it takes to develop a competitive application.
Program Details
Are you planning a future in a health career? UW-Eau Claire is one of only a few schools of its size with a specialized Health Careers Center dedicated to helping you achieve your health career goals. We offer access to targeted programming, high-quality clinical and volunteering opportunities, and personalized academic and pre-professional advising delivered by our caring expert staff.
While pursuing your undergraduate degree at UWEC, you'll learn alongside a team of students who, like you, are interested in helping others feel, move and live better. Pre-physical therapy students work closely with faculty and staff members in the kinesiology department and can participate in a variety of experiential learning opportunities, including volunteer work, student-faculty research, and internships.
On-campus student organizations — like the Kinesiology Club — will connect you with other students interested in becoming physical therapists. These extracurriculars are an excellent way to volunteer, job shadow and learn about potential graduate schools and employers.
Pre-physical therapy students can get involved with the community through various community outreach and volunteer programs. Popular program choices for pre-PT students include P.R.I.D.E, which serves children and adults with cognitive, sensory, and physical disabilities by providing skill development and fitness instruction; and the Community Fitness Program, which aims to improve health and wellness in the Chippewa Valley.
Blugold Stories
Supportive faculty members and real-world lab and clinical experiences are just a couple of the reasons Blugolds feel prepared for a career in physical therapy. And with opportunities to study abroad and participate in the National Student Exchange program, you can take your learning to a global level.
I was considering doing a two-year technical school and transferring to a four-year. But I ultimately chose to come to UW-Eau Claire right away because I felt like I was ready for the whole college experience, which for me meant living in the dorms, getting to know the professors early on, and getting involved in all these opportunities. And I could not say no to this beautiful campus. I felt ready for it. I felt like that was my best option and here I am.
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Where can the pre-physical therapy program lead me after graduation?
After earning your undergraduate degree from UWEC, your next step toward becoming a physical therapist is earning your doctor of physical therapy (DPT) degree and passing a state licensure exam. Depending on your personal and professional goals, you may then choose to pursue a residency or fellowship program, or specialize in a particular area of practice. Most UWEC student attend PT school at the College of St. Scholastica, the University of Wisconsin La Crosse, or the University of Wisconsin Madison.
What can I do with a DPT?
Physical therapists are an integral part of any comprehensive health care team and frequently work with other health care providers, such as physicians, occupational therapists, athletic trainers, nurses, dentists, psychologists, social workers, podiatrists, and speech pathologists and audiologists. The ultimate goal of physical therapists is to facilitate the return of patients to pre-injury levels of functioning as well as prevent future problems.
Although a large number of physical therapists work in hospitals, a majority can be found in private physical therapy offices, rehabilitation centers, community health centers, nursing homes, home health agencies, corporate or industrial health centers, sports facilities, research institutions, schools, pediatric centers and universities.
Suggested pre-physical therapy courses at UWEC are courses that are required by most physical therapy schools. Courses you can expect as a pre-physical therapy student include general chemistry, anatomy and physiology, physics, statistics, and psychology. Requirements vary by program and students should connect with the Health Careers Center and access pre health advising information early and often. Visit the Health Careers Center for a more detailed guide on pre-physical therapy advising.
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