Physical Therapy
Prerequisite coursework
There are ten courses that must be completed prior to beginning the program. Students who have not completed the courses may apply, if the demonstrate a plan to complete those courses before the program starts.
Accepted students will need to submit a final transcript demonstrating the successful completion of all prerequisite courses. Courses must be completed at a regionally accredited institution, and the grade earned must be a C or higher.
Applicants will be considered to have met the prerequisites even if the courses were taken many years ago, however, with the program's academic rigor the applicant's current academic aptitude is considered.
General Biology
One semester of General Biology with lab. Human Biology and Microbiology courses with labs are acceptable.
UWL Equivalent - BIO 105
Human Anatomy & Physiology (A&P)
1 semester of Human Anatomy AND 1 semester of Human Physiology; OR a two semester sequence of combined Human Anatomy & Physiology (A&P I and A&P II). Both courses must include a lab. Exercise Physiology courses are not acceptable.
UWL Equivalent - BIO 312 and BIO 313
Chemistry
A two semester General Chemistry sequence. Both courses must include a lab. Organic Chemistry courses with a lab are acceptable substitutes.
UWL Equivalent - CHM 103 and CHM 104
Physics
A two semester Physics sequence that addresses the fundamentals/principles of physics. Both courses must include a lab and be math based (algebra or calculus). Biomechanics courses are not acceptable substitutes.
UWL Equivalent - PHY 103 and PHY 104
Statistics
1 semester of Statistics. Biometry/Biostats and Research Methods courses are acceptable substitutes.
UWL Equivalent - STAT 145
Psychology
1 semester of Psychology. Common examples include, General, Introductory, Developmental and Abnormal.
Equivalent UWL courses - PSY 100, 204, 212
Sociology/Anthropology
1 semester of Sociology or Anthropology. A second Psychology course is an acceptable substitute.
UWL Equivalent - Any SOC or ANT course
Advanced Placement (AP) Credit
The program accepts Advanced Placement (AP) credit, provided the official transcript from the undergrad institution lists the credits/courses for which AP credit was granted. For example, if a student received credit for their AP Stats performance their transcript should list a Stats course for which they were granted credit, such as UWL's STAT 145. An AP exam score alone is insufficient. It is the credits listed on the official transcript which we evaluate and apply toward prerequisite course requirements.
Common satisfactory courses from other institutions
- PT Course Equivalencies - Univ. of Wisconsin System
- PT Course Equivalencies - Wisconsin Private Colleges
- PT Course Equivalencies - UW Colleges (Two Year Campuses)
- PT Course Equivalencies - Wisconsin Technical Colleges
- PT Course Equivalencies - Univ. of Minnesota System
- PT Course Equivalencies - Minnesota State Colleges & Universities (MNSCU)
- PT Course Equivalencies - Minnesota Private Colleges
- PT Course Equivalencies - Minnesota Community & Technical Colleges
- PT Course Equivalencies - Illinois Institutions
- PT Course Equivalencies - Iowa Institutions
- PT Course Equivalencies - Michigan Institutions
- PT Course Equivalencies - North Dakota Institutions
- PT Course Equivalencies - South Dakota Institutions
If you would like to know whether a particular course will satisfy one of our prerequisite course requirements please email Pete Amann at pamann@uwlax.edu. Please include the school where the course was taken, course number, and course description in your message. You may also email pamann@uwlax.edu for transcript reviews. Please include a copy of your unofficial transcript as an attachment.