Pre-Physical Therapy
Physical Therapists (PTs) provide services that help restore function, improve mobility, relieve pain, and prevent or limit permanent physical disabilities of patients with injuries or disease. Physical Therapists work closely with patients to restore, maintain, and promote their overall fitness and health. Patients may include accident victims and individuals with disabling conditions such as low back pain, fractures, head injuries, arthritis, heart disease, and cerebral palsy.
Physical Therapists examine patients' medical histories, test and measure their strength, range of motion, balance and coordination, posture, muscle performance, respiration, and motor function. They also determine the patient's ability to be independent and reintegrate into the community or workplace after injury or illness. Finally, PTs develop treatment plans describing a treatment strategy, its purpose, and the anticipated outcome.
Pre-Physical Therapy is considered a designation at Texas Tech University; it is not a major. Pre-Physical Therapy students take the required courses in order to apply to a physical therapy program. Pre-Physical Therapy students also have the option to major in any area they choose as long as they take the prerequisite courses required to enter a physical therapy program along with the courses needed to earn a degree at Texas Tech University.
Prerequisite courses needed for the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Allied Health Sciences Doctor of Physical Therapy Program:
| Texas Tech University | Texas Common Course Numbering System |
|---|---|
| CHEMISTRY I 1307 | CHEMISTRY 1311, 1411 |
| CHEMISTRY I 1107 (laboratory) | CHEMISTRY 1111, 1411 |
| CHEMISTRY II 1308 | CHEMISTRY 1312, 1412, 1414 |
| CHEMISTRY II 1108 (laboratory) | CHEMISTRY 1112, 1412, 1414 |
| BIOLOGY I 1403 | BIOLOGY 1406, 1106, 1306 |
| BIOLOGY II 1404 | BIOLOGY 1407, 1107,1307 |
| PHYSICS I 1403 | PHYSICS 1401, 1101, 1301 |
| PHYSICS II 1404 | PHYSICS 1402, 1102, 1302 |
| ZOOLOGY 2403 | BIOLOGY 2401, 2101, 2301 |
| ZOOLOGY 2404 | BIOLOGY 2402, 2102. 2302 |
| PSYCHOLOGY 1300 | PSYCHOLOGY 2301 |
| MATH 2300 or PSYCHOLOGY 3400 | MATH 1342, 1442, 2342, 2442 |
Recommended courses:
| Texas Tech University | Texas Common Course Numbering System |
|---|---|
| COMMUNICATION STUDIES 2300 | SPEECH 1315 |
| ENGLISH 2311 | ENGLISH 2311 |
| EXERCISE & SPORT SCIENCES 3301 (Biomechanics) | |
| EXERCISE & SPORT SCIENCES 3303 (Motor Learning) | |
| EXERCISE & SPORT SCIENCES 3305 (Exercise Physiology) | |
| EXERCISE & SPORT SCIENCES 4368 (Applied Exercise Physiology) | |
| ZOOLOGY 3405 (Vertebrae Structure & Development) | |
| ZOOLOGY 4409 (Comparative Animal Physiology) |
GRE Submission:
The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is required for admission to the program.
CARDIOPULMONARY RESUSCITATION (CPR) CERTIFICATION IS HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Experience:
Applicants are expected to have some knowledge of the profession. This can be acquired in several ways: volunteer work, paid employment, and /or observation in physical therapy settings. Applicants must have completed a minimum of 100 clock hours of experience in one or more physical therapy settings prior to May 1st of the year of matriculation. Additional experience hours will increase competitiveness of application.
For application and/or prerequisite information, please contact each professional program and check their websites frequently.
For more information click on the following link, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Allied Health Sciences Doctor of Physical Therapy Program