Preparing for Physical Therapy School

Physical therapists work with a range of people varying from famous athletes to disabled people to people recovering from major accidents. Physical therapists assess a patient's joint and muscle ability, lung capacity, and even sensory perception and functional ability. They use these evaluations to improve the overall quality of each of these areas by using several techniques. These techniques include massage, exercises, range of motion activities, and general joint and muscle health education.

Physical therapists are generally excellent communicators, able to effectively educate patients about their recovery and are employed by private rehab, professional/college sports teams, nursing homes, hospitals and private practice.

Changes in reimbursement for therapy by the federal government has affected the job market for practicing therapists. This is seen as a short-term situation; as a significant portion of the U.S. population ages, the long-term need for physical therapists is strong.

The American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) advocates the completion of a Master's Degree from an accredited Physical Therapy School. At the APTA website click on "Education" for comprehensive information about the training of Physical Therapists.

There is an effort underway to standardize professional training programs for physical therapists so that the post-baccalaureate degree is the norm. Most recent Cal graduates who are now Physical Therapists received a Master's degree before receiving their license. State licensure requirements vary from state to state; however, there is a national examination that all states include as part of their evaluation. The California Physical Therapy Board reviews applications from physical therapists who have been trained in other states who wish to practice in California.

Pre-Requisites definitely vary from school to school but some common course requirements are found:

• Human Physiology with Lab-Integrative Biology 132 and 132L or MCB 32 and 32L
• Anatomy with Lab-Integrative Biology 131 and 131L (also given in summer session)
• English (1 semester of college level is required some Speech coursework is also recommended)
• General Chemistry-one year, Chemistry 1A and 1B (While Organic Chemistry may be recommended, 1A + 1B are required at most schools)
• General Biology -one year, Biology 1A and 1B is the most commonly taken
• Math (college level)-requirements vary. At Berkeley Math 16A is a prerequisite for Physics 8A
• General Physics-one semester to one year, Physics 8A and 8B

Other required or recommended courses include:

• Organic Chemistry (Chem 3A)
• Upper division Biology
• Exercise Physiology-Integrative Biology 123A/B
• Neuromuscular Fatigue-Integrative Biology 126
• Motor Development-Integrative Biology 127
• Sports Medicine-Integrative Biology 128
• Psychology-general (Psy 1), abnormal (Psy 117 or 130 for UCSF), and developmental (Psy 140). Requirements vary
• Microbiology-Public Health 162A (some schools require a lab, PH 162L)
• Statistics-Statistics 2 or other statistics courses
• Computing-Familiarity with the computer, Interdepartmental Studies 110 and 110L

Consult the Directory of Physical Therapy Educational Programs, found on the shelf of the Career Center Info Lab and the websites of specific schools for official information on requirements at individual schools. The chart found in the back of the Directory is especially helpful for Cal students hoping to enter a program soon after leaving Cal. The best online listing of PT programs is found on the American Physical Therapy Association website. Various non-science classes are often required. Any undergraduate major is acceptable; many pre-physical therapy students major in Integrative Biology.

Suggested Timetable for Application (for admission immediately upon graduation)

Freshman and Sophomore Years:

• Take prerequisite coursework and maintain excellent academic standing
• Begin volunteering in physical therapy settings

Fall of Junior Year:

• Renew and establish contact with professors and physical therapy professionals for letters of recommendation
• Set up file for letters of recommendation in the Career Center Letter of Evaluation Service, 2111 Bancroft Way.
• Begin researching available programs at the APTA website.
• Review academic progress to make sure prerequisites have either been completed or will be completed by expected entry date.
• Start exploring financial aid resources.
• Prepare for GRE General Test; submit your registration soon to take the Computer Based Exam.

Spring of Junior Year

• Write the first draft of your statement of purpose, submit to the Career Center for online review and allow sufficient time for online revisions.
• Attend Career Center Graduate/Professional School Workshops
• Request your letters of recommendation
• Students should contact a pre-graduate advisor at the Career Center to discuss preparation and strategy for application.

Summer after Junior Year:

• Take the GRE General Test.
• Obtain applications for Schools of Physical Therapy; early application is advised.

Fall of Senior Year

• Consult with a graduate advisor on preparing application
• Begin application to schools and colleges of physical therapy. Early application is strongly advised. Deadlines for California schools typically range from October thru February.

Spring of Senior Year

• Interviews are completed
• Decision processes and timelines vary; notification may begin in March

While academics are a very important part of being accepted into a physical therapy program, the admission committees are not just looking for the 4.0 student - they prefer to see applicants who have spent significant hours of hands-on patient contact. Some of the California schools, for example, require as many as 150 hours of paid or volunteer experience in a variety of physical therapy settings working under the supervision of a licensed physical therapist (see UCSF/SFSU). Physical therapy schools place great importance on the acquisition by the applicant of an in-depth introduction to the field and to the work of therapists. This should include exposure to a comprehensive care facility, e.g., a hospital physical therapy department. The applicant should be familiar with the work of physical therapists in a variety of circumstances and with a range of patients and their problems. Experience should not be limited to one setting, such as sports and should demonstrate a clear understanding of the work of the licensed therapist.

As early as your Sophomore year, seek out opportunities to observe and volunteer; following are some suggestions from past Cal students:

• Ask your own health provider(s). One student asked his mother's nurse practitioner for names of PTs she knew or made referrals to and got three names. He followed up, using her name as an introduction and eventually got an observation/volunteer position at an alternative health clinic that employed a licensed physical therapist.
• Be strategic. Another student sent letters and emails to several physical therapists she found in the phonebook. It took a lot of calls and in-person visits, but she eventually convinced one professional that she would be an asset to the practice.
• Use Campus Resources. Check out CalCorps, and the Tang Center, for opportunities to work in physical therapy settings. Stiles Hall, located on Bancroft Way between the Career Center and the Tang Center, helps connect Cal students with community service opportunities.
• Get into a hands-on situation sooner rather than later. This will give you an idea if the work of physical therapy is for you. The Cal Recreation Sports Facility (RSF) has a massage clinic and an opportunity for volunteers to participate in CalSTAR, a service which involves volunteers in providing services to disabled RSF users. The Disabled Student Program has many volunteer opportunities for people interested in aiding disabled students or working as attendants.
• Use Career Center resources. Get on the CareerMail Health Professions list to learn about opportunities in health care settings. Check the Internship Directory to learn about the limited opportunities at Cal to volunteer as a trainer for an athletic team.

Following is a list of some suggested extra-curricular activities, but keep in mind this is not an all-inclusive list. One should select those activities that best fit one's personality and interests.

Sports	Student Government	Involvement in the Arts
Volunteering	Campus Religious Groups	Service Organizations
Debate/Forensics	Tutoring	Fraternities/Soroities