Physical Therapist
THIS WEBSITE IS FOR CSU STUDENTS PURSUING CAREERS AS PHYSICAL THERAPISTS – CSU DOES NOT HAVE A PHYSICAL THERAPY PROGRAM
Overview
Physical Therapists work with people who have a temporary or permanent disability or pain due to injury, disease, old age, accident, or birth injury.
Physical Therapists (PT):
- Develop and deliver appropriate treatment programs for pain relief
- Prevention of deformity
- Improvement of strength
- Development of coordination and increase in functional ability
Treatment may involve exercise, in conjunction with the application of heat, cold, water, electricity, ultrasound, traction and/or massage. Their work is often closely coordinated with that of the occupational therapist, because both fields involve training patients to improve their motor abilities.
CSU does not have a Physical Therapist Professional program. Health Professions Advisors work with any CSU student interested in pursuing a PT program.
Physical Therapy Occupational Outlook from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics
CSU Recommended Coursework
| These courses are provided as GENERAL pre-requisites and may not represent a complete list of requirements. It is the student’s responsibility to check with each professional school in order to determine specific pre-requisites courses and equivalencies for each institution. | |
| Requirement | Recommended CSU Course(s) |
| General Biology (2 semesters w/ labs) | LIFE 102 and one other lab-based biology course |
| General Chemistry (2 semesters w/ labs) | CHEM 111/112 and CHEM 113/114 |
| General Physics (2 semesters w/ labs) | PH 121 and PH 122 or PH 141 and PH 142 |
| Human Anatomy (1 semester w/ lab) | BMS 301 |
| Physiology (1 semester w/ lab) | BMS 300/302 or BMS 360/302 |
| Psychology (2 or 3 semesters) | PSY 100 and PSY 260 or PSY 320 |
| Mathematics | College Algebra |
| English Composition (2 semesters) | CO 150 and CO 300/301 or JTC 300/01 |
| Statistics (1 semester) | EHRS 307, STAT 301, or STAT 307 |
| Highly recommended | BMS 325, CO 300/301, HES 207, HES 307, HES 403, SPCM 200 |
Programs and Preparation
Accredited Programs:
APTA Programs Directory
Colorado Programs:
University of Colorado at Denver
Regis University
Colorado Mesa University
Admissions Tests
The Graduate Record Exam (GRE) is typically required.