Pre-PT

Physical Therapy programs do not require a particular major. All students who attend USM must declare an academic major. Many students choose to major in Biological Sciences, Kinesiology, Kinesiotherapy, or Athletic Training. Other majors are acceptable, however, including those in the sciences, humanities, social sciences, and business-related areas. It is important that the academic major is in an area that the student is comfortable working in and can act as a backup plan.

Some students already have a B.A. or B.S. and then decide to pursue becoming a physical therapist. Students in this category should consult with our pre-professional office. In general, these students lack some of the science courses required by most PT schools; in some cases, the required courses may be over 10 years old, which most PT schools do not accept. It is common for these students to take the prerequisite science or non-science courses for PT school at USM as post-baccalaureate students while also working on polishing their applications and taking the MCAT.

Some post-baccalaureate students take the prerequisite courses as a non-degree student while other students choose a second major to pursue at USM. In either case, students must go through the University Admissions Office to be admitted (or re-admitted for former students) before enrolling in courses.

• Alabama State University, Montgomery, AL*
• Samford University, Birmingham, AL
• University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL
• University of South Alabama, Mobile, AL

*ASU's program is currently in probationary accreditation. For more information about the accreditation process and the different statuses, visit the CAPTE website.

• Louisiana State University, New Orleans, LA
• Louisiana State University, Shreveport, LA

• University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS
• William Carey University, Hattiesburg, MS

^a   The order in which students take the introductory Biological Sciences (BSC) courses does not matter; 110 covers molecular and cellular topics whereas 111 covers ecology and organisms.

^b   Placement in mathematics (MAT) courses depends on the student’s ACT subtest score. Consult the prerequisites for the math course you plan to take. Calculus is required for some majors in the USM College of Arts and Sciences but is not required by most PT schools.

^c    Additional courses can include supplemental courses for the PT application or courses to fulfill the student's academic major or minor.

Strategies for Success

• Students should visit the preprofessional office for advisement and/or to answer any pertinent questions.
• Students should focus on doing well in their academic studies, particularly the required science and math courses.
• Students should become involved with extracurricular activities, including meaningful community service learning, volunteer activities, and leadership positions that will demonstrate effective interactions with diverse people, as well as effective time management skills. Students should maintain a record of the dates and total hours spent performing such activities. Records should also include the name of the activity's supervisor and their contact information. This will be needed when it comes time to apply to PT school.
• Students could start getting hands-on exposure to physical therapy. Students must provide evidence of 40 hours observation in at least two physical therapy clinical departments or practices within a year of application to PT school, but getting additional hours early in the academic career is recommended.
• Students may join AED (Alpha Epsilon Delta), the National Health Preprofessional Honor Society, as associate members at any time even if they do not fulfill the requirements for full membership (must be enrolled at a university for a minimum of three semesters and meet specific course and GPA requirements). Full members are inducted during the Spring semester. Applications and instructions for membership are available at the preprofessional office.

^d  Additional courses can include courses to supplement the PT application or to fulfill the student's academic major or minor.

Strategies for Success

• Students should continue with previous success strategies.
• Students should visit the preprofessional office for advisement and/or to answer any pertinent questions.

^e Advanced science electives must be at the 300 level or above and must include a lab. Not all sciences offered at USM will fulfill this requirement; rather, the sciences chosen should be medically focused and be primarily targeted towards humans, such as Human Embryology or Immunology and Serology. Advanced sciences used to fulfill this requirement are typically biology courses, but chemistry courses such as Biochemistry may suffice. It is wise to check with UMMC admissions to make sure the course selection for this requirement will be satisfactory.

^f Additional courses can include courses to satisfy the student's academic major or minor, as well as courses to supplement the application to PT school.

Strategies for Success

• Students should visit the preprofessional office for advisement and/or to answer any pertinent questions.
• Students should continue previous success strategies.
• Students must provide evidence of 40 hours observation in at least two physical therapy clinical departments or practices during their year of application at the time of application to UMMC’s DPT program.
• Students applying to UMMC PT program must have completed at least 5 of the 8 required courses by the end of the fall semester in which the application is submitted. Applicants accepted for admissions must complete the remaining prerequisite courses by the end of the subsequent spring semester.

Strategies for Success

• Students should visit the preprofessional office for advisement and/or to answer any pertinent questions.

• For UMMC, apply online directly to the Doctor of Physical Therapy program at the UMMC School of Health Related Professions. New application forms are posted on or before July 1 each year for the next matriculating class. The application deadline is November 1 of the year prior to program entry. The program itself begins in May each year.
• For William Carey, the application is done in part through the Physical Therapy Centralized Application Service (PTCAS). The application deadline is November 1 of the year prior to program entry. The program itself begins in August each year.

Scores from the general Graduate Record Exam (GRE) are usually required for admission into PT programs. Schools vary in score deadlines and the length of time during which scores are accepted, so students are encouraged to check with their prospective schools prior to scheduling an exam and/or submitting scores. Reserve a GRE testing time at least 6 weeks ahead of the test date and allow about a month for your scores to be sent to the PT school before the school’s deadline.

Students should study on their own to prepare for the GRE. Students are strongly encouraged to take an online practice GRE before taking the GRE that they will use on their application. 

Students are advised to practice their interview skills BEFORE attending their first interview. For interview preparation at USM you may use the online Big Interview resource. You can also sign up for mock interviews through Career Services or the preprofessional office (contact information below).