DPT Prerequisites

Physical Therapy Prerequisite Course Guidelines

Undergraduate prerequisite required coursework includes:

Human Anatomy and Physiology (6-8 credits with lab) taken within the last 10 years
Biology (6-8 credits with lab)
Chemistry (Inorganic, 6-8 credits with lab)
Physics (Non-calculus, 6-8 credits with lab)
Statistics (Descriptive and inferential, 3-4 credits) taken within the last 10 years
Mathematics (Pre-calculus or calculus, 3-4 credits)
Psychology (Introduction and upper level, 6-8 credits)

Note the following:

Catalog descriptions must match SHU catalog descriptions listed below, especially lab component
No more than 2 prerequisites can be outstanding at the time of application
AP course credit from high school, accepted by the undergraduate institution, satisfies the prerequisite requirements regardless of where the course was taken. However, AP course grades do not factor into the prerequisite GPA calculation

DPT Prerequisite Course Descriptions

Biology | 8 credits
A two-semester college sequence of biology with laboratories, to include: cell biology, energetics, genetics and evolution. Organismal functions should be studied, including active transport systems, nutrition, control of internal environment, hormonal and neural control and reproduction. (SHU equivalent: BI 111/113, BI 112/114)

General Chemistry | 8 credits
A two-semester college sequence with laboratories, to include: laws and theories of chemistry, atomic and molecular structure, chemical bonding, and acid/base theories. Principles of thermodynamics and electrochemistry, ionic relationships and basic concepts of biochemistry should be included. (SHU equivalent: CH 151/153, CH 152/154) A semester of inorganic and a semester of organic chemistry, each with laboratories, will also fulfill the requirement.

Human Anatomy and Physiology* | 8 credits
A two-semester college sequence with laboratories, to include: (1) systemic human anatomy of cardiovascular, musculoskeletal, neurosensory/motor, respiratory, digestive, excretory and integumentary organ systems; and (2) systemic human physiology of cardiovascular, musculoskeletal, neurosensory/motor, respiratory, digestive, excretory and integumentary organ systems. (SHU equivalent: BI 206/208-207/209)

General Physics | 8 credits
A two-semester college sequence with laboratories, to include: vectors and forces; linear and angular acceleration; concepts of work and energy including such basic instruments as levers and pulleys; and mechanical and thermal properties of matter. Topics of vibration, light and sound wave forms, electricity, magnetism and properties of electromagnetic fields should also be included. (SHU equivalent: PY 111/113, PY 112/114)

Math | 3-4 credits
A one-semester course of pre-calculus level math or above to prepare students for the concepts of physics described above. Concepts should include at least set theory, symbolic logic, algebraic functions, polynomial and rational functions and analytic trigonometry. (SHU equivalent: MA 140)

Statistics* | 3-4 credits
A one-semester course in probability and elementary statistics to include: descriptive and inferential statistics such as concepts of distribution, central tendency, variation and consideration of both parametric and non-parametric tests. (SHU equivalent: MA 131)

Psychology | 6-8 credits
Two semesters of psychology, to include: general or introductory psychology plus one upper level course of the student's choice. (SHU equivalent: PS 110)

*Must have been completed within the past 10 years