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Pre-Physical Therapy

Interested in becoming a physical therapist? Join our pre-physical therapy program and become well-prepared for the next step in your career.

Specialized support is available to pre-physical therapy students through the Health Careers Center

Available as
Pre-Professional Program
Description

Become an Expert in Movement

The pre-physical therapy program at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire offers a rigorous curriculum and experiential learning opportunities that will help you start your journey to becoming a licensed physical therapist.

Physical therapy (PT) is an allied health profession that focuses on the prevention and rehabilitation of various musculoskeletal injuries or problems. Working with individuals of all ages, physical therapists make diagnoses, develop treatment plans, and help people lead healthier lives.

Pre-physical therapy is not a major at UW-Eau Claire, but rather a declaration of your intention to continue your education and enroll in a physical therapy graduate program. No specific undergraduate major is required for a career in physical therapy, but most UWEC students choose to major in rehabilitation science or biology.

Entry into a graduate-level PT program is typically based on a student’s academic record, a competitive Graduate Record Exam (GRE) score, observational or work experience in physical therapy, and a completed application with the Physical Therapy Centralized Application Service (PTCAS).

Pre-PT students are supported by exceptional advisors and faculty members, including the Health Careers Center who stays current on pre-PT requirements and trends in the physical therapy school application process and will help you understand what it takes to develop a competitive application.

Degree Types

Program Details

Degree Types
Pre-Professional Program, No Degree
Degree Level undergraduate
Available asPre-Professional Program
Campus
Eau Claire
Offered
On Campus
Requires a minor No
Authored on
Hallmarks
Health Careers Center entry
Individualized Attention and Support

Are you planning a future in a health career? UW-Eau Claire is one of only a few schools of its size with a specialized Health Careers Center dedicated to helping you achieve your health career goals. We offer access to targeted programming, high-quality clinical and volunteering opportunities, and personalized academic and pre-professional advising delivered by our caring expert staff.

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A Supportive Cohort

While pursuing your undergraduate degree at UWEC, you'll learn alongside a team of students who, like you, are interested in helping others feel, move and live better. Pre-physical therapy students work closely with faculty and staff members in the kinesiology department and can participate in a variety of experiential learning opportunities, including volunteer work, student-faculty research, and internships.

Pre-professional health club Bob Fest 2023
Relevant Student Organizations

On-campus student organizations — like the Kinesiology Club — will connect you with other students interested in becoming physical therapists. These extracurriculars are an excellent way to volunteer, job shadow and learn about potential graduate schools and employers.

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Community Outreach

Pre-physical therapy students can get involved with the community through various community outreach and volunteer programs. Popular program choices for pre-PT students include P.R.I.D.E, which serves children and adults with cognitive, sensory, and physical disabilities by providing skill development and fitness instruction; and the Community Fitness Program, which aims to improve health and wellness in the Chippewa Valley.

Facts List

Just
the
facts

Investing in the Health Sciences
UWEC was awarded $340.3 million to build a state-of-the-art Science and Health Sciences Building for students pursuing STEM careers.
13 Programs To Choose From
From athletic training to rehabilitation science, our academic offerings put you on track to find a career you love in kinesiology.
10 Pre-Professional Health Paths
These robust programs will provide you with the support and academic planning needed to enter professional degree programs.
A Top-Ranked Program
UWEC was recently ranked as having the 9th best exercise science bachelor's degree program in the country.
BestHealthDegrees.com
Hike Across Eau Claire
Take advantage of 10 hiking trails all within five miles of campus.
Outcomes Image
Nik Carpenter, cardiac rehab intern
What can I do

Where can the pre-physical therapy program lead me after graduation?

After earning your undergraduate degree from UWEC, your next step toward becoming a physical therapist is earning your doctor of physical therapy (DPT) degree and passing a state licensure exam. Depending on your personal and professional goals, you may then choose to pursue a residency or fellowship program, or specialize in a particular area of practice. Most UWEC student attend PT school at the College of St. Scholastica, the University of Wisconsin La Crosse, or the University of Wisconsin Madison.

What can I do with a DPT?

Physical therapists are an integral part of any comprehensive health care team and frequently work with other health care providers, such as physicians, occupational therapists, athletic trainers, nurses, dentists, psychologists, social workers, podiatrists, and speech pathologists and audiologists. The ultimate goal of physical therapists is to facilitate the return of patients to pre-injury levels of functioning as well as prevent future problems.

Although a large number of physical therapists work in hospitals, a majority can be found in private physical therapy offices, rehabilitation centers, community health centers, nursing homes, home health agencies, corporate or industrial health centers, sports facilities, research institutions, schools, pediatric centers and universities.

Courses information
SampleCourses

Suggested pre-physical therapy courses at UWEC are courses that are required by most physical therapy schools. Courses you can expect as a pre-physical therapy student include general chemistry, anatomy and physiology, physics, statistics, and psychology. Requirements vary by program and students should connect with the Health Careers Center and access pre health advising information early and often. Visit the Health Careers Center for a more detailed guide on pre-physical therapy advising.

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