Physical Therapy Admissions

• Bachelor's degree with a major of the student's choice by July 15 of the year you intend to enroll.
• Successful completion of the listed prerequisite courses, by July 15 of the year you intend to enroll.
• Prerequisite courses must be completed with a grade of "C" or above
• Courses are taken on a graded basis; pass/fail courses are not acceptable.
• Biological science, chemistry, and physics courses must all include significant laboratory experiences.
• It is recommended that prerequisite courses in Biology, Exercise Physiology, Anatomy, and Physiology be taken within ten years of applying to the program.
• Observation hours must be completed by July 15 of the year you intend to enroll.  At least 50 hours of observation in physical therapy practice settings, including at least 25 hours in acute care, in-hospital settings (NOTE: sub-acute and any other non-acute care settings do not satisfy this requirement). The Department encourages you to visit the APTA website for the definition of acute care and descriptions of that setting: http://www.apta.org/PTCareers/Overview/. Hours worked as an aide in a PT setting may be counted towards the required observation hours.
• GRE test scores must be less than five years old at the time of application and must be taken at a testing center unless taken between Spring 2020 and Spring 2022. Please contact the Graduate School if you have questions.
• A personal interview at the invitation of the selection committee is required.
  All prerequisite courses/labs must be completed at an accredited institution. All courses must have defined objectives, a course description, an objective grading system with a letter grade, and meet the content expectations of the prerequisite. As of Spring 2023, classes may be online, but labs must be in person.
• Pacific will NOT accept AP courses to fulfill prerequisites.

General Prerequisites

• General Biology with lab and another course in Biological sciences (not botany) with or without lab: 6 semester credits/9 quarter hours minimum.
• Human Anatomy with Lab: 4 semester units/5 quarter hours minimum.
• Human Physiology with Lab: 4 semester units/5 quarter hours minimum.
• General Chemistry with lab: 8 semester units/12 quarter hours minimum.
• General Physics with lab: 8 semester units/12 quarter hours minimum.
• Abnormal Psychology: 3 semester units/4 quarter hours minimum.
• Statistics: 3 semester units/4 quarter hours minimum.
• Exercise Physiology: 3 semester units/4 quarter hours minimum.
• Medical Terminology: 1-3 semester units/ 2-4 quarter hours minimum.

→ View the Approved Prerequisite 

While every effort has been made to create an accurate list, it is the applicant’s responsibility to be aware of the prerequisite requirements.  Colleges and universities do re-organize, rename, add and remove courses, course information and hours so the information above may not be accurate or up-to-date.  If an applicant has questions they can contact Admissions at ptadmissions@pacific.edu for clarifications or to see if another course may meet the requirement.