Each Physical Therapy School has different requirements for prerequisite courses. Research schools early for specific information about requirements.

The following courses are generally required for most Physical Therapy schools:

• Two semesters of Physics with labs
• Two semesters of General Chemistry with labs
• Two semesters of General Biology with labs
• One semester of Human Anatomy
• One semester of Human Physiology
• Two semesters of Psychology (General and Developmental preferred)
• One semester of Applied Statistics

For a comprehensive guide of prerequisites by school see this guide by the American Physical Therapy Association's (APTA) page. 

Physical Therapy (PT) schools generally admit students once a year. Research schools early for specific information about requirements.

Applications are submitted about 12-13 months before your desired Physical Therapy school enrollment date. However, the timing depends on when you will complete your degree and the necessary coursework (and successfully take the GRE).

Physical Therapy School Application process includes 5 main components:

1. The Graduate Record Exam (GRE) - (Most Schools)
2. Primary Application
3. Letters of Recommendation
4. Secondary Applications - (Most Schools)
5. Interviews

Spring

• Draft your personal statement. 
• Request letters of evaluation/reference.
• Complete shadowing hours with a PT in various settings. Applicants to PT programs are required to have a minimum number of direct observation hours.
• Take the GRE, if you have not already done so.

Summer

• Primary Applications through the Physical Therapist Centralized Application Service (PTCAS) open in mid to late July. Begin to fill out primary applications as soon as possible. 
• Order official transcripts from ALL colleges and universities that you have attended to be sent to PTCAS.

Fall

• Complete secondary/supplemental applications as they come in.
• Prepare for and attend interviews.

Letters of Recommendation/Support:

Requirements for letters vary between schools, though most programs require two to four references, preferring one each from a licensed physical therapist, academic professor, and work/volunteer supervisor. Begin early to establish a network of professors, supervisors (for volunteer or paid work), and healthcare providers who are familiar with your work. It is important to choose recommenders who know you well.

Personal Statement:

The personal statement is about you and your motivation for pursuing a career as a physical therapist. Describe your current passion for the field with specific stories from lived experiences. Try to choose a theme rather than random thoughts. The primary application activities section provides a list of accomplishments. Your personal essay is an opportunity to provide additional, more in-depth information, and is not a place to repeat your previously mentioned accomplishments. It can be helpful to remember why you are interested in becoming a physical therapist.

Most Physical Therapy programs require the GRE. The Graduate Record Exam (GRE) is administered throughout the year. It may be repeated, but the best strategy is to prepare thoroughly and take it once. Taking the exam by spring the year before you wish to enter Physical Therapy school will enable you to apply earlier.

More information on the GRE.

Most occupational therapy programs hold 'interview days' where they bring in a group of applicants that may consist of some or all of the following: Interviews, written essays, school tours, and opportunities to meet students and faculty.

Interviews can take many forms, so it is important to research your schools and be prepared for each kind. The Stuckert Career Center can help you with preparation tips and practicing your interviewing skills.

The most common types of interviews are:

• One-on-one: Usually, one or two interviews ranging 30-45 minutes.
• Multiple Mini Interview (MMI): 7-10 rooms with a different prompt or scenario posted on the door. You are typically given 2 minutes to prepare before entering the room. Once you enter, you are given 5-8 minutes to respond to the prompt or play out the scenario with a trained actor and ask follow-up questions.
• Group: May be either one applicant interviewed by several interviewers or a group of applicants interviewed by one or more interviewer.

The experiences section is a core component of the application where you list academic enrichment, PT experience, PT shadowing, employment, extracurricular activities, and volunteer work. It provides admissions committees with a structured look at how you spend your time outside the classroom. To find UK student organizations related to physical therapy, search via BBNVolved. 

Shadowing/Observation

Applicants should shadow/observe licensed Physical Therapists in action, working in a variety of settings and across age groups. Shadowing is not only required for entrance to many programs but also enables you to begin growing your professional network. This is important, as many programs require at least one recommendation letter from a Physical Therapist. 

Volunteering

As a caring attitude is central to the practice of Physical Therapy, applicants should demonstrate a commitment to service, more specifically direct service. 

Physical Therapy Schools in Kentucky

• Bellarmine University
• Spalding University
• University of the Cumberlands
• University of Kentucky
  • Campuses in Lexington & Hazard.
• Western Kentucky University

Find a Physical Therapy School via the APTA directory.

American Physical Therapy Association (APTA)

Physical Therapist Centralized Application Service (PTCAS)