Pre-Physical Therapy Roadmap
Start your journey to becoming a physical therapist.
The primary objective of physical therapy is to promote human health and function by assessing and treating disabilities and promoting wellness to individuals of all ages. The physical therapist conducts physical evaluations to determine the patient's potential for rehabilitation and life style changes, and also educates the patient and family. Physical therapists treat patients recovering from injury, surgery or disease using means such as exercise, performance of functional mobility activities, manual techniques, and physical agents. They teach patients how to remain healthy, prevent injury, and stay physically active. Physical therapists work in a variety of environments including elementary and high schools, sports clinics, veterans rehabilitations centers, hospitals, home health care, and nursing homes.
Pre-Physical Therapy Roadmap at UNL
Physical Therapy Prerequisite Classes
Depending on the school you plan to attend, you may need additional prerequisite courses. Meet with an advisor for more information.
Typical Physical Therapy School Requirements
Biology – 2 semesters
Chemistry – 2 semesters
Anatomy - 1 semester
Physiology with lab - 1 semester
Physics – 2 semesters
Statistics – 1 semester
Psychology/Social Science – 1-2 courses
English – 1-2 courses
What to Take at University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Some classes require prerequisites. Meet with an advisor for help planning your courses.
Biology – LIFE 120/120L & LIFE 121/121L*
Chemistry – CHEM 109A/L & CHEM 110A/L or 113A/L, 114, & 221L
Anatomy – BIOS 214
Physiology with lab – BIOS 213/213L
Physics – PHYS 141 & 142 or 211/221 & 212/222
Statistics – STAT 218, ECON 215, EDPS 459, or PSYC 350
Psychology/Social Science – PSYC 181, 289, or 380*
English – ENGL 150, 151, 254, or 354
The above courses are entrance requirements for the physical therapy programs at UNMC, Creighton University, and College of St. Mary (CSM). Students interested in other programs should work with their pre-health advisor and contact schools directly for guidance on prerequisite courses.
Other Notes:
- *Courses with an asterisk have additional options depending on your desired school.
- AP/CLEP: Creighton will accept AP & CLEP credit if listed on a transcript from your undergraduate institution. AP/CLEP is not accepted for prerequisites at UNMC or CSM.
- GPA: Creighton & CSM require a minimum C grade in each prerequisite course; UNMC requires a minimum C- in each prerequisite.
- Math Requirement: Students need to be calculus ready to enroll in Chemistry (MPE into Math 106 or complete Math 102 or 103)
Suggested Science Sequencing
Semester 1 | Semester 2 |
Semester 3 | Semester 4 |
Semester 5 | Semester 6 |
**Take the GRE between semester 6 & 7 (or 12-16 | |
Semester 7 | Semester 8 |
Extracurricular Involvement and Activities:
Pursuing physical therapy school requires more than just coursework. Your extracurricular activities, employment, and healthcare experiences like shadowing and volunteering will contribute greatly to your success in this field. See a pre-health advisor in the Explore Center to plan extracurricular activities that will prepare you for this program.
Application and Admission
Application: Applications to UNMC, Creighton, & CSM are completed through the Physical Therapist Centralized Application Services (PTCAS). More information about PTCAS can be found at: ptcas.org
Entrance exam: As of March 2025, UNMC and Creighton no longer require that students take the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). Other programs may still require the GRE. Information about the GRE can be obtained at ets.org/gre.
Additional admission requirements: Most physical therapy programs require letters of recommendation from a physical therapist, professors, and/or persons who know you in a professional setting. PT observation hours verified by a licensed PT are often required. Interviews are usually required for admission.
Plan Your Path to Physical Therapy School
View Health School Application Timeline
- Meet with a Pre-Health advisor to create a comprehensive academic and co-curricular plan
- Research application requirements
- See specific school websites for any specific application requirements which may vary by school
- Meet with a representative of the school for specific questions and guidance
- Take the Graduate Record Examination (GRE)
- Apply to physical therapy schools
- Most schools use the Physical Therapy Centralized Application Service (PTCAS)
- Complete Bachelor's Degree (required by most schools) and required prerequisite courses
- Attend Physical Therapy school (3-4 years)
Suggested Academic Preparation
- Bachelor’s degree – required by most programs and any UNL major is a great option
- Completion of pre-requisite courses
- Competitive academic record
- GPA in both science and non-science courses
- GRE score (required by some programs)
Local Professional Schools
Current Students
Current students: Meet with a Pre-Health advisor to talk more about your Pre-Health goals.
Are you a non-UNL student looking for information about Pre-Health? Click here