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.
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)
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