Physical Therapy (PT) Course Requirements

Always check for specific course requirements for each school you are going to apply to—this is only a guide.

Class	Semesters	Skidmore Course(s)	Notes
General chemistry	two semesters with lab at the general chemistry level or higher	CH 125 or 126 Additional CH course	Must take General Chemistry Placement Diagnostic; for second semester CH 221, CH 232, or CH 251 are possibilities.
General biology	two semesters with lab	BI 107, BI 108
Additional Biology (1-2 depending on program)	one to two semesters with lab	BI 246, or BI 242, or BI 245, or BI 247	Often BI 246 required. Sage requires two from the list.
General physics	two semesters with lab*	PY 130 (fomerly 207) PY 140 (formerly 208)	Must take calculus I and II (or place out of them) to take physics at Skidmore.
Anatomy and physiology	two semesters with lab	HP 126 HP 127	HP 126 is now a prerequisite for HP 127.
Intro to psychology	one semester	PS 101
Psychological disorders, developmental, child development or adult development	one semester	PS 214 or PS 206	Check individual schools—this requirement can vary quite a bit.
Statistics	one semester	MS 104 or MS 204, or PS 202, SO 226, or B 235, or EC 237

Coursework

Skidmore College currently has an articulation agreement with Russell Sage College Graduate School for the Doctorate of Physical Therapy Program. This articulation agreement enables Skidmore students to complete requirements of the baccalaureate program at Skidmore and, after graduation, enroll in the Russell Sage College DPT Program at Russell Sage College Graduate School. To be eligible, students must meet the following criteria:

• Earned baccalaureate degree

• Minimum overall GPA of 3.25

• Physical therapy prerequisites of a C or better; GPA of 3.25 in prerequisite science courses

• Two letters of recommendation (one must be from a Skidmore faculty member)

• Clinical observations: minimum of 40 hours clinical observation with a physical therapist

• Submit an application through Physical Therapist Centralized Application Service (PTCAS)

• Complete the required coursework

Prerequisite Science Courses
HP 126 & 127 Human Anatomy & Physiology I & II
PY 207 & 208 General Physics I & II
CH 125 or 126 Principles of Chemistry
Additional Chemistry (CH 115, CH 214, CH 221, or CH 251)

Additional Prerequisite Courses
PS 101 Introduction to Psychology
PS 207 Introduction to Child Development
MS 104 Introduction to Statistics or MS 204 Statistical Methods

If you are pursuing physical therapy programs outside of the articulation agreement, please research your programs of interest, as their requirements may vary.

Tests

If you are pursuing programs outside of the articulation agreement, you should consider completing the General Records Exam (GRE). This exam is a computer-adaptive test offered hundreds of times per year in a variety of locations. There is a fee-reduction program that discounts the exam by 50% for those who qualify. Please note: You must apply for fee assistance well in advance of taking the GRE, at least 30 days.