Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy
Physical Therapy
ALWAYS CHECK FOR SPECIFIC COURSE REQUIREMENTS FOR EACH SCHOOL YOU ARE GOING TO APPLY TO—THIS IS ONLY A GUIDE.
Coursework
Please see Pre-requisite Chart to see courses at Skidmore that can fulfill typical requirements and how they compare to other pre-health tracks.
Please read the details regarding the DPT Articulation Agreement with Russell Sage College School of Health Sciences, including courses fulfilling the particular requirements at Russell Sage.
| Class | Semesters | Skidmore Course(s) | Notes |
| General chemistry | two semesters with lab at the general chemistry level or higher | CH 125 or 126, and Additional CH course |
Must take General Chemistry Placement Diagnostic; for second semester CH 221, CH 232, or CH 251 are possibilities as is CH 115. |
| 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 and or developmental psychology | 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 |
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.
The doctor of physical therapy (DPT) or doctor of physiotherapy (DPhysio) degree is a 3–4 year program that prepares students to be eligible for the Physical Therapy License Examination through the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy in all 50 states. DPT programs are accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE). After completing the degree, the doctor of physical therapy may continue training in a residency and then fellowship.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS - PHYSICAL THERAPY
Occupational Therapy
ALWAYS CHECK FOR SPECIFIC COURSE REQUIREMENTS FOR EACH SCHOOL YOU ARE GOING TO APPLY TO—THIS IS ONLY A GUIDE.
COURSEWORK
Please see Pre-requisite Chart to see courses at Skidmore that can fulfill typical requirements and how they compare to other pre-health tracks.
Skidmore College currently has an articulation agreement with Russell Sage College Graduate School for the Master’s Occupational Therapy Program and Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD). If you are interested in occupational therapy, please do read about the details of the articulation agreement.
Typical Prerequisite Courses
- HP 126 & 127 Human Anatomy and Physiology I & II - HP 126 is now a prerequisite for HP 127.
- PY 130 (formerly 207) General Physics I - (Calculus I, or placing out of it, is a co-requisite for PY 130)
- PS 101 Introduction to Psychology
- Stats - MS 204 or MS 104, or BI 235, or PS 202, or EC 237, or SO 226
- PS 206 Developmental Psychology (or PS 207 Child Development and PS 209 Adult Development)
- PS 214 Psychological Disorders
- AN 101 Introduction to Cultural Anthropology or SO 101 Sociological Perspectives
If you are pursuing occupational 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). The GRE 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. The Millers Analogy Test (MAT) is sometimes accepted.
The master’s in occupational therapy (MSOT) and the doctor of occupational therapy (OTD) degrees both prepare students to sit for the Occupational Therapist Registered (OTR) examination administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). At least two years of full-time study is required for the master’s degree and seven semesters of full-time study over 36 months is required for the OTD. Only five doctoral programs in occupational therapy exist in the United States.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS - OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY