Department of Biology Pre-Medicine - Physical & Occupational Therapy

PHYSICAL THERAPY - Physical Therapists plan, organize, and administer treatment based on a knowledge of each patient's condition, in order to restore functional mobility, relieve pain, and prevent or limit permanent disability for those suffering from a disabling injury or disease. Their patients vary in age from the newborn to the elderly and may include accident or stroke victims or handicapped individuals. Among the conditions likely to require treatment by physical therapists are: multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, nerve injuries, amputations, fractures, arthritis, and heart disease. Physical Therapy (PT) specialty areas include pediatrics, geriatric, orthopedics, sports medicine, neurology, and cardiopulmonary physical therapy.  For the home page for the American Physical Therapy Association click here.  If you are a student interested in Physical Therapy, click here. 

CERTIFICATION - Some students seek a BS degree in physical therapy, but these programs are rapidly declining. The main pathway to practicing as a Physical Therapist is to gain a BA or BS degree (usually in biology) and enter a master's degree programs in PT. While in College, fulfill all prerequisites for the PT schools you will apply to. It is possible for you to become certified as an ATHLETIC TRAINER by working with a certified trainer for a least two years. Some SJC students do this while also taking our pre-PT courses. You can also become an athletic trainer during or after completion of an approved physical therapy program. However an athletic trainer cannot become a physical therapist without finishing an approved physical therapy program. For more information click here.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS (PREREQUISITES) - Physical Therapy Schools have differing admission requirements. This means students should CONTACT PHYSICAL THERAPY SCHOOLS IN THE FRESHMAN YEAR in order to find out their prerequisites. Click here to get schools.

OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY - Occupational therapists treat people who have permanent mental, physical, developmental, or emotional disabilities. They employ a variety of techniques designed to help individuals develop or maintain daily living skills. This allows people to function in spite of their handicap (e.g. tying shoes with only one hand or cooking despite partial paralysis). The result is not a physical "cure", but it gives great happiness and fulfillment to the person who can function again. Ability to work independently and good people skills are needed to help you work with patients. You must be strong physically and emotionally for this demanding job.

Inside Track: Jobs have opened up for occupational therapists because of the aging of the population. The anticipated growth in rehabilitation services is a reflection of the increase of Americans who statistically are more vulnerable to heart disease and strokes. Occupational therapists tend to work with a particular disability or age group. Most jobs will be in hospitals that are adding rehabilitation centers, and in hospital subsidiaries such as home health care, rehabilitation programs and outpatient clinics. Schools will be the second largest employer. Some Occupational Therapists have independent practices to provide follow-up services to long-term patients recently released from hospitals. Occupational therapists will become consultants to businesses with disabled workers and in university research labs.

CERTIFICATION - Preparation for this field requires at least two years in a college liberal arts program. Most programs now PREFER that you get a four-year bachelor degree in biology, biology-chemistry or pre-occupational therapy. You then get a Master's Degree in Occupational Therapy or a postbaccalaureate certificate. Ultimately you must be licensed by the state to help disabled people and obtain national certification as a registered occupational therapist. This is awarded by the American Occupational Therapy Certification Board. For more information click here.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS (PREREQUISITES) - Occupational Therapy Schools have differing admission requirements. This means students should CONTACT OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY SCHOOLS IN THE FRESHMAN YEAR. Click here for schools

Here is a typical example of prerequisites for entry into Physical or Occupational Therapy programs: NOTE this is just an example, courses you need MAY DIFFER from this example)

1. must have a bachelors degree
2. must have GPA . 2.75 (both cum and in major) usually entrants are 3.3-3.5 on 4.0 scale)
3. must have the following prerequisite courses (they do not accept "P" or "D" grades)

MAJOR - You will major in "Biology" but concentrate on courses preparing for the Master’s Program.

1. 36 hours of biology credits including: 8 h of Intro. bio., 4 h genetics, 3 h of seminars, 4h Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy (recommend courses: Human medical physiology and Human anatomy and physiology

2. Chemistry requirements: 8 h general chemistry,1st semester organic, 2nd semester organic or biochemistry

3. Physics requirements - two semesters of Introductory physics

MINOR "HEALTH THERAPY". This minor is available for those interested in Physical or Occupational Therapy. You must take 18 hours from the following areas: (no more than 6hrs from any one area count toward the minor) Psychology, (general, abnormal, human growth and development), Statistics, Sociology, Art and handicrafts, Physical Education (kinesiology, athletic training), Mathematics (calculus)

FIELD EXPERIENCE: It is up to YOU, the student, to arrange field experience with licensed therapists. We can help, especially with experience in town. Our majors have often helped with procedures at Jasper County Hospital Physical Therapy and received Independant Study credit as well as hours of experience. Schools usually desire that you spend at least 60 hrs with accredited therapists

A Possible Schedule at SJC

Freshman
4h gen bio 4h gen chem 3h HAP* 6h Core 17hr
4h gen bio 4h gen chem 3h HAP* 6h Core 17hr

Sophomore
4h CVA@ 4h org chem, 3h calc, 6h Core,1h seminar 18hr
4h organic? 6h Core 8h or more for PT prerequisites

Junior
4h physics 6h Core 4h biochemistry? 1h seminar 3-8h for PT prerequisites
4h physics 6h Core 4h genetics or Human Physiology 4h for PT prerequisites

Senior - remaining Biology, Core and Prerequisites
6h Core
3h Core 4h Human Physiology or Genetics

*HAP (or A&P) and Kinesiology can only count for biology credit if you also take CVA & HMP
@many schools don't accept CVA for anat requirement

Occupational Therapy Schools - You can find out about each school’s entrance requirements, programs, costs etc. over the internet.

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