Physical Therapy

College of Health Professions

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Prerequsites

If your university has given you college credits for your Advanced Placement course and/or exam, and it is listed on your transcript, we will accept these credits.

All science and math prerequisite courses must be taken within 10 years of application. Exceptions are granted only when employment or continued education has provided continued use of the knowledge gained in these courses.

Biological sciences (12 semester hours including laboratory)

  • Must include four semester hours of college biology. May be an introductory or an advanced course.
    • Introductory biology must transfer to VCU as BIOL 151: Introduction to Biological Sciences I & BIOZ 151: Introduction to Biological Sciences Laboratory I. 200 level BIO or higher will be accepted as an advanced course.
    • VCU students are required to take BIOL 151 & BIOZ 151 as their introductory biology. BIOL 101 at VCU is not accepted.
  • Must include four semester hours of anatomy and four semester hours of human physiology or eight semester hours of anatomy/physiology I and II.
  • An exercise physiology course is not an acceptable substitute for a human physiology course.
  • Cell biology and histology are highly recommended, but not required.

Chemistry (8 semester hours including laboratory)

Mathematics (3 semester hours)

  • Must include three semester hours of precalculus or calculus.
    • This requirement must transfer to VCU as precalculus or calculus.
  • MTH 161 through the VA Community College System does not meet this requirement.

Physics (8 semester hours of general physics with laboratory)

  • Courses that emphasize mechanics, electricity, heat and light are highly recommended.

Psychology (6 semester hours)

  • This requirement can be met by one introductory course and one upper level course or two upper level courses. Abnormal and developmental courses are preferred.
    • Upper level Psychology courses are considered 200 level or above.
  • Sports psychology in the Exercise Science Department does not meet this requirement.

Statistics (3 semester hours)

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Questions?

If you have questions on how courses transfer into VCU, please see the transfer course equivalents. For questions about prerequisite requirements and courses, please read the FAQ or email the Admissions Coordinator at dptadmissions@vcu.edu.