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Physical therapists (PTs) help people improve movement, manage pain and recover from injuries.

PT schools look for applicants with a strong science background, leadership experience, and good communication and problem-solving skills—the heart of the education you’ll get at Whitman College. Many also require 100-plus hours of paid or volunteer experience in a PT setting, which Whitman’s pre-health advisor can help facilitate.

Earning a Doctor of Physical Therapy (D.P.T.) degree after your bachelor’s degree generally takes an additional three years. 

You can learn more about becoming a physical therapist from the (APTA). And you can compare the requirements of different programs in the .

Plan of Study

Requirements vary, but most U.S. physical therapy programs recommend:

• Two semesters of general biology with labs (courses in genetics may also be recommended)
• Two semesters of human anatomy and physiology with labs
• Two semesters of general chemistry with labs
• Two semesters of physics with labs
• One semester of statistics
• One semester of psychology
• One additional semester of social sciences (such as anthropology, sociology or psychology)

Some programs also require courses in math, English composition, exercise physiology, medical terminology or ethics.