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Physical Therapy

A path to gain entry into physical therapy programs. 

Interested in becoming a Doctor of Physical Therapy? 

Click each box to learn more about what PTs do and what it will take to become one. 

 

What do Physical Therapists do?

Responsibilities:

Physical Therapists (PTs or DPTs) are healthcare professionals who help patients restore movement and function, reduce pain, and prevent disability. They work with people of all ages, from athletes recovering from injuries to elderly patients regaining mobility after surgery. PTs use exercise, manual therapy, education, and specialized equipment to improve quality of life.

Some of their responsibilities include:
  • Evaluating and diagnosing movement dysfunctions
  • Designing individualized treatment plans
  • Teaching exercises for strength, flexibility, and endurance
  • Using techniques such as massage, stretching, or dry needling
  • Educating patients on injury prevention and long-term wellness
Conditions treated by Physical Therapists:

DPTs care for a wide variety of conditions, including:

  • Sports injuries (sprains, ACL tears, shoulder injuries)
  • Neurological conditions (stroke recovery, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis)
  • Musculoskeletal disorders (arthritis, back and neck pain)
  • Post-surgical rehabilitation (hip/knee replacement, spinal surgery)
  • Balance disorders and fall prevention
  • Pediatric developmental delays
Salary:

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2024), the median salary for Physical Therapists was $99,710 per year.

Preparation and Physical Therapy School Admissions

Bachelor’s Degree: DPT school requires successful completion of an undergraduate degree in any major.

  • Common MSU majors include Kinesiology, Psychology, Biological Sciences, but students from any major may apply if prerequisites are met. 

GPA: Most PT schools require a minimum GPA of 3.0, but a competitive GPA is 3.5 or higher, especially in science coursework.

Prerequisites: Required classes for each DPT school will vary per program and can change at any time, so it is wise to periodically check your selected programs' websites, attend info sessions, and stay in contact with their admissions team. While not limited to or exclusive of, the courses below are examples of commonly required prerequisites for DPT programs:

  • Biology I and Biology II
    • Biology I with lab | BIO 1134
    • Biology II with lab | BIO 1144
  • Chemistry I and II
    • Chemistry I with lab | CH 1213 & 1221
    • Chemistry II with lab |  CH 1223 & Ch 1221
  • Physics I and Physics II with labs
    • Physics I with lab | PH 2213 or General Physics I with lab | PH 1113
    • Physics II with lab | PH 2223 or General Physics II with lab | PH 1123
      • In the case of a professional school requiring 8 credit hours as opposed to “2 semesters” or “1 year” of physics, Physics III/ PH 2233 or General Physics III with lab/ PH 1113 may also be required to fulfill the hour requirement
      • Check with target programs and their preferences- some will prefer trigonometry based physics and will even require trigonometry as a prerequisite 
  • Behavioral Sciences (6 hours is common) 
    • General Psychology | PSY 1013
    • Human Growth and Development or Developmental Psychology | EPY 2513 or PSY 3803 
      • Double check your target school's requirements for this and compare to course syllabi as well as your degree requirements before registering 
    • Abnormal Psychology | PSY 3213 
  • Statistics
    • Intro to Statistics | ST 2113
      • Some programs may require a specific type of stats course like Inferential Stats, or they may not accept other types of stats like Behavioral or Business. 
  • Anatomy & Physiology 
    • Human Anatomy with lab | BIO 3004
    • Human Physiology with lab | BIO 3014
      • If taking combined A&P courses at other institutions, those cannot be combined with MSU's Anatomy or Physiology courses to fulfill this requirement. 
      • Courses from other professional programs or disciplines (nursing, military medical training, comparative, and non-human focused A&P) courses will likely not satisfy this requirement 
      • BIO 1004 at MSU will not satisfy any portion of this requirement. It is an introductory course.
  • Medical Terminology
    • Medical Terminology | KI 2603
  • Additional Humanities, Sciences, and/or Behavioral Courses may be required:
    • English Comp I and II
    • Upper level lab science

Observation/Shadowing Hours: Most PT programs require 50+ observation hours across multiple settings (inpatient, outpatient, pediatric, etc.). It varies by program on the amount of hours, but the more that you see the more you will know! And that's particularly important when it comes to learning about your dream job. While observing, be as professional as possible and prepare questions that go beyond surface level. Ask them about what they consider to be the good and the not so great aspects about their field, their work-life balance, what they wish they would've known or done differently at your phase of life, etc. You will also want to stay in touch with these professionals as they could potentially become one of your evaluators or mentors someday.

Entry Exams:

The GRE (Graduate Record Examination) is required by many PT programs. Some schools are test-optional, so always confirm with each program.

Some schools require the Graduate Record Examination/GRE  It is important to compare all of your target schools and requirements side by side before making any plans and preparations for any entrance exams. 

GRE: Is a computer-based exam comprised of three portions: 

  • Verbal Reasoning 
  • Quantitative Reasoning
  • Analytical Writing 

While some DPT schools will not require a minimum score, a competitive overall score is around 300+. Students typically start to study for this exam over a break leading up to their application year. The GRE can be taken more than once, but there is a 30 day waiting period before being able to take it again. At MSU, the exam can be conveniently scheduled at our Computer-Based Testing Services on campus. 

Involvement/Extracurriculars: Admissions committees can derive a skillset from anything that you do. For students who are working while in their undergrad, they may not be involved in as many clubs, teams, and organizations. And that is okay in the holistic review process! Our goal is to be a well-rounded pre-professional student and that will look differently for each individual. 

However, I do have one suggestion for membership at MSU: Pre-Physical Therapy Club

Letters of Recommendation: Many programs require 2–3 letters. One will often be required from a Physical Therapist 

Service: At MSU, we pride ourselves in going wherever we are called to serve and volunteering our time to those in need. Volunteering for your local, campus, and/or abroad communities is not only rewarding, but it can also allow you to grow in ways that nothing else can teach you. Empathy and compassion are admirable qualities of a healthcare provider, and volunteering is a fantastic way to learn and showcase those qualities about yourself. Remember, we don't just say we are these things, we do the things to prove it. 

The Application (PTCAS)

Application Steps:

  1. Meet with your pre-health advisor to plan your timeline.

  2. Confirm prerequisites for each PT program.

  3. Collect recommendation letters early.

  4. Record and verify all observation hours.

  5. Prepare and take the GRE if required.

  6. Complete the PTCAS application and submit transcripts.

  7. Practice interview skills and continue serving and gaining experiences.

 

Mississippi DPT Schools 

University of Mississippi Medical Center School of Health Related Professions 

William Carey University 

Directory of all PTCAS affiliated DPT Programs

 

Coming to MSU Meridian...

Mississippi State University Meridian Hybrid DPT Program 

 

For assistance in planning a pre-PT path at MSU, contact Claire Palmer