Pre-Physical Therapy

What is Physical Therapy?

Physical therapists provide services that restore function, improve mobility, relieve pain and prevent or limit permanent physical disability of those suffering from injuries and disease.

Physical therapists can practice in hospitals, clinics, orthopedics, acute care, wound care, post-operative care and cardiovascular and pulmonary rehabilitation settings.

Why Alma?

Many schools encourage students, regardless of major, to consider strengths they could bring to the career. At Alma, students will develop strengths across different areas during their liberal arts education. Students will also have access to opportunities related to the pre-therapy field.

These include, but are not limited to:

• Hands on experience with dissection in a human anatomy lab.
• Therapeutic courses taught by a licensed physical therapist.
• Experience culturing and experimenting on skeletal muscle cells within the Molecular Aspects of Muscle Physiology course.
• Ability to learn about motor learning and neural control of movement in Neurophysiology and Motor Control.
• Courses outside of the sciences, such as Health Communication, Ethics and Medicine and Health Care Administration that build knowledge/skills directly applicable to physical therapy.

How Do I Become a Physical Therapist?

Physical therapy requires a doctorate degree from an accredited program. Students pursuing this career can complete the pre-physical therapy curriculum at Alma College and then matriculate to a three-year physical therapy graduate program.

CMU Articulation Agreement 

Alma College has an articulation agreement with Central Michigan University (CMU). This agreement allows the college to submit the names of two qualified students each year for reserved spots in CMU’s Doctor of Physical Therapy program.

Where Will You Go?

Your Alma education will prepare you to continue your path towards a career that focuses on your particular academic interest or specialty.

Some of the schools our alumni have chosen are:

• Central Michigan University
• Duke University
• San Diego State University
• University of Michigan – Flint
• Western Michigan University

Additional Resources

The American Physical Therapy Association provides information for both students and professionals, and a list of accredited programs.