Pre-Physical Therapy

Preparing you for graduate work in physical therapy in a Christ-centered environment.

Houghton's 30-hour program in pre-physical therapy includes coursework in biology, physical education, chemistry and mathematics. This program includes rigorous hands-on and clinical training through the following courses and experiences:

Physiology of Exercise
Kinesiology and Care
Prevention & Management of Athletic Injuries
Pre-PT Field Experiences (clinical)
Pre-Health Practicum or by assisting our athletic trainers (clinical)

Program Snapshot

Undergraduate Pre-Professional Pathway

Recommended Majors: Exercise Science, Biology, Neuroscience, Biomedical Sciences

Pre-Med Advisor: Jamie Potter

Field Experience Requirements Available Certifications

What will I learn?

Houghton athlete running against sports band.

Through Houghton’s Pre-Physical program you will gain hands-on experience as you:

Do science in your very first year in our hands-on, experiential program
Shadow local practitioners for real-world experience in the field
Decide to travel to a developing country to study foundations of health development
Enroll in our pre-health practicum, where you will live with – and learn from – a Houghton alumnus who is a practicing health care worker
Conduct, publish and present real research with one or more of Houghton University’s faculty members

Why study Pre-Physical Therapy at Houghton?

Experiential Learning Opportunities

At Houghton, we emphasize hands-on engagement in the field of biology. You'll be a scientist in the your first year of the general biology sequence. Explore open-ended problems that require critical thinking and intentional design, implementation and analysis. You can work in the field through off-campus study, practicums, internships and student-faculty research collaboration.

Undergraduate Research

As a pre-physical therapy student, you'll do real research with one or more of the faculty at Houghton. Work towards publishing your findings in peer-reviewed journals or present talks and posters at regional and national conferences. Opportunities for research include, collaborative research in a biology course, independent study, senior honors projects, and or collaborative research with faculty (e.g., Shannon Summer Research Institute, Cornell University and the Sierra Nevada mountains of California)

Plan Ahead for Your Postgraduate Studies

Houghton University has collaborative agreements with D'Youville University and Messiah University for a select group of students to gain entry to Doctorate and Master programs upon graduation from Houghton.

Learn more about these partnerships

Field Experience Requirements

EXS 352 – Pre-Physical Therapy Field Experience I

Mastery of competencies in injury prevention, recognition and assessment; taping and bracing techniques; understanding of the lower extremity; and medical documentation.

Requires 25 hours of observation in each of three settings:

Orthopedics
Pediatrics
Geriatrics

Additional 25 hours assisting with rehabilitation in the Houghton University training room.

EXS 353 – Pre-Physical Therapy Field Experience II

Mastery of competencies in injury prevention, recognition and assessment; taping and bracing techniques; understanding of the back and upper extremity; and developing rehabilitation programs.

Requires 25 hours of observation in each of three settings:

Orthopedics
Cardiac
Neural rehabilitation

Additional 25 hours assisting with rehabilitation in the Houghton University training room.

Certifications Available

Choose to be certified in multiple areas through recognized leaders in the industry. Many of the certifications are integrated into the coursework. Certifications may require additional training and certification exams.

Emergency Medical Technician – Basic

New York State

Elective Credit

First Aid-Responding to Emergences

American Red Cross

Required

CPR-AED for the Professional Rescuer

American Red Cross

Required

Houghton students throwing their graduation caps in the air on the steps of the Chapel.

97%

of Houghton students are employed or in graduate school within 6 months of graduation.

Class of 2022

View Alumni Success and Career Outcomes

Related Pre-Professional Programs

Houghton student standing at podium during biology lecture.