Physical Therapy
Admission to Physical Therapy Programs
Penn State does not offer a program in physical therapy. However, qualifying curricula would allow interested students to transfer to undergraduate or graduate programs at other universities.
Avenues of Admission to Physical Therapy Programs
- Associate Degrees
- Physical Therapist Assistant (available at the DuBois, Fayette, Hazleton, Mont Alto, and Shenango campuses of Penn State)
- Entry-Level Doctorate of Physical Therapy
- After completion of bachelor's degree program at Penn State
Choice of Major
Students may be in any major at Penn State as long as they complete the requirements for admission to a physical therapy program. Some popular choices are:
College of Education
- Rehabilitation and Human Services
- Secondary Education - Biological Science Teaching Option
College of Health and Human Development
- Biobehavioral Health
- Kinesiology - Movement Science or Athletic Training options
- Health Policy Administration
- Nutritional Sciences - Applied Sciences or Basic Sciences options
College of the Liberal Arts
- Letters, Arts, and Sciences
- Psychology (B.S.) - Neuroscience Option
Eberly College of Science
- Biology
- Premedicine
- Science
Recommendations
- Cumulative grade-point average between 3.00 and 4.00 *
- High grades in prerequisite science courses
- For entrance to a Doctorate of Physical Therapy program (after completion of a baccalaureate degree), Graduate Record Exam (GRE) scores may be required
- Field experience with a licensed physical therapist (schools are looking for a variety of experiences)
- Letter of recommendation
* Since physical therapy schools only admit a controlled number of students per class, the more competitive your cumulative grade-point average is, the greater your chances of acceptance will be.
Local Opportunities for Work Experience
| Organization | Location | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| The Easter Seal Society of Central PA | 383 Rolling Ridge Drive State College, PA 16801 |
814-238-4434 |
| Mount Nittany Medical Center | 1800 East Park Avenue State College, PA 16801 |
814-231-7000 |
| University Health Services | 101 Student Health Center University Park, PA 16802 |
814-865-2817 |
| Healthsouth Rehabilitation Hospital | 550 E. College Avenue Pleasant Gap, PA 16823 |
814-359-3421 |
| Healthsouth Outpatient Clinic | 1522 Martin Street State College, PA 16803 |
814-234-1986 |
| O'Neill Physical Therapy | 911 University Drive State College, PA 16801 |
814-237-5134 |
| Drayer Physical Therapy Institute | Bellefonte Center, 1680 Zion Road Bellefonte, PA 16823 |
814-355-5660 |
| Back to Life Physical Therapy | 434 West Aaron Drive State College, PA 16803 |
814-235-9995 |
| Pro-Care Rehabilitation | 2437 E. College Avenue State College, PA 16801 |
814-867-3808 |
| University Orthopedics and Sports Medicine Center | 101 Regent Court, Scenery Park State College, PA 16801 |
814-231-2101 |
| Penn State Orthopedics | 1850 E. Park Avenue, Suite 112 University Park, PA 16802 |
814-865-3566 |
| Phoenix Rehabilitation and Health Services, Inc. | 805 S. Atherton Street State College, PA 16801 |
814-278-1912 |
| Lemont Physical Therapy, Inc. | 2766 W. College Avenue State College, PA 16803 |
814-861-6608 |
| ProCare Rehabilitation | 2825 Earlystown Road Centre Hall, PA 16828 |
814-364-3290 |
