Pre-Physical Therapy

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the demand for physical therapists is expected to grow significantly. Keuka College is a great place for students to begin their preparations for a physical therapy career. Through an articulation agreement with Utica College, students can earn a bachelor's degree at Keuka College and be guaranteed admission into Utica’s Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program.

The Keuka Advantage

Keuka offer the advantages of small classes and personal attention from professors. Additionally, the hands-on experiences, available via lab work, Field Periods, and undergraduate research, will set Keuka graduates apart from the rest. Keuka students build a portfolio of experiences that position them perfectly for success in the Utica College physical therapy program, or even physical therapy doctorate programs at another college or university of your liking.

Physical Therapy as a Career

Physical therapy is a service profession that seeks to return patients to the highest possible degree of personal independence. The physical therapist works with clients suffering from disabilities in the muscular, skeletal, neurological, circulatory, and respiratory systems. He/she administers individualized treatment programs designed to restore functional movement, promote healing and recovery and, when necessary, help individuals adapt to permanent disability. Therefore, physical therapists need to be highly intelligent, motivated, and have a genuine interest in serving people.

Articulation Agreement Requirements

The articulation agreement with the DPT program at Utica College will guarantee admission of up to two Keuka graduates per year who meet the following academic performance and coursework requirements:

1. Complete requirements for a bachelor's degree from Keuka College with a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0.
2. Complete a sequence of laboratory science courses in chemistry, biology, and physics. A grade of "B" or better must be earned in all laboratory science courses and all science courses must have been taken within the past 10 years.
3. Taken a course in statistics and three courses in psychology.
4. Complete the Graduate Record Examination Aptitude Test (GRE general test) or equivalent (e.g., MCAT, DAT, OPT). Scores must be submitted by July 1 of the year in s/he expects to matriculate.

Pre-PT Program at Keuka College

Entrance into a physical therapy program requires that a student first gradutate with a bachelor's degree from Keuka College. Although physical therapy programs don't typically specify a particular undergraduate major, Keuka students can achieve the best preparation for a PT program via the biology major.

This major provides an exceptional foundation in the sciences that greatly exceeds minimum requirements stipulated in the articulation requirements with Utica College. Along with some additional psychology courses, the biology major will position the student well for success in a physical therapy program and beyond. Outside the classroom, Field Period will provide pre-PT students with the professional exposure that will allow them to learn first-hand the true nature of the occupation. Students can affirm their career choice and simultaneously gain the critical experience necessary to prepare for the DPT program.