Mar 28, 2024  
2007-2009 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2007-2009 Undergraduate Catalog [Archived Catalog]

Pre-Physical Therapy


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Physical therapy is a dynamic profession with an established theoretical base and widespread clinical applications, particularly, in the preservation, development, and restoration of optimal physical function. Physical therapists seek to prevent injury, impairments, functional limitations, and disability; to maintain and promote fitness, health and quality of life; and, to ensure availability, accessibility, and excellence in the delivery of physical therapy services to the patient. As essential participants in the health care delivery system, physical therapists assume leadership roles in prevention and health maintenance programs; in the provision of rehabilitation services; and, in professional and communal organizations. Every day, physical therapists in the United States help approximately 1 million individuals alleviate pain; prevent the onset and progression of impairment, functional limitation, disability or changes in function and health status resulting from injury, disease or other causes; restore, maintain and promote overall fitness and optimal quality of life as related to movement and health.


The pre-physical therapy curriculum is designed to prepare students for admission to the entry-level Doctorate degree in Physical Therapy. Students complete the prerequisite coursework for the Physical Therapy program as part of their undergraduate work towards completion of the Bachelor degree at USD. The student is free to pursue any major of interest. Courses used to meet the prerequisites must be at the level acceptable for a major in that discipline.

Additional information regarding the USD Physical Therapy program is available by contacting: Department of Physical Therapy, Lee Med, Room 302, 605-677-5915, (http://www.usd.edu/pt); Graduate School, 605-677-6287, (Slagle Hall, Room 107); Academic Advising Center, 677-5381 (Arts and Science, Room 20); Health Professions Advisor, 605-677-5156(Lee Med 210) or Department of Biology, 605-677-5211 or by visiting the following web site http://admissions.usd.edu/academics/majors/pre-health-professions.cfm 

RECOMMENDED CURRICULUM


The USD Physical Therapy program requires that the pre-Physical Therapy student fulfill the following academic areas. Examples of USD courses fulfilling the prerequisite areas are noted:

Additional Requirements


In addition to the academic requirements, there is also a requirement for 50 hours of documented observation of physical therapists in a variety of settings including both urban and rural. 

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