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; and 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’s 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, 605-677-5000, (www.usd.edu/health-sciences/physical-therapy/); Graduate School, 605-677-6287; Academic & Career Planning Center, 677-5381; Health Professions Advisor, 605-677-7273 or by visiting the following web site: http://admissions.usd.edu/academics/majors/pre-health-professions.cfm
