Prephysical Therapy Completion Program
The Prephysical Therapy Completion Program is intended for students who have completed some but not all of the core science prerequisites needed to apply to physical therapy graduate (DPT) programs. Students in this program may complete their remaining core classes through SPS and receive the same student services as those in the Prephysical Therapy post-baccalaureate program in SPS.
This program is not intended as a records enhancement program. Students who have already applied to DPT programs or have completed all of the required coursework for their intended programs should not apply for this completion program but may consider the Advanced Studies in Biology for the Health Professions certificate.
Students must complete the program within 12 calendar months and must be enrolled in at least two units of coursework per term to be eligible for financial aid. Students who plan to enroll in this program during the summer immediately following the completion of their undergraduate degree may not be eligible for financial aid during that summer, depending on previous aid awards for that academic year.
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About the Prephysical Therapy Completion Program
- Prephysical Therapy Completion Program Required Courses
- Transfer Credit Policy for Prephysical Therapy Completion Program
- Prephysical Therapy Completion Program Tuition
- Admission for Prephysical Therapy Completion Program
- Prephysical Therapy Completion Program Registration Information
- Prephysical Therapy Completion Program Sample Course Plans
- Find out more about the Prephysical Therapy Completion Program
Prephysical Therapy Completion Program Required Courses
Course plans will vary based on each student’s previously completed coursework. The courses listed below are necessary prerequisites for Physical Therapy graduate programs. Upon admission into the program, students should consult with their academic advisor to create a plan of study. In order to receive a letter of completion, students must complete their individual required courses as determined in the initial advising meeting and must complete a minimum of 4 units with a 3.0 GPA.
Courses are selected from the following:
Biological Sciences
- BIOL SCI 201 Molecular Biology
- BIOL SCI 202 Cellular Biology
- BIOL SCI 203 Genetics and Evolution
- BIOL SCI 232 Molecular and Cellular Processes Laboratory
- BIOL SCI 233 Genetics and Molecular Processes Laboratory
- BIOL SCI 234 Investigative Laboratory
- BIOL SCI 310 Human Physiology
- BIOL SCI 313 Human Anatomy
- BIOL SCI 316 Human Structure and Function
- BIOL SCI 317 Regional Human Anatomy Lab
- BIOL SCI 318 Advanced Human Physiology
Chemistry
- CHEM 110 Quantitative Problem Solving for Chemistry
- CHEM 131 Fundamentals of Chemistry I (with lab, CHEM 141)
- CHEM 132 Fundamentals of Chemistry II (with lab, CHEM 142)
Physics
- PHYSICS 130-A College Physics I (with lab, Physics 131-A)
- PHYSICS 130-B College Physics II (with lab, Physics 131-B)
- PHYSICS 130-C College Physics III (with lab, Physics 131-C)
Due to Northwestern Department of Chemistry policy, students may not begin a chemistry course in the middle of a sequence. Students who need to complete a chemistry course must take the entire sequence at SPS.
View Prephysical Therapy Completion Program Courses
Transfer Credit Policy for Prephysical Therapy Completion Program
Transfer credit is not accepted into this program. However, the program’s flexibility allows students to enroll in only the courses that they need.
Prephysical Therapy Completion Program Tuition
Post-baccalaureate students at Northwestern's School of Professional Studies pay per course. For more information about financial obligations and tuition, please visit the Tuition page.
Admission for Prephysical Therapy Completion Program
In addition to completing an online application, you'll also need to submit a few supplemental materials. A list of requirements for admission including application deadlines and tips on how to apply can be found on the Admission page.
Prephysical Therapy Completion Program Registration Information
Whether you're a first-time registrant or current and returning student, all students register using our online student registration and records systems. Important information about registering for courses at SPS, including registration timelines and adding or dropping courses in which you are already enrolled, can be found on the Registration Information page.