Prepare for Physical and
Occupational Therapy School
Confirm your interest in PT/OT, prepare academically and develop the necessary skills and experience:
Academic Pre-Requisites: Physical Therapy
Pre-Req Comparison Chart
Read about the PT Admissions Process and Requirements,
This is a general guideline. Please check individual schools for their specific pre-requisites.
- Biology (BILD 1, 2, 3) + 4 unit upper division Bio lab
- General Chemistry (Chem 6ABC) + lab (Chem 7L)
- Physics (1A+1AL, 1B+1BL, 1C+1CL)
- Human Anatomy + lab (take at Extension or community college)
- Human Physiology (BILD 26, BIPN 100, or BIPN 102) + lab (BIPN 105)
- Psychology
- Statistics (Math 11, Psych 60, etc.)
Academic Pre-Requisites: Occupational Therapy
Read FAQs about OT Education.
This is a general guideline. Please check individual schools for their specific pre-requisites.
- Biology (BILD 1, 2, 3) + 4 unit upper division Bio lab
- Human Anatomy + lab (take at Extension or community college)
- Human Physiology (BILD 26, BIPN 100, or BIPN 102) + lab (BIPN 105)
- Psychology (intro, general, abnormal, lifespan and/or developmental)
- Statistics (Math 11, Psych 60, etc.)
- Medical Terminology (take at community college)
- Oral Communications
- Art (painting, drawing, sculpting) recommended
- Talk to, shadow or volunteer with a PT or OT. Find them through your network of family and friends or Professional Associations
Student Organizations
PT and OT-related student groups include the following:
Exercise is Medicine is a new sports medicine organization on campus. Their purpose is to promote healthy lifestyles through exercise, to promote exercise as a means of medicine in standard healthcare practices, and to provide students with the opportunities to learn about fields within sports medicine.
Speech, Physical and Occupational Therapy (SPOT) provides excellent opportunities to meet other pre-PT or OT students, local therapists, and visiting school deans.
Additional Preparation Information
Learn more about gaining experience - clinical, service, leadership, and research.