Prephysical Therapy Certificate Program

The prephysical therapy post-baccalaureate program is designed to allow career changing students the opportunity to complete core course requirements needed for admission to physical therapy graduate (DPT) programs. The PrePT program meets foundational requirements for most physical therapy programs in Illinois, students are strongly advised to confirm the admission requirements of the schools in which they are interested before enrolling to ensure that the SPS program fulfills their needs.

PrePT students complete courses with Northwestern curriculum and faculty, which offers students the opportunity to build a deep and strong science foundation. PrePT coursework is primarily offered in evening and weekend classes, and can be completed in 21 months.

This program is designed for career changers who do not have an extensive background in science. Students who need only some of these courses should consider the Prephysical Therapy Completion program. Students who have already completed the course requirements for PT graduate programs may consider the Advanced Studies in Biology for the Health Professions certificate program, or designing a specialized post-baccalaureate certificate to meet their needs.

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About the Prephysical Therapy Certificate Program

Prephysical Therapy Required Courses

All of the following courses are required*:
  • 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
  • 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 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)
  • Two Elective Courses

Elective Course Options

In addition to core requirements, prePT students select two of the courses from the list below. These are courses required by some, but not all DPT programs. To make the best course selection, students should consult their graduate programs of interest to determine which course best fits their needs

  • PRO_HLTH 390 Interprofessional Health Practice
  • KINS 237 Foundations of Human Movement
  • PHIL 269 Bioethics
  • PSYCH 213 Social Psychology

For more information and current course schedule, see the Prephysical Therapy Courses page.

For students admitted to the Prephysical Therapy program prior to fall 2022, please find your list of required courses Here.

Notes

While Northwestern University’s programs are designed to align with core sequences required for medical, dental, veterinary, and related professional schools, students should familiarize themselves with the admission requirements for desired institutions as they choose which program aligns best. Northwestern University’s policy on awarding credits states that credit is awarded in units, rather than credit hours, on student transcripts. Courses are offered over a ten-week period and are assigned 1.0 unit of credit. One unit of credit is equivalent to four quarter hours, which is equivalent to 2.67 semester hours. Some institutions will round up to 3 semester hours while others will not, so it is imperative that students know the requirements of the institutions to which they intend to apply.

Transfer Credit Policy for Prephysical Therapy

Students in the Prephysical Therapy certificate program may transfer up to eight semester hours, or twelve quarter hours of academic credit. A transcript and grade of B or better are required for transferred courses in the program. Courses audited or taken with the pass/ no credit option cannot be applied toward a certificate program. Courses earned for a bachelor's degree at SPS may not be applied retroactively toward certificate requirements. Students who have completed up to two courses as a student-at-large may apply for a certificate and ask that those courses be included in the certificate. If students complete additional courses (beyond two) as a student-at-large, a petition to the Student Affairs Committee requesting an exception to policy should be submitted.  

Prephysical Therapy 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

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 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.

Prephysical Therapy Sample Course Plans

Review Sample Course Plans for the Prephysical Therapy Certificate Program offered by Northwestern University School of Professional Studies.

Prephysical Therapy Pre-Health Professional Student Group

Learn how students support one another through forums, resources and social networks on the Prephysical Therapy Pre-Health Professional Student Group page.


Find out more about the Prephysical Therapy Program

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