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Undergraduate

Pre-Physical Therapy (Concentration)

The concentration in physical therapy prepares you for graduate study in the field. Fieldwork and classroom learning build a foundation of knowledge necessary for students to pursue a career helping people achieve independence, meaning and satisfaction in their lives or restoring independence after an injury, illness, disability or psychological dysfunction.

The minimal entry-level degree for practice as a Physical Therapist is a clinical doctoral degree in the Physical Therapy. The Concentration in Physical Therapy is designed to prepare students by completing the prerequisite courses that allow them more success when applying to graduate programs. Students completing the concentration must also complete the requirements of a major prior to graduation. While a student may complete any major with the concentration, many students interested in Physical Therapy have majored in Biology, Health Science, Human Services and Rehabilitation Studies, or Psychology, and many of the courses required for the concentration are also required for completion of these majors.

In addition, Assumption has established an agreement with the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences to provide a smooth transition from your undergraduate degree to a Doctor of Physical Therapy program.

Program Contact

Gary R Senecal, Ph.D

Assistant Professor of Human Services
508-767-7590 Switzer Building - Room 112

An Ideal Place to Learn

100%
All classes taught by professors, none by teaching assistants
Students from 29 states and 21 countries
11:1
Student/Faculty ratio

Program Curriculum

  • First-semester freshman who want to complete the concentration should enroll in BIO 160, CHE 131, HRS 125, and the appropriate math course (i.e., MAT 114 or MAT 117). First-year students should also consult with the Health Professions Advisor, Dr. Steven Theroux, or Human Services and Rehabilitation Studies Advisor, Dr. Robert Caron at the beginning of the fall semester to plan out the remainder of their course of study.

    Course Requirements
    HRS 125 Professional Orientation to Physical and Occupational Therapy (Spring)
    BIO 160 Concepts in Biology
    BIO 240 Human Anatomy (Fall)
    BIO 370 General Physiology (Spring)
    CHE 131 General Chemistry I (Fall)
    CHE 132 General Chemistry II (Spring) (Note: MAT 114 is a pre-requisite for CHE 132)
    PHY 201 General Physics (Fall)
    PHY 202 General Physics (Spring)
    BIO/HRS 390 Exercise Physiology (Fall)
    PSY 101 General Psychology
    PSY 216 Abnormal Psychology
    PSY 290 Psychology of Development
    SOC 121 Principles of Sociology

    One of the two HRS courses listed below:

    HRS 490 Internship in Human Services and Rehabilitation Studies (if HSRS Major-12 Credits)
    HRS 400 Human Services and Rehabilitation Studies (if Non-HSRS Major-3 credits)

    One of the following Statistics courses:

    PSY 224 Statistics
    ECO 115 Statistics

    One of the following math courses:

    MAT 114 Elementary Functions
    MAT 117 Calculus I

    Recommended (but not required) coursework:

    BIO 415 Principles of Neuroscience
    PSY 251 Introduction to Brain and Behavior

    A significant number of hours (as many as 1,000) in fieldwork related to health care may be required for admission to some PT programs. The internship experience required for our program may not provide all of the hours needed to satisfy this 198 requirement. Additional experience can be gained by volunteer work or by acquiring a paid position as a rehabilitation aide. It may also be possible to obtain additional fieldwork experience by completing additional internships within the major.

    It is also important to note that some graduate programs have atypical course requirements. Students who are considering applying to graduate school for Physical Therapy should review the admission requirements of the schools they plan to apply to by the beginning of their junior year in order to be certain they will have time to complete all of the necessary coursework before graduation.

    Course Descriptions

Experiential Learning

Assumption's Rome Campus

At Assumption's campus in Rome, Italy, the city and the country become your classroom through daily and weekend-long excursions throughout "the eternal city" and the Italian countryside. This unique study abroad experience will enrich your academic and cultural pursuits as you walk in the footsteps of emperors and gladiators then enjoy delectable Italian cuisine or perhaps a cappuccino after class in a local cafe. (Did you know that your financial aid follows you to Rome?)

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Internships

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American Red Cross

Brigham and Women’s Hospital-Boston

Catholic Social Services

Cascade Disability Management

Department of Youth Services

Devereux School

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Jewish Health Care

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Massachusetts Department of Social Services

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New England Center for Children (NECC)

Public Schools of Massachusetts

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UMASS-Early Intervention Programs

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