Pre-Physical Therapy Program at EIU

Physical Therapists work with patients to regain mobility after accidents or injury.  They work people of all ages, in schools, nursing homes, hospitals.  Like other health profesions the working entry-level degree is a master's level.  If a student wishes to pursue a graduate program in Physical Therapy, then attending Eastern for an undergraduate degree provides an excellent preparation. The Bachelor of Science degree in Biological Sciences includes most of the physical therapy prerequisites, but other academic majors are also acceptable. The Graduate Record Exam is required for entry into graduate programs. It is important to understand that Physical Therapy is a competitive field, so good grades, a strong GRE score, and volunteer experiences are a must!!

Other than general education requirements, most schools require the following as a minimum:

Biological Sciences 16 SH

BIO 1100 Biological Science
BIO 1300G Animal Diversity
BIO 2200 Human Anatomy
BIO 3520 Animal Physiology

Chemistry  8-16 SH

CHM 1310 & 1315 General Chemistry I
CHM 1410 & 1415 General Chemistry II

CHM 2440 / 2445 and 2840 / 2845 Organic Chemistry I and II with labs

Physics  8 SH

PHY 1151 & 1152 Principles of Physics I
PHY 1161G & 1162G Principles of Physics II

Mathematics 

MAT 1330 Trigonometry
MAT 1400 Precalculus
(MAT 1441 Calculus may be required by some schools)

Psychology  9 SH

PSY 1879 Principles of Psychology or PSY 2000 Introduction to Psychology

PSY 3515 Child Growth and Development

PSY 3780 Abnormal Psychology

CPR certification is required. Also, experience in the field of health care (preferably physical therapy, either actual or through observation) is generally required for admission to a Physical Therapy Program.

For additional information, please visit the following web site:

American Physical Therapy Association

For more information about the Pre-Physical Therapy Program at EIU, please contact us.

Ms. Pamela LeVine, Pre-Health Professions Advisor 
Life Science 2058
Department of Biological Sciences

Eastern Illinois University 
Charleston, IL  61920 

                Phone:  (217) 581-6390 
                Fax: (217) 581-7141 
                E-mail: plevine@eiu.edu