Physical Therapist
DISCLAIMER: CSUSB does not offer an P.T. program. This page serves as an informational resource only.
By combining assessments, treatment planning, exercise techniques, and educational initiatives, physical therapists aim to help individuals regain function, reduce pain, and enhance their overall quality of life. Physical therapists are responsible for conducting thorough assessments, creating treatment plans, and developing both individual and group therapy programs with varying levels of complexity. They perform physical examinations and use specialized tests and measures to assess strength, range of motion, balance, coordination, and other relevant factors.
They utilize a range of physical therapy methods, including ultrasound, electrical stimulation, massage, traction, and hydrotherapy. Additionally, they employ various exercise techniques to help patients improve their balance and gait. Ensuring patient safety is a top priority, whether in designated treatment areas or when explaining and demonstrating physical therapy procedures to hospital personnel, students, or community members.
Furthermore, physical therapists may provide in-service educational programs to residents and other medical professionals, teaching specific physical therapy procedures.
Physical Therapy Prerequisites
NOTE: CSUSB does not offer a Physical Therapist educational program. Information is for pre-health advising purposes. Specific prerequisite courses can vary by school--always double-check the website of each physical therapy school you are applying to for specific requirements. Please review the CSUSB Catalog as a guide to completing the CSUSB prerequisites.
| Prerequisites | CSUSB Courses |
Biology: One year or two semesters of General Biology with lab A year of Anatomy & Physiology must include a lab. Courses can be separated into one semester of anatomy, one semester of physiology, or taken as a year-long series | BIOL 2010 & BIOL 2020
BIOL 2230 and BIO 2240 OR BIOL 4630 and BIO 4640 |
Chemistry: One year or two semesters of General Chemistry with lab | CHEM 2100, 2100L & CHEM 2200, 2200L |
Calculus: One year or two semesters of Calculus | Math 2210 and Math 2220 *Math 1401 is a prerequisite to Calculus I |
Physics: One year or two semesters of Physics with lab | PHYS 2500 & 2500L and PHYS 2510 & 2510L (General series) OR PHYS 2000 & 2000L and PHYS 2010 & 2010L (Intro series) *Confirm institutional requirements, as some will require General Physics not Introductory |
Statistics: A semester of Statistics typically containing descriptive and inferential statistical topics | MATH 1201, or MATH 1202 and MATH 1203, or KINE 3700 |
Medical Terminology KINE 2200
General Psychology PSYC 1100 or Developmental Psychology PSYC 2201
Physical Therapy Schools
Articulation Agreements
- Loma Linda University - Allied Health Programs (80+ programs including PT & PA)
- Western University of Health Sciences - Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) - California & Oregon