Pre-Physical Therapy Bachelor of Science

What will I study?

The Pre-Physical Therapy program provides coursework that prepares students for acceptance into Doctor of Physical Therapy programs and a wide variety of other allied health programs. A unique combination of biology (29 credits), chemistry (8 credits), physics (8 credits), and exercise science (9 hrs) courses helps students to understand the scientific concepts and principles underlying the discipline of physical therapy. Taught from a biblical worldview and in combination with the liberal arts core, the student will also be able to articulate a biblical philosophy of issues in professional physical therapy practice.

Program Learning Outcomes
The student will ...
-- Critically and logically evaluate the limitations of science and the central concepts of neo-Darwinism and construct counter arguments against them.
-- Apply the relationship that exists between structure and function on the cellular and organ system levels and make correct predictions of the failure of homeostatic mechanisms.
-- Solve inheritance problems that demonstrate an understanding of fundamental transmission genetics and diagram the central dogma of biology.
-- Relate basic physical concepts of force, levers, torque, tension, and impulse to human anatomy and physiology.
-- Apply principles of human physiology to exercise and exercise therapy.
-- Interpret and assess, within a biblical worldview, the ethical and psychological issues encountered in physical therapy practice.
-- Evaluate and analyze biblically the practice of physical therapy within actual clinical settings, and formulate a biblical philosophy of practice.

What classes will I take?

Future Careers

When you approach the conclusion of your bachelor's degree, you will begin to consider seriously where you will pursue your graduate study. BJU's enviable reputation for placing students into advanced medical studies (better than two-thirds in medical schools, for example) will be a great asset to you. You may choose to return to your home state, or you may prefer to remain in South Carolina for your master's degree. You will undoubtedly be interested to know that the Medical University of South Carolina has indicated that our graduates will have the same admission status as S.C. residents since they graduated from a S.C. postsecondary institution. This fact alone increases greatly your opportunity for acceptance.

What happens, however, if for some reason you decide not to continue with your plans toward physical therapy? This program is also appropriate for students interested in allied health careers, such as anesthesiologist's assistant, athletic trainer, blood bank technologist, cytotechnologist, medical technologist, medical record administrator, nuclear medicine technologist, occupational therapist, perfusionist, physician's assistant, or surgeon's assistant.

Students can network with a variety of employers through our online placement service, CareerCentral. A multitude of employment opportunities are posted annually. In addition, over 60 businesses and 150 Christian schools/mission boards/Christian organizations come on campus to recruit students in a variety of majors through on-campus interviews and job/ministry fairs. The Career Services office also helps students by holding seminars on resume preparation and interview techniques.

Career Services can help you prepare for job hunting and networking with employers.

View Gainful Employment data for this major