OHIO University Undergraduate Catalog 2024-25
Psychology Prephysical Therapy Major (B.S.) |
Major code BS4105
College of Arts and Sciences
Psychology
Porter Hall 200
Athens, OH 45701
Phone 740.593.1707
psychology@ohio.edu
www.ohio.edu/cas/psychology
Susan Tice-Alicke, contact person tices@ohio.edu
Program Overview
Ohio University offers a unique opportunity to the prospective physical therapist. Recognized for leadership in the development of preprofessional physical therapy curricula since the 1930s, the Biological Sciences Department and the Psychology Department work cooperatively with the School of Rehabilitation and Communication Sciences. The psychology prephysical therapy major (B.S.) provides students with a comprehensive understanding of psychology while providing students who want to become physical therapists with the necessary prerequisities to apply to physical therapy professional programs.
Admissions Information
Freshman/First-Year Admission
No requirements beyond University admission requirements.
Change of Program Policy
No selective or limited admission requirements.
External Transfer Admission
No requirements beyond University admission requirements.
Opportunities Upon Graduation
Graduates with a degree in psychology prephysical therapy are equipped with the necessary skills and academic knowledge to pursue a doctoral program in physical therapy. If students choose to pursue a career upon graduation, they are equipped for a diverse array of careers due to their academic program’s emphasis on communication and critical and analytical thinking. Career opportunities range from work in the human services sector, such as counseling, crisis work, and performance enhancement; work in research, from social and market research to experimental psychology; and even work in the business sector, with positions in sales, public relations, and customer service. Potential employers of psychology graduates include, but are not limited to, the following: hospitals and healthcare providers; institutions of higher education; rehabilitation facilities; local, state, and national government agencies; social services and non-profit agencies; public and private K-12 schools; research organizations; service providers; etc.
Browse through dozens of Internship opportunities and full-time job postings for Ohio University students and alumni on Handshake , OHIO’s key resource for researching jobs, employers, workshops, and professional development events.
Requirements
University-wide Graduation Requirements
Ohio University requires the completion of a minimum of 120 semester hours for the conferral of a bachelor’s degree. This program can be completed within that 120-hour requirement. For more information on the minimum hours requirement and other university-wide requirements, please review the Graduation Requirements – University-wide page.
Liberal Arts and Sciences Distribution Requirement
View the College and Liberal Arts and Sciences Distribution Requirements .
Preparation for Physical Therapy
Ohio University offers a unique opportunity to the prospective physical therapist. Recognized for leadership in the development of preprofessional physical therapy curricula since the 1930s, the Department of Biological Sciences, and the Department of Psychology, both in the College of Arts and Sciences, work cooperatively with the School of Rehabilitation and Communication Sciences in the College of Health Sciences and Professions.
Physical therapy programs are offered at the graduate level only. As of January 1, 2002, undergraduate physical therapy programs are no longer accredited. To be eligible for admission to most accredited professional schools of physical therapy, you must first complete the baccalaureate-level preprofessional preparatory coursework and then apply on a competitive basis to a professional school of physical therapy. If you are accepted, the professional program extends for an additional two to three years, culminating in a degree in physical therapy. The optional plans of study available will prepare you to be highly qualified for admission to most schools of physical therapy. However, some professional programs require special prerequisites—either courses or practical experience as a volunteer—before you apply for admission. It is your responsibility to check the admission requirements for programs you wish to attend and, in consultation with your academic advisor, to fulfill any special prerequisites.
Ohio University has the first entry-level doctoral program in the state of Ohio. Although a master’s degree is sufficient to sit for the national licensing examination, the profession has been making a rather rapid transition to the doctoral degree (DPT). At Ohio University, the entry-level doctoral three-year program in physical therapy admits students on a competitive basis. A baccalaureate degree is required for admission to the program. Although a baccalaureate degree in any field is acceptable, as long as the prerequisites have been attained, the most direct routes at Ohio University are the Biological Sciences—Prephysical Therapy or Psychology—Prephysical Therapy major in the College of Arts and Sciences. A major in exercise physiology in the College of Health Sciences and Professions is also an option.
Application to graduate school should be made in the senior year. The GRE should be taken at the beginning of the senior year, in order to meet requirements for early admission status. Some volunteer experience is possible through Ohio University Therapy Associates.
For additional information, see the Biological Sciences—Prephysical Therapy or Psychology—Prephysical Therapy majors in the catalog, and “Physical Therapy” in the College of Health Sciences and Professions section. Students should consult the Web page ( www.ohio.edu/chsp/rehab/physical-therapy ) for the most up-to-date information.
Psychology Core Requirements
Complete the following courses for a minimum of 35 hours with PSY prefix:
- PSY 1010 - General Psychology Credit Hours: 3
- PSY 2120 - Research Methods in Psychology Credit Hours: 4
- PSY 2210 - Physiological Psychology Credit Hours: 3
- PSY 2310 - Cognitive Psychology Credit Hours: 3
- PSY 2410 - Child and Adolescent Psychology Credit Hours: 3
- PSY 2510 - Social Psychology Credit Hours: 3
- PSY 2710 - Psychopathology Credit Hours: 3
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and either
- PSY 2110 - Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences Credit Hours: 4
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or both
- PSY 2111 - Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences I Credit Hours: 2
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and
- PSY 2112 - Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences II Credit Hours: 2
Extradepartmental Courses
Complete the following courses:
- BIOS 1700 - Biological Sciences I: Molecules and Cells Credit Hours: 3
- BIOS 1705 - Biological Sciences I Laboratory Credit Hours: 1
- BIOS 1710 - Biological Sciences II: Ecology, Evolution, Animal Body Systems Credit Hours: 3
- BIOS 1715 - Biological Sciences II Laboratory Credit Hours: 1
- BIOS 3010 - Human Anatomy Credit Hours: 3
- BIOS 3015 - Human Anatomy Lab Credit Hours: 1
- BIOS 3450 - Human Physiology Credit Hours: 3
- BIOS 3455 - Human Physiology Laboratory Credit Hours: 2
- CHEM 1510 - Fundamentals of Chemistry I Credit Hours: 4
- CHEM 1520 - Fundamentals of Chemistry II Credit Hours: 4
- PHYS 2001 - Introduction to Physics Credit Hours: 4
- PHYS 2002 - Introduction to Physics Credit Hours: 4
- PT 2590 - Introduction to Physical Therapy Credit Hours: 2
- SOC 1000 - Introduction to Sociology Credit Hours: 3
Complete one of the following MATH courses:
- MATH 1350 - Survey of Calculus Credit Hours: 4
- MATH 2301 - Calculus I Credit Hours: 4
Complete one of the following PHIL courses:
- PHIL 1300 - Introduction to Ethics Credit Hours: 3
- PHIL 3310 - Moral Problems in Medicine Credit Hours: 3
Option 1: Biological Sciences
Complete the following courses:
- BIOS 4450 - Physiology of Exercise Credit Hours: 3
- BIOS 4460 - Physiology of Exercise Laboratory Credit Hours: 2
Option 2: Exercise Physiology
Complete the following courses:
- EXPH 4140 - Physiology of Exercise Credit Hours: 3
- EXPH 4145 - Physiology of Exercise Lab Credit Hours: 2