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Azusa Pacific University

Pre-PT/OT Track

Azusa, USA

DURATION

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LANGUAGES

English

PACE

Full time

APPLICATION DEADLINE

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EARLIEST START DATE

Aug 2025

TUITION FEES

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STUDY FORMAT

On-Campus

Fast-track counseling

By contacting the school, you'll get access to free priority counselling for any study and application questions.

Key Summary

About: The Pre-PT/OT Track prepares students for graduate study in Physical Therapy (PT) or Occupational Therapy (OT). This program focuses on the foundational knowledge and skills required for these healthcare fields. Students will engage in coursework that aligns with the prerequisites for graduate programs.

Career Outcomes: Graduates can pursue careers as physical therapists, occupational therapists, or roles in related healthcare settings. The program equips students for further studies and enhances their understanding of patient care and rehabilitation practices.

Introduction

Pursue a Pre-Physical Therapy / Occupational Therapy Track at Azusa Pacific University

This is a benefit and advising relationship provided to your Allied Health degree if you’re accepted into the track. APU’s pre-PT/OT track will support you in your career goals if you plan to apply to physical therapy or occupational therapy (PT/OT) school. You’ll be familiar with the physical and occupational therapy school admission process through step-by-step advising and mock interview preparation with APU’s pre-PT/OT committee. You will also have the opportunity to receive a committee letter in support of your physical or occupational therapy school application. After completing five foundational courses, you will be eligible for application to this track.

Program at a Glance

The School of Humanities and Sciences offers diverse well-rounded degree programs to prepare critical thinkers to make a difference in the world for Christ.

Application Deadline

Normally, you’ll apply to the pre-PT/OT track in your sophomore year, while taking BIOL 251 and/or CHEM 152 which are required. The Department of Biology and Chemistry admits dedicated students with strong academic records and a serious commitment to occupational therapy.

Location

Azusa (Main Campus)

Gain Hands-on Experience

Receive mentorship from a licensed physical therapist.
Prepare for grad school interviews via a mock interview with the pre-PT/OT committee.
Benefit from focused academic advising tailored toward your career goals.

Admissions

Scholarships and Funding

Curriculum

Premedical/Predental

While any major is compatible with medicine, an emphasis on science courses is mandatory for completion of the academic prerequisites of medical and dental schools. Azusa Pacific’s Department of Biology and Chemistry offers excellent curricula for such programs. Students enjoy strong academic advising on preparatory coursework and a great deal of personal contact with professors within the classroom and advising environments.

Students enter the premedical/predental track by application, usually not earlier than the second semester of the sophomore year. Admission to the program is based on an evaluation of academic success and realistic plans for a health career. Students who complete this track have a high success rate for acceptance into medical and dental schools. The program equips students to integrate scientific, cultural, and religious views and develops the skills and objectivity necessary for the advancement of scientific knowledge.

To assist in attaining this goal, APU provides an advisor and a premedical/predental advisory committee to assist students in course selection, monitor academic progress, provide information on medical and dental school admission policies, conduct mock interviews, and, in general, aid students in focusing their preparation for medical or dental school.

In addition, career seminars and a Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT) review course (BIOL 470) led by the university premedical advisor are offered. A high MCAT score and a high grade-point average are necessary in applying to a medical school.

In addition to the General Education requirement, the following is typical of the academic prerequisites required by most medical and dental schools:

Chemistry

General Chemistry I
General Chemistry II
Organic Chemistry: Theory I
and Organic Chemistry: Theory II
Organic Chemistry - Lab
Organic Chemistry - Lab

Biology

General Biology I
General Biology II

Mathematics

Calculus I
Calculus II

Physics

Select one of the following:

Physics for Life Sciences I
Physics for Life Sciences II
Physics for Science and Engineering: Mechanics and Physics for Science and Engineering: Electricity and Magnetism
Physics Laboratory I
Physics Laboratory II

The following courses also provide excellent preparation for medical school:

Principles of Biochemistry
Biomolecular Chemistry and Biomolecular Metabolism
Biology of Microorganisms
Cell Biology
Genetics
Vertebrate Biology
Regional Human Anatomy
Mammalian Physiology
Quantitative Chemical Analysis - Theory and Quantitative Chemical Analysis - Laboratory
General Psychology
Introduction to Sociology

Pre-PT/OT

Physical and occupational therapy programs require the completion of prerequisite science courses. Azusa Pacific’s Department of Biology and Chemistry offers excellent curricula and faculty mentoring to complete these mandatory requirements. Students benefit from strong academic advising on preparatory coursework from a committee that includes a doctor of physical therapy as the committee chair.

Students enter the pre-PT/OT track by application while completing BIOL 251 Human Physiology. Admission to the program is based on an evaluation of academic success and realistic plans for a health career. Students in this track can anticipate a high success rate for admission to physical or occupational therapy schools as they become familiar with the physical/occupational therapy school admission process (PTCAS/OTCAS) through personalized, step-by-step advising and a mock interview with the pre-PT/OT committee. In addition, students have the opportunity to receive a committee letter in support of their physical or occupational therapy school application.

In addition to the General Education requirement, the following is typical of the academic prerequisites required by most physical and occupational therapy programs:

General Biology I
Human Anatomy
Human Physiology

BIOL Elective

General Chemistry I
General Chemistry II
Physics Laboratory I
Physics Laboratory II &; &;
Physics for Life Sciences I&;
Physics for Life Sciences II

Prelaw

Azusa Pacific University’s Department of History and Political Science offers a prelaw minor for students interested in law school. The 21-unit minor includes courses in political science, criminal law, constitutional law, and political philosophy. The department’s prelaw advisor assists prelaw students in selecting appropriate courses and in the process of identifying and applying to law schools.