Pre-Physical Therapy Program

Program Overview

Pre-Physical Therapy Program

Our pre-physical therapy program prepares students for success in graduate study and a rewarding career as a physical therapist.

At a Glance

• Offered as: Pre-Professional
• Format: On Campus
• College/School: College of Arts & Sciences
• Campus Location: Chester, PA

Program Overview

A pre-physical therapy program is the first step toward becoming a physical therapist. At Widener, this means choosing from more than 10 majors, ranging from biology and chemistry to mathematics and visual and performing arts. No matter which path you pursue, you’ll develop cutting-edge skills, build connections with faculty mentors, and benefit from preferred admission to Widener’s doctor of physical therapy program—including a reserved seat for qualified students.

Pre-Physical Therapy Program Options

• Undergraduate Major Options:
  • Anthropology
  • Biology
  • Chemistry
  • Digital Media Informatics
  • Gender, Women, & Sexuality Studies
  • History
  • Mathematics
  • Modern Languages: French & Spanish
  • Psychology
  • Sociology
  • Visual and Performing Arts

These majors prepare students for careers in physical therapy by providing deep insight into the human mind and body, as well as culture and history—knowledge that’s needed to holistically treat clients.

Reserved Seat Admissions Programs

• Accelerated Reserved Seat 3+3:
  • Incoming first-year students with exceptional high school transcripts who have performed well in science courses may be offered the accelerated reserved seat 3+3 program.
  • This reserves a spot for the student in Widener’s doctor of physical therapy program.
  • To hold their reserved seat, students must follow the program, meet the minimum GPA requirement, receive the minimum required grades in all pre-requisite courses, and meet all other requirements for admission to the physical therapy program—including completing all prerequisite courses at Widener—during their first three years of undergraduate study.
  • Students must also provide documentation of at least 40 hours of observation in a physical therapy facility under a licensed physical therapist.
  • 3+3 students who have retained their reserved seat will submit their documents for matriculation into the graduate program in the fall of their junior year.
  • Undergraduate 3+3 students effectively complete their senior year in their first year of graduate school.
  • After successfully completing three years of undergraduate study and three years of graduate school, they earn their doctor of physical therapy degree.
• Reserved Seat 4+3:
  • Most incoming first-year students admitted to a pre-physical therapy pathway receive the reserved seat 4+3 admission.
  • This reserves them a spot in Widener’s doctor of physical therapy program and includes all of the same requirements and benefits as the 3+3 reserved seat admission program.
  • The 4+3 option allows students to complete all required courses for their academic major and all pre-requisite courses for the graduate program in four years.
  • It provides a less intense class schedule for students as they finish undergraduate study in the traditional four-year span.
  • Students will submit their documents for matriculation to the graduate program in the fall of their senior year.

Career Outlook & Outcomes for Pre-PT Students

• Avg. Salary: $95,620 (2021 median pay for physical therapists)
• Diverse Clinical Opportunities: The IPTE has relationships with a wide variety of clinical partners ranging from community hospitals to university medical centers, small private practices to large national outpatient facilities, home-care agencies, professional sports teams, school-based services, and more.
• Industry Growth: Employment of physical therapists is projected to grow 21% by 2030, much faster than the average for all occupations.

Why Study Pre-Physical Therapy at Widener?

• Reserve a Spot in Our Graduate PT Program: Save time, money, and perhaps even start your physical therapy career sooner with a reserved seat in Widener's competitive doctor of physical therapy program.
• Develop Real-World Skills: Preview your future profession through clinical education experiences under the supervision of a licensed physical therapist.
• Experience Mentorship & Support From Day One: We want to get to know you and see you succeed. Professors will pay attention to how you learn and what you want to accomplish.

Program Highlights

• 96.9% Pass Rate for the Ultimate National Physical Therapy Exam
• 96.9% Employment Rate for our physical therapy students
• Committed to Community: 100% of physical therapy students participate in community service.
• 93.6% Graduation Rate for our Class of 2023 physical therapy students

Admissions & Aid

• Admissions Information:
  • How to Apply as a First-Year Student: Applying to Widener is easy—and free! Simply complete our Widener Application or the Common Application.
  • You'll also need your official high school transcript and either an admissions essay or your SAT/ACT scores.
  • We're a test-optional school, so there's no need to submit both.
• When to Apply: We accept applications on a rolling basis—there are no hard deadlines.
• What to Expect After Applying: Once we receive your application and all materials, you can expect to hear back from us quickly.
• Along with your application decision, you'll also find out about any merit-based scholarship awards.
• You're automatically considered for merit scholarships as soon as you apply—you don't need to apply separately.

Paths to Savings

• Nearly 100% of Undergrad Students Receive Financial Aid
• Scholarships Start at $100,000 Over 4 Years (including $20,000 per academic year for transfer students)
• 4+1 Students Save Time & Tuition: In the Accelerated Advantage 4+1 program, you can save up to a year of tuition by pursuing a master's degree—resulting in thousands of dollars in savings.