Pre-Physical Therapy
Available as a pre-professional program
At Roanoke College, we offer rigorous preparation in the sciences, along with a strong liberal arts background and access to clinical experiences and research opportunities. That gives our students an edge in gaining admission to top-quality graduate programs across the country.
As a student in Pre-Physical Therapy, you'll participate in the Health Professions Advising Group (HPAG), which is specially designed for students interested in careers in a variety of health fields.
Student Experiences
When You Get That Spark | Sarah Matteo
Doctoral Candidate at Radford University
Rachel Andrews '14, a Physics and Biochemistry double major, originally planned to go into engineering, but after job-shadowing a physical therapist, she decided her real passion was physical therapy. Andrews applied to a number of graduate programs in physical therapy.
Her advice? "Try to do a little research. If it involves research in physics or chemistry, some type of research is good to have. Schools like seeing students participating in research," she said. Now, Andrews is a doctoral candidate in Physical Therapy at Radford University.
Learn By Doing
Internships help you get into top graduate programs
We've established relationships with internship and placement sponsors in a wide range of medical specialties and at organizations such as:
- Advanced Physical Therapy of Virginia
- Carilion Roanoke Community Hospital
- LewisGale Regional Health System, Occupational and Outpatient Physical Therapy
- Medical University of South Carolina Physical Therapy Center
- Physicians to Children
- Thompson's Brain Injury Rehabilitation Center
Physical therapists rank among the top 10 on the following lists: CNNMoney.com on fastest-growing jobs, US News 100 "Best Jobs" and Forbes "Happiest Jobs."
Facilities
Cregger Center
The Cregger Center brings athletics, recreation, community engagement and academics together under one roof in a 155,000-square-foot state-of-the-art building.
News
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Catch up on the latest news from your talented faculty.
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The awards celebrate outstanding accomplishments in teaching, service, and professional contributions.
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Summer Scholars is a competitive program that offers paid research positions and enables students to do a deep dive into an original topic.
Contact
Health Careers Advising Board
A team of faculty advisors dedicated to supporting students pursuing healthcare professions
You'll be encouraged to complete internships with physical therapy professionals. The Roanoke Valley is a medical hub for Southwestern Virginia, and its rapidly growing medical community — including a new medical school and two major hospital systems — creates tremendous learning opportunities for you. You'll also have the opportunity to participate in a wide variety of high-level research projects at Roanoke.
Faculty advisors will work with you every step of the way beginning in your freshmen year. They not only help you select appropriate coursework and extracurricular activities, but also work with you to prepare for admissions testing, draft personal statements and develop strategies for professional school interviews.
Roanoke students in Pre-Physical Therapy can major in any academic discipline, but most graduate schools require completion of one year each of anatomy, physiology, chemistry, physics and psychology as well as one semester each of biology, applied anatomy and statistics. Graduate schools also require student applicants have experience shadowing a physical therapist in at least three different settings, 100-plus hours of volunteer time in a physical therapy setting and CPR certification.
We offer a pre-professional program in Pre-Physical Therapy.