Pre-Physical Therapy
Available as a pre-professional advising track
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 Careers Advising Board (HPAB), 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
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."
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
Facilities
Cutting-Edge Facilities
Our state-of-the-art Athletic Training room serves our athletes while providing a venue for hands-on classroom experiences and internships.
The Health and Human Peformance Lab is fully-equipped with everything you need to explore clinical exercise science, movement science, and fitness and wellness. Classroom, small-group, and one-on-one experiences are tailored to support skills building in a variety of subfields, including athlete performance testing, functional protocols for special populations, rehabilitative methods, motion analysis, and explorations in epidemiology.
The Cregger Center is the home of the Belk Fitness Center and the Roanoke College Athletic Training Program. It has two classrooms, an instructional technology classroom, the Athletic Department and an indoor track in the Fieldhouse.
Modern classrooms feature bright, airy spaces conducive to collaborative, hands-on learning.
A Roanoke student uses the latest portable equipment to measure metabolic response to physical activity.
News
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The final interior beam of the center’s new building was put in place July 23.
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Radford University’s competitive Master of Science in athletic training program has agreed to reserve seats for Roanoke College students.
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Market on Melrose is the result of nine years of research and development led by Professor Liz Ackley and Roanoke College’s Center for Community Health Innovation.
Contact
Health Careers Advising Board
A team of faculty advisors dedicated to supporting students pursuing healthcare professions
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This interactive workshop, the first of a two-part event, is intended to train researchers to better communicate their work with people outside of their field. Folks from all programs are encouraged to attend!
- Date:
- March 27, 2026
- Time:
- 4 - 6 p.m.
- Location:
Antrim Chapel
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Engaged in research? Consider competing in this year's Nutshell Games Competition for a chance to win an Amazon e-gift card.
- Date:
- April 21, 2026
- Time:
- 6 - 7:30 p.m.
- Location:
Antrim Chapel
