Pre-Physical Therapy

Your Pathway to a Fulfilling Career

Do you want to pursue a doctorate in physical therapy? St. Scholastica is well-known for its wide variety of healthcare programs, like exercise physiology and psychology, which perfectly complement the graduate PT program. And, we’ll be with you every step of the way. Our pre-PT advisors will work with you to make sure you’re taking the courses you’ll need to qualify for the next steps.

Through this program, you will learn in an educational setting that embraces the five values from the Benedictine heritage, preparing you to care for others. We teach, mentor and work in ways shaped by the emphasis on Community, Hospitality, Respect, Stewardship and Love of Learning. You can also build a community with other aspiring physical therapists through the PT club.

Discover a bright future in a career with increasing demand and a median entry-level salary that provides ample opportunities for success.

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Benedictine Scholarship

All new first-year applicants to St. Scholastica will be awarded either the Benedictine Scholarship or the Access Award, upon admission to the College.

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Financial Aid

100% of traditional incoming undergraduates receive some type of scholarships. The average for scholarships, grants and/or loans is $31,841.

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Degree Details

Tuition

Are You Looking for a Face-to-Face (on-campus) Experience?

St. Scholastica’s longstanding commitment to inclusivity and generous financial aid packages make our world-class educational programs accessible to students from any background.

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Curriculum

Visit our Catalog to view information regarding Preparatory Programs. Be sure to create your course plan in consultation with your advisor.

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Career Outlook

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment for physical therapists is expected to grow by 14% between 2023 and 2033. This is well above average and represents an opportunity for those entering the profession or physical therapists who want to advance their credentials.

PTs work in a variety of settings, including hospitals, clinics, nursing care facilities, outpatient care centers, private practice, rehab centers, home healthcare agencies, academic and research settings
Salaries vary based on position, years of experience, degree of education, geographic location and practice setting

Pair with a Language

Boost your brainpower and give yourself a competitive edge in our global economy by pairing your major with a language. St. Scholastica offers programs and courses in American Sign Language, German, Ojibwe and Spanish.

Admission Information

Visit our admissions page for information about transcripts, online application, international admissions, financing and the Center for Equal Access.

DPT Admission Pathway

St. Scholastica offers an early assurance pathway to our Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program. High school and transfer students with a strong academic record are eligible to apply for the criterion-based, early admission program when they apply to St. Scholastica for the Exercise Physiology (BS) or Pre-Physical Therapy programs. A maximum of 20 applicants are accepted into the early assurance pathway each year. This guarantees that students who successfully apply and maintain their eligibility will be accepted into the DPT program.

Eligibility and Admission Process

Eligibility

High School Students

Students applying directly from high school must have a cumulative high school GPA of 3.3 or higher.

Transfer Students

Undergraduate students transferring from another college or university must have a cumulative college GPA of 3.3 or higher and require at least 60 additional credits taken at St. Scholastica to earn a bachelor’s degree.

Admission Process

Apply for admission to The College of St. Scholastica and declare your intent to pursue either Exercise Physiology (BS) or Pre-Physical Therapy
Declare intent to pursue the Doctor of Physical Therapy graduate program on the admission application
Prepare an essay with a minimum of 500 words for the following prompt: Grounded in a values-based, inclusive and student-centered culture, we develop physical therapists who are prepared for meaningful work as clinicians, scholars and leaders. Please share with the committee your career goals after college graduation and how you believe a St. Scholastica education will impact your work and what outcomes you hope to accomplish through your professional work.
Applications for the early assurance pathway will close on February 1. Applications submitted by the deadline will be reviewed by the Office of Admissions and eligible applicants will be offered a place in the early assurance pathway until the 20 slots are filled. Please submit your prepared statement to admissions@css.edu by the deadline.
Applications received after February 1 will be reviewed if open slots are available
Students who meet the criteria but apply after the 20 slots are full will be placed on a waitlist and can be entered into the pathway if one of the 20 students opts out or fails to meet the requirements noted below
Students who are not admitted into this pathway remain eligible to apply to the St. Scholastica Doctor of Physical Therapy program through the standard application process

Maintaining Eligibility

Students admitted into the DPT early assurance pathway must meet the following criteria to remain eligible for entry into the DPT graduate program:

Maintain a 3.3 cumulative GPA while a student at St. Scholastica and complete their undergraduate degree
Complete all DPT program prerequisite courses with a grade of C or better
Meet St. Scholastica student behavior expectations as outlined in the Student Handbook, Code of Conduct and Policy Library

Prior to entry into the DPT program, students on this pathway must also:

Apply to the DPT program through the Physical Therapy Central Application System (PTCAS). Applications must be submitted by the posted due date.
Pass a federal and state background check
Submit a final academic transcript

Students on this pathway are strongly encouraged to complete a minimum of 40 hours observing, volunteering or working in a physical therapy setting. Ideally, students should experience two unique physical therapy practice settings (inpatient, outpatient, etc.).

Meet Our Faculty

Experienced, Dedicated and Distinguished Educators

Expect to be heard, to be challenged and to be involved. St. Scholastica faculty are world-class scholars and experts in their field who invest in your success. Our values of community, respect, stewardship, hospitality and love of learning reflect our faculty’s commitment to lifting up others and celebrating our common humanity.

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