Why think about graduate school, early? Deciding upon a career at this early stage in your life is probably not a top priority for you. However, if you're considering physical therapy (which is a graduate program at Pitt), your undergraduate experience is very important. The following information will be helpful to you early in your college career and even in your college search. After all, you want to choose a college or university that will provide you with a strong undergraduate foundation to prepare you for graduate school. The physical therapy program at Pitt... The Physical Therapy (PT) program, which is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education, is housed in the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences and leads to a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree. Guaranteed admission... A limited number of freshman applicants with outstanding high school credentials and SAT I or ACT results, who indicate physical therapy as their intended field of study on the admission application (you'll select pre-physical therapy) will be offered guaranteed admission to the University of Pittsburgh School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences graduate program in physical therapy. No special application is required. Selection will be based on the candidate's application for admission. Recommended/required undergraduate preparation... The DPT program is based on a strong, general, undergraduate foundation. The following is a list of courses that you are required to complete before you apply to the program. Required courses: Anatomy and Physiology (6-8 credits) Biological Sciences with Labs (8 credits) Chemistry with Labs (8 credits) Physics with Labs (8 credits) Psychology (6 credits) (General Introductory Psychology and either Abnormal Psychology, Child Psychology, or Developmental Psychology) English Composition (3 credits) Statistics Choosing an undergraduate major... There is no specific undergraduate major required for students wishing to be admitted into the physical therapy program. The early academic requirements are the courses listed above. Students do tend to earn degrees which are science-related due to the undergraduate course requirements. Some of the popular majors are biology, psychology, and athletic training. Admission requirements... Along with specific undergraduate course requirements, you will need to fulfill other requirements for admission consideration such as: Earn a Bachelor's Degree Obtain three letters of recommendation to submit with your application. Take the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). An abundance of health related professions . . . Many students begin their studies at the University of Pittsburgh with one health profession goal in mind and then find they're interested in another. The University offers a variety of health-related majors, as well as the opportunity to prepare for graduate/professional health-related fields. Because it is associated with a major medical center--the UPMC Health System—it is a terrific place to investigate different options. Just check out our list of Academic Departments and Programs to get an idea. Remember, there are plenty of academic advisors to help you plan along the way.