Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science with a Concentration in Pre-Physical Therapy Trevecca Nazarene University

Trevecca’s exercise science concentration in pre-physical therapy prepares you for graduate studies that lead to a career as a physical therapist. This bachelor’s program degree, which is geared toward students aiming to pursue a master’s or doctorate in physical therapy, offers rigorous coursework and three practicums, giving you a strong educational foundation and valuable field experience.

What to Expect

Trevecca’s pre-physical therapy program is a concentration track within our exercise science major that prepares you for the graduate studies you’ll need to pursue a career in physical therapy (PT). Physical therapists are vital members of the healthcare community who educate patients on their conditions, promote movement and healing, reduce pain and disability, and restore function, thus increasing patients’ quality of life. A career in PT offers diverse professional opportunities. As you advance in your career, you can choose to specialize in areas like orthopedics, sports therapy, pediatrics, geriatrics, neurological or cardiovascular physical therapy, and more. You can also work in a variety of environments like hospitals, outpatient clinics, private offices, rehabilitation clinics, assisted living facilities, educational institutions, sports facilities, or home health agencies.

This degree fully prepares you for graduate school by meeting all prerequisite requirements. It gives you a solid foundation through core science classes and also covers topics like nutrition, therapeutic modalities, exercise physiology, fitness assessment and prescription, therapeutic exercise and rehabilitation, sports medicine, and more. With three practicums, the program also provides incredible opportunities for hands-on learning. You’ll get insight into career opportunities as you work with therapists in a variety of clinical settings in the exciting Nashville market.

Why Choose Trevecca?

Founded in 1901 and a leader in online education for more than two decades, Trevecca helps students discover and pursue an individual calling by providing innovative instruction; cultivating a supportive, Christ-centered community; and establishing relationships that open doors.

Recognized nationally and locally for academic quality, Trevecca has earned a reputation for providing the world with servant leaders, problem solvers, and difference makers. Trevecca’s holistic approach to education encompasses intellectual, social, emotional, physical, and spiritual growth.

As a Christian university, we offer programs that explore the ways faith intersects with your field of study. This means you can gain your pre-physical therapy degree in a supportive, Christian community with small classroom sizes and engaged faculty members who care about you, your faith, and your goals.

General Education — 49-51 hours

Exceptions:

• BIO 1510 is the required Lab Science option
• SCI 2600 is not required

Exercise Science Core — 45 hours

• ALH 3060 Medical Terminology 1 or 3
• BIO 1520 General Biology II 4
• BIO 2010 Anatomy-Physiology I 4
• BIO 2020 Anatomy-Physiology II 4
• EXS 2000 Basic Nutrition Across the Lifespan 2
• EXS 2230 Introduction to Exercise Science 1
• EXS 2240 Practicum I: Exercise Science 1
• EXS 3090 Physiology of Exercise 3
• EXS 3100 Kinesiology 3
• EXS 3240 Practicum II: Exercise Science 1
• EXS 3500 Sport Medicine 3
• EXS 4300 Fitness Assessment and Exercise Prescription 3
• EXS 4500 Senior Seminar: Exercise Science 1
• EXS 4515 Therapeutic Modalities 3
• EXS 4525 Therapeutic Exercise and Rehabilitation I 3
• EXS 4530 Therapeutic Exercise and Rehabilitation II 3
• EXS 4540 Research Methods and Design-Exercise Science 2
• PSY 2060 Behavioral Science Statistics 3

ALH 3060: 1 hour required

Choose an Area of Concentration or a Different Minor — 15-27 hours

Areas of Concentration:

Pre-Physical Therapy — 19 hours

• CHE 1040 General Chemistry I 4
• CHE 1050 General Chemistry II 4
• EXS 2100 Nutrition for Fitness and Performance 3
• PHY 1010 Basic College Physics I 4 or PHY 2110 General Physics I 4
• PHY 1020 Basic College Physics II 4 or PHY 2120 General Physics II 4

Choose one of the following — 3 hours

• PSY 2175 Human Growth and Development 3
• PSY 4150 Abnormal Psychology 3

Choose one of the following — 3 hours *

• PSY 2010 General Psychology 3
• SOC 2010 General Sociology 3

* Both courses required; one should be taken as a behavioral science elective in the general education requirements.

Pre-Physician Assistant — 26-27 hours

• BIO 2820 Microbiology 4
• BIO 3620 Immunology 3 or BIO 3720 Genetics 4
• CHE 1040 General Chemistry I 4
• CHE 1050 General Chemistry II 4
• CHE 2010 Organic Chemistry I 4
• CHE 3510/BIO 3510 Biochemistry I 4
• PSY 2175 Human Growth and Development 3

Recommended

• CHE 2020 Organic Chemistry II 4
• BIO 3520/CHE 3520 Biochemistry II 4

Electives — 0-11 hours

Total Credit Hours: 120-123

If you want to become a physical therapist and plan to pursue a graduate degree in physical therapy, Trevecca’s pre-physical therapy program was created for you. This program offers the classes you need to meet all the prerequisites for application to graduate school. The rigor of each class will challenge and equip you to meet the expectations of graduate school, and you’ll work closely with academic advisors who serve as mentors. They’ll help ensure that your coursework meets the specifications of your graduate school of choice.