Christian Universities for Pre-Physical Therapy

By Calli Wolfenden, Staff Writer
 

Physical therapy, though emerging as its own field of medicine in the 1900s, has actually been around since ancient times. The practice of healing through stretching, massaging, hydrotherapy, and movement was supported and used as early as 435 BC by Hippocrates, also known as “The Father of Medicine.” Physical therapy has been used to treat medical conditions far beyond just muscular injuries, including illnesses, paralysis, vertigo, spinal pain, headaches, stroke recovery, and even (at one point) polio. The application of a physical therapy degree is leaving a lasting and sustainable impact in the lives of patients looking for healing.

Pursuing the first step to a physical therapy degree at a Christian college will prepare you for a doctorate program and a career that cares for patients with the same love, gentleness, and compassion that Christ calls us to as His hands and feet. Your skills and academics will be developed and sharpened, while your faith is nurtured and challenged. A Christian college educates you with a perspective that allows you to see the intersection and intertwining of the Bible, science, and God. At a Christian college, you’ll be equipped for an impactful career and a faith-centered life.

List of potential career options for those who choose to major in physical therapy:

• Physical Therapist: Physical Therapists help patients recover from injuries and illnesses through specialized movements to strengthen, improve mobility, and manage pain. They are healthcare professionals who often work with doctors to provide patients with comprehensive care. They work with people of all ages and professions, including athletes, to provide care and increase quality of life through physical wellness.
• Sports Physical Therapists: A Sports Physical Therapist is a licensed professional who specializes in the treatment, evaluation, and prevention of sports related injuries. They may also work specifically with one sport, or they may work more broadly, helping educate athletes about injury prevention and treatment. The treatment options they provide may include manual therapy, rehabilitation exercises, stretches, and more. Injuries they treat include things such as sprains, muscle and ligament tears, and they may even assist with post-surgery rehab.
• Geriatric Physical Therapist: Geriatric Physical Therapists work primarily with older patients and are licensed physical therapists. Much of their specialization is handling age-related conditions, like osteoporosis, arthritis, balance disorders, and recovery from surgeries or strokes. Additionally, they may also work on fall prevention with their clients, on top of increasing mobility and strength, to make everyday tasks both easier and as painless as possible.
• Acute Care Physical Therapist: Acute Care Physical Therapists work in hospitals and treat patients with sudden or serious medical conditions, like surgery recovery, illnesses, injuries, or stays in intensive care. They work to help them regain mobility and strength, including things like breathing exercises, some strength training, and walking practice. They monitor patients’ vital signs, progress, and work with doctors and nurses to ensure that care is effective and cohesive.
• Researcher in Physical Therapy: A Researcher in Physical Therapy aims to improve therapeutic methods and practices of the field of Physical Therapy and find new methods, technologies, or treatments for different kinds of injuries and illnesses. They do this through studying movements, rehab techniques, and designing and conducting studies to test new methods. Their findings may be published in academic journals and potentially even be put into practice if their methods are found effective, changing the world of physical therapy.

As of 2024, the placement rates for the physical therapy degree is about 99.5%, which is one of the highest percentages for any degree. That said, a physical therapy degree is not a bachelor’s degree, but a Doctor of Physical Therapy, meaning that in order to really own the title, you have to pursue further education. The average annual salary is around $101,020, making it a highly rewarding field, both in terms of finances and impact. The degree, like many others, is growing more popular, with such enticing benefits, so the competition will also ramp up. So, what can you do while in college to give yourself the best chance of excelling with a physical therapy degree?

The first thing you’ll need to focus on is your academics. As with almost every medical or medical-related degree, you’ll need more than a bachelor’s degree to enter the field. So, you’ll need to tailor your education to the Doctor of Physical Therapy programs that you are interested in, ensure that you have all the science classes they require under your belt, and that your GPA meets or exceeds their requirements. For many DPT programs, the minimum GPA is 3.5 or higher. You’ll need to keep track of your grades and which classes you need for the programs you are most interested in for your post-graduate studies.

Experience is the next pillar of success. Getting a job, even with your Doctor of Physical Therapy, will largely depend on you having experience from an internship, job, or volunteer work. Some DPT programs may even have internships built in to their curriculum, which motivates and ensures that their students have the best possible chance of entering into their career after graduation. Experience shows potential employers that you have a basic understanding of the work and industry knowledge. Not only do internships or jobs look good on your resume, they also give you the opportunity to sample the work and ensure that it really is what you want to do.

Building a network of peers, professors, and professionals is also key to succeeding. Having connections in the industry who can speak for your experience, expertise, character, and personality are so important. You never know when you’ll need someone to give you a letter of recommendation, or someone who can potentially recommend you to clients. These connections can also be the “foot-in-the-door” you need for potential job openings or opportunities where they have a network connection.

Both while you are working toward your physical therapy degree and when you enter the profession, you’ll need to be a dedicated learner who is willing to continue research and keep up to date with new treatment and studies taking place. Communication is key in physical therapy, as you’ll need to explain treatment plans, stretches, therapy, and some complex medical concepts to patients in a way that they can understand. You’ll also need to be able to encourage patients when progress is not going the way they hoped or during setbacks, which can easily lead to discouragement and frustration. Additionally, being able to empathize with patients is a necessity, as they will be more receptive to your instruction and advice if they feel heard and understood. Time management, organizational skills, and reliability are vital characteristics to make balancing patients, a busy schedule, and a healthy lifestyle possible. Someone with a combination of all these characteristics will be well suited to a career with a physical therapy degree, whether in hospitals, private practices, or in ministry.

Work Cited:

• Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Physical Therapists, at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/physical-therapists.htm (visited February 01, 2026).
• “The History and Impact of Physical Therapy.” Supplemental Health Care, 17 Oct. 2017, shccares.com/blog/allied-health/history-and-impact-of-physical-therapy/.
• Lum, Jeff. “The Enduring Journey of Healing: A History of Physical Therapy.” Mobile Spine Specialist Physical Therapy, 14 May 2025, mobilespinespecialist.com/history-of-physical-therapy/.
• Aggregate Program Data, 24 July 2025, www.capteonline.org/globalassets/capte-docs/aggregate-data/2024-pt-aggregate-program-data-fact-sheet.pdf.

By Calli Wolfenden, Staff Writer
 

Isaiah 40:31
“… but those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.” (NIV)

Hebrews 12:12-13
“Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed.” (NIV)

A physical therapy degree has a lot of potential in both ministry and the church. Someone with a physical therapy degree can offer opportunities for holistic health education to church members, whether as part of discipleship or fellowship classes. They can also provide education for injury, fall prevention, and treatment that can benefit families and elders. Ministering to families in the congregation or nearby community through education or even some treatment is another way that they may be able to serve in a church setting.

Those who choose to major in physical therapy can also be a huge benefit to ministry. Whether for short term missions or long-term missions, they can offer some practical medical treatment, physical therapy, and can train others to do the same. This is key to making a sustainable impact that leaves a place better than you found it. Sharing their skills as a physical therapist while sharing the gospel is a great way to exemplify the love of Christ and they participate in work as His hands and feet.

Physical therapy focuses on sustainable, long-term healing and strengthening, making an impact in the lives of thousands of patients every day. If you are a dedicated life-long learner who loves science and is fascinated by the body, are a strong communicator, compassionate, and eager to help others, then perhaps the Lord is leading you to pursue a physical therapy degree!