Pre Physical Therapy Banner
Career & Academic Pathways >> Allied Health
Contact Information
Heather Faust (Division Chair)
(831) 646-4130
hfaust@mpc.edu
For Additional Info
• Download our Info Sheet
• Visit MPC Anatomy-Physiology
 • Connect with a Counselor 

Program Overview

Physical therapists help people overcome injury, improve mobility, increase strength, and manage physical issues to maintain long-term health. The Pre-Physical Therapy program provides a solid foundation for further study, with a required core of courses covering human anatomy, chemistry, physics, and psychology. Graduates are prepared to transfer to a four-year university for completion of undergraduate work en route to a DPT degree.

Job Outlook

Rising life expectancy, an aging population, and the popularity of recreational sports for adults and youth add up to a growing need for physical therapists to help heal injuries and maintain quality of life. Physical therapy jobs are forecast to grow 29% through 2026. While years of study are required to obtain bachelors’ and medical degrees and accreditation, MPC graduates can immediately gain practical experience as physical therapy assistants, who are also in high demand.

Potential Careers

Physical Therapist Aides

  $23,680 - $41,150  

*Recreational Therapists
(may require additional training)

  $40,350 - $97,580  

Physical Therapy Assistants

$47,890 - $91,940

  

*Physical Therapists
(may require additional training)

$66,880 - $133,620

  

*Sports Medicine Physicians
(may require additional training)

$80,010 - $208,000

  

MPC Degrees and Certificates

  • Pre-Physical Therapy: Associate in Science (AS) 

Suggested Course Sequence (AS)

Year 1

FALL
 UNITS
 SPRING UNITS
ENGL 1A
 3 ENGL 2 3

LIBR 50

 1 CHEM 1B 5

MATH 16

 4 PSYC 1
 3

CHEM 1A

 5 Area D
 3
 Area C2
 3

   US-2 & 3 rec.

   US-1 rec.

  


 

Total Fall Units
 16
 Total Spring Units
 14

Year 2

FALL
 UNITS
 SPRING UNITS
Area A1
 3

PHSO 1

 3

ANAT 1

 2

PHSO 2

 2

ANAT 2

 2

PHYS 2B

 4

PHYS 2A

 4 Area C1 or C2  3
Area C1 3 

Area D

 3
Area D 3

   SOCI 1 rec.

  

   PSYC 25 rec.

      
       
Total Fall Units
 17 Total Spring Units
 15

This is a suggested sequence of coursework and is one pathway for students to earn their degree/certificate. This is not an official educational plan. A counselor is able to assist you with creating a personalized education plan based on your academic, career, and personal goals. For more information about counseling and up-to-date program requirements, please visit www.mpc.edu/counseling. 

Testimonials 

Danieleen Lazo

Enrolling in the Anatomy program here at MPC has been an invaluable experience for me. After finishing my bachelor’s degree, I experienced some gap years before settling on a master’s program. During these gap years I felt as if I was losing some of my knowledge and knew that once I jumped into a master’s program, I would need to make up for lost time. Fortunately, the Anatomy program was an incredibly useful refresher. I encountered subjects I was familiar with and was excited that there were still topics I had not learned. In many ways, this program connected and strengthened the concepts that made me fall in love with science all those years ago. In these pandemic times, I wondered what I would lose to distance learning, but I am pleasantly surprised to say that I have learned more if not the same amount of information. I feel confident in applying these concepts and working with patients towards advancements in medicine.