Pre-Physical Therapy/Occupational Therapy
Admissions and Records
- Email: admissions@svcc.edu
- Phone: (815) 835-6273
- Fax: (815) 456-4240
- Visit Admissions to view Hours
Associate in Science Degree with a Concentration in
Pre-Physical Therapy / Occupational Therapy (830)
The concentration in Pre-Physical Therapy/Occupational Therapy prepares students to transfer to four-year universities to pursue a bachelor’s degree in health science, biology, kinesiology, and/or science-related fields.
Physical Therapists improve mobility, relieve pain, and prevent or limit permanent disabilities of individuals due to injury or disease. Physical Therapists work with accident victims as well as individuals who suffer from multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, nerve injuries, burns, amputations, head injuries, fractures, lower back pain, arthritis, and heart disease.
Occupational Therapists assist individuals who have mentally, physically, or emotionally disabling conditions to develop, recover, or maintain daily living and work skills. The goal of occupational therapy is to help individuals have independent, productive, and satisfying lives.
The associate in science (A.S.) degree is designed to complete the lower-division (freshman and sophomore) portion of a bachelor of science degree in STEM-related majors. As a result, the A.S. degree does not include the entire General Education Core Curriculum. Therefore, students will need to complete MORE general education courses after transfer by completing the GECC curriculum while enrolled at the participating Illinois transfer institution OR fulfilling the general education requirements of their selected non-participating transfer institution.
Follow this link for career information.
Transfer Considerations
Students who have already chosen the university to which they plan to transfer should consult that institution's catalog or department advisor and an SVCC academic advisor in planning their program.
- Foundational prerequisites at all or most programs include human anatomy and physiology (BIO 109 & 110), psychology (PSY 103, 200), statistics (MAT 240), and additional science coursework (BIO 105, CHE 105). In addition, pre-physical therapy includes a sequence in biology, chemistry, and physics. Sociology (SOC 111) is recommended for pre-occupational therapy.
Competitive Admissions
Since admission is limited and competitive, completing the recommended courses does not by itself guarantee admission.
Undergraduate admission requirements will vary depending on selected major.
For Doctor of Physical Therapy (D.P.T) OR a professional program (Masters or Doctorate) in occupational therapy, typical admission requirements include:
- A bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution
- Minimum grade point average of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale)
- Prerequisite courses completed successfully
- Graduate school entrance exam score (GRE)
- Observation hours (20-30) within the last five years
- Program/graduate school application that can require letters of recommendation, professional resume, personal statement, interview
Special Considerations
- To practice as a physical therapist in the U.S., students typically earn a doctor of physical therapy (D.P.T) degree from an accredited physical therapist education program and pass a state licensure exam. For more information, go to apta.org
- Some D.P.T programs offer a 3+3 format (3 years of specific undergraduate prerequisite coursework taken prior to advancement into a three-year professional D.P.T program)
- To practice as an occupational therapist in the U.S., students must successfully complete a master’s degree in occupational therapy or a professional doctorate in occupational therapy (O.T.D.) and pass the National Board of Certification in Occupational Therapy exam. State licensing may also be required. For more information, go to aota.org
- Clinical experiences are an integral part of the curriculum. A criminal background check, drug screen, first aid and CPR are typical clinical requirements.
Program Contacts at Sauk Valley Community College
- Academic Advising 815-835-6354
Minimum Total Credit Hours - 66 Hours
Suggested Course Sequence
First Semester - 18 Hours
| Course # | Course Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| * BIO105 | Principles of Biology | 5 Hours |
| A survey of the basic principles of biology including nature of science cells structure and function of organisms genetics evolution and ecology. This course is designed to satisfy the biology requirement for general education and vocation-occupational curriculum majors. It provides a basis for understanding principles common to all major fields of biology for the science or professional major. This course along with BIO 123 Introduction to Botany and BIO 131 General Zoology is part of the three-semester sequence that satisfies the IAI 910 Biology requirement. Students who have completed BIO 105 with a grade of C or better will not receive credit for BIO 103 or BIO 104. Prerequisite None5 Semester hoursIllinois Articulation Initiative IAI L1 910L BIO 910 LectureLab Hours 4 lec 2 labweek | ||
| * CHE105 | General Chemistry I | 5 Hours |
| This course involves the study of matter measurements the periodic table of the elements atomic structure basic concepts of quantum theory bonding stoichiometry of compounds and reactions solution chemistry introduction to acids and bases thermochemistry the gaseous state and basic concepts of the liquid and solid states. This class is for chemistry engineering premedical and science majors.Prerequisite One year of high school chemistry or CHE 103 or CHE 102. 5 Semester hoursIllinois Articulation Initiative IAI P1 902L CHM 911LectureLab Hours 3 lec 3 labweek | ||
| ENG101 | Composition I | 3 Hours |
| This course 1 develops awareness of the writing process 2 provides inventional organizational and editorial strategies 3 stresses the variety of uses for writing and 4 emphasizes critical skills in reading thinking and writing.Prerequisite Required placement score on approved English placement test high school unweighted GPA of 3.0 or higher or a grade of C or higher in ELA 099.3 Semester hoursIllinois Articulation Initiative IAI C1 900LectureLab Hours 3 lecweek | ||
| FYE101 | First Year Experience | 1 Hour |
| The focus of this course is how to be successful in college. Study skills goal setting academic planning time and money management and information research skills are among the core topics included in this course. Within a supportive environment students will share their college experiences and develop connections with fellow students and SVCC staff. Prerequisite None1 Semester hoursLectureLab Hours 1 lecweek | ||
| * MAT221 | Calc for Bus & Soc Science | 4 Hours |
| A brief course in elementary differential and integral calculus. Primarily for students of business economics and social science with emphasis on applications. Prerequisite MAT 121 with a grade of C or higher or appropriate placement score or four years of college preparatory high school mathematics with grades of C or higher OR Math 3 with a grade of C or higher. 4 Semester hoursIllinois Articulation Initiative IAI M1 900-BLectureLab Hours 4 lecweek | ||
| - OR - | ||
| MAT203 | Calculus & Analytic Geometry I | 4 Hours |
| The elementary concepts of differential and integral calculus are introduced and applications are discussed. These include limits continuity the derivative rules of differentiation the indefinite and definite integral. Trigonometric functions are dealt with. Some applications are related rates graphing extreme value problems and Newtons method for finding roots of equations.Prerequisite A grade of C or better in MAT 121 College Algebra AND MAT 122 Trigonometry OR appropriate placement see current placement score prerequisite chart 4 Semester hoursIllinois Articulation Initiative IAI M1 900-1 MTH 901LectureLab Hours 4 lecweek | ||
Second Semester - 17 Hours
| Course # | Course Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Humanities | 3 Hours | |
| Personal Developmnet | 3 Hours | |
| * CHE106 | General Chemistry II | 5 Hours |
| This course is a continuation of CHE 105. This course involves the study of solutions acids and bases equilibria acid-base equilibria solubility equilibria kinetics thermodynamics electrochemistry coordination compounds and nuclear chemistry. This class is for chemistry engineering premedical and science majors.Prerequisite CHE 1055 Semester hoursIllinois Articulation Initiative IAI CHM 912LectureLab Hours 3 lec 3 labweek | ||
| COM131 | Intro to Oral Communication | 3 Hours |
| The oral communication course combines communication theory with the practice of oral communication skills. The course 1 develops awareness of the communication process 2 provides inventional organizational and expressive strategies 3 promotes understanding of and adaptation to a variety of communication contexts and 4 emphasizes critical skills in listening reading thinking and speaking.Prerequisite None3 Semester hoursIllinois Articulation Initiative IAI C2 900LectureLab Hours 3 lecweek | ||
| ENG103 | Composition II | 3 Hours |
| An advanced course in essay writing with emphasis on formal research ENG 103 serves to develop a proficiency in the collection and selection of data as applied to the completion of a formal research paper. In addition students receive instruction in logic and reasoning including the fundamentals of argumentative and persuasive writing. Prerequisite A grade of C or higher in ENG 101 or its equivalent or consent of instructor. 3 Semester hoursIllinois Articulation Initiative IAI C1 901RLectureLab Hours 3 lecweek | ||
Third Semester - 15 Hours
| Course # | Course Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Fine Arts | 3 Hours | |
| BIO109 | Human Anatomy & Physiology I | 4 Hours |
| A study of introductory chemistry cells metabolic processes the organization of tissues the skeletal system joints and articulation the integumentary system micro and macro organization of the nervous system and somatic and special senses. Prerequisites BIO 105 or BIO 108 with a grade of C or higher OR two years of high school biology with a C or higher within the last five years AND CHE 102 or CHE 103 or CHE 105 with a grade of C or higher OR one year of high school chemistry with a grade of C or higher within the last five years. 4 Semester hoursLectureLab Hours 3 lec 2 labweek | ||
| * BIO131 | General Zoology | 5 Hours |
| An introduction to the principles of classification of animals followed by a systematic study of invertebrate and vertebrate animals including their morphology physiology and natural history. Concepts of evolution paleontology and ecology are discussed. This course along with BIO 105 Principles of Biology and BIO 123 Introduction to Botany is part of the three semester sequence that satisfies the IAI Bio 910 Biology major requirement. Prerequisite BIO 105 with a grade of C or higher. 5 Semester hoursIllinois Articulation Initiative IAI L1 910L BIO 910LectureLab Hours 4 lec 2 labweek | ||
| PSY103 | Introduction to Psychology | 3 Hours |
| This course is designed to introduce the student to major concepts theories principles and research in the field of psychology. This course will survey the scientific study of human and animal characteristics and behavior. Major topics from biological behavioral cognitive personality developmental abnormal and social psychology theory and research will be emphasized. Universal characteristics and individual differences will be explored Prerequisite None3 Semester hoursIllinois Articulation Initiative IAI S6 900LectureLab Hours 3 lecweek | ||
Fourth Semester - 16 Hours
| Course # | Course Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| **** | Social / Behavioral Science | 3 Hours |
| Humanities / Fine Arts | 3 Hours | |
| - OR - | ||
| Major Field Requirement | 3 Hours | |
| BIO110 | Human Anatomy & Physiology II | 4 Hours |
| A continuation of BIO 109. BIO 110 is the study of the anatomy and physiology of the endocrine muscular cardiovascular respiratory digestive urinary immune lymphatic and reproductive systems. Additionally electrolyte pH and water balance and human development will be discussed. Prerequisite BIO 109 with a grade of C4 Semester hoursLectureLab Hours 3 lec 2 labweek | ||
| * MAT240 | Elementary Statistics | 3 Hours |
| An introduction to basic concepts in statistical methods including measures of central tendency measures of dispersion probability theoretical and empirical distribution estimation tests of hypotheses linear regression and correlation.Prerequisite a grade of C or better in MAT 081 or MAT 078 or higher OR concurrent enrollment in MAT 040 OR appropriate placement score see current placement score prerequisite chart3 Semester hoursIllinois Articulation Initiative IAI M1 902LectureLab Hours 3 lecweek | ||
| PSY200 | Human Growth & Development | 3 Hours |
| A study of physical cognitive and psychosocial development of the human across the lifespan. Normative and non-normative patterns of development will be examined. Several major theories of human development will be be explored. Practical application of research findings will be emphasized. Prerequisite PSY 103 or equivalent. 3 Semester hoursIllinois Articulation Initiative IAI S6 902LectureLab Hours 3 lecweek | ||
Footnotes
* MAT221 - Math requirements may vary depending upon the program and transfer institution.
* CHE105 / 106 - One year of general chemistry and one year of general physics (PHY 201 and 202) are usually required for physical therapy majors but not for occupational therapy majors.
* BIO105 / 131 - Some institutions require BIO 123 Intro to Botany in addition to BIO 105 and 131.
**** SOC 111 recommended for occupational therapy.