Bachelors

The Kinesiology program is designed to prepare students to assume positions as fitness or health promotion directors and exercise consultants in private or public agencies, health centers, cardiac rehabilitation programs, as well as corporate fitness programs.
This program is also well-suited as a pre-professional program for students interested in further pursuing a career in:

Physical therapy
Occupational therapy

This degree is appropriate for students in pre-professional programs in physical therapy, occupational therapy, and medicine.

The Department of Special Education and Communication Disorders at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln offers you the best preparation for an exciting future in the audiology profession! Students are fully engaged in classes and clinic from the first day in the program. Students also have opportunities to conduct research, and complete practicum activities at the Barkley Memorial Center and sites throughout Nebraska and the United States. (Audiology is rated one of the best jobs of 2015 by CareerCast.com, Forbes and Time magazines.)

Occupational therapy is a health care profession using purposeful activity (occupation) as a means of preventing, reducing, or overcoming physical, social, and emotional challenges in people of all ages. The occupational therapist utilizes practical activities to encourage the recovering patient's involvement in meaningful daily living. An occupational therapist works with individuals whose participation in life has been impaired by physical injury or illness, developmental or learning disabilities, psychological or emotional problems or the aging process.

Occupational therapists (OTs) help patients develop, recover, and improve the skills needed for everyday living and working (occupations) due to injuries, illnesses, disabilities, psychological problems, or aging. They evaluate physical and mental conditions and create treatment plans using therapeutic exercises, adaptive equipment, and cognitive strategies. Working with all ages, OTs work in hospitals, rehabilitation centers, schools, nursing homes, and other settings. Learn more about this career.

Physical therapists (PTs) aid patients in recovering from injuries, illnesses, or disabilities affecting movement and function. They assess conditions, create treatment plans, and use exercises, stretches, manual therapy, and equipment to improve mobility, reduce pain, and restore function. Working with all ages, PTs operate in hospitals, clinics, rehabilitation centers, and even homes, offering tailored care to improve quality of life. Learn more about this career.

The Pre-Occupational Therapy program at Peru State College offers a comprehensive curriculum designed to meet the requirements of professional schools in occupational therapy. The program includes extensive coursework in natural sciences, English composition, psychology, statistics, and humanities. Students are encouraged to consult the catalog of the professional school they plan to attend, as requirements may vary.

The Pre-Physical Therapy program at Peru State College equips students with the necessary coursework for admission into physical therapy schools. This 49-credit hour program includes foundational courses in biology, chemistry, physics, and psychology. Students take courses such as Introductory Zoology, Human Anatomy, and Physiology in biology, General Chemistry I and II, General Physics I and II, and Introduction to Psychology. Additional coursework in mathematics and sociology rounds out the curriculum, ensuring students meet the prerequisites for their chosen physical therapy school.

Admission to a doctor of physical therapy school (3-year program) requires pre-requisites including: one year each of anatomy and physiology, biology, chemistry, and physics. Additionally, coursework in psychology, English, and statistics is often required.

Most schools require a minimum GPA of 3.0, however, their accepted GPA is often closer to 3.5. Students typically take the GRE during the summer between their junior and senior year at NWU.

Our graduates have a 90 percent acceptance rate (5-year average) into PT programs nationwide.

Admission to a master’s or doctor of occupational therapy school (2- or 3-year program) requires pre-requisites including: one year of anatomy and physiology as well as coursework in psychology, ethics, medical terminology and statistics. Students typically take the GRE during the summer between their junior and senior year at NWU. Our graduates have a 95 percent acceptance rate (5-year average) into OT programs nationwide.

Hastings College is the best place for you to get started in a health professions career — whether you’re interested in becoming a medical doctor, pharmacist, dentist, physician assistant, nurse, physical therapist or any number of health-related professions.