Physical Therapy Summer Academy

Are you thinking about a career in physical therapy?

Learn about the exciting field of physical therapy and the Exercise Science major that provides an ideal track to the Rutgers' Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) Graduate Program through this credit-bearing intensive academy.

Students in the Physical Therapy Summer Academy will receive advice on how to prepare for this growing field from academic advisors and professionals in the field. Students will tour the Functional Human Anatomy Labs and visit the Rutgers DPT Graduate Program Campus.

• Earn 1.5 college credits upon completion in the academy
• Gain perspective and exposure to the field of physical therapy
• Learn about the wide range of career opportunities available
• Receive an overview of undergraduate coursework
• Engage with professionals and current DPT students

Academy Overview

Who
Students completing their sophomore and junior year, ages 16 to 18 by Summer 2025

What
A residential or commuter in-person program to learn about physical therapy through academic lessons & hands-on experiences

When
Residential: July 13 - July 19, 2025
Commuter: August 4 - August 8, 2025

Where
Rutgers–New Brunswick in New Jersey

_{^{Additional Benefits}}

Students will earn 1.5 college credits upon completion of this Physical Therapy Academy through the course, 01:377:144 Foundations of Kinesiology and Health.

Daily Sample Schedule

Below is the sample schedule for a student in the Physical Therapy Academy.

^{_{*Evening student life activities will consist of a variety of different events, such as a movie night at the Rutgers Cinema, arts and crafts events, sports, and more. Commuter students will be given options to engage in some evening activities pre-planned ahead of time with their cohort. All activities are supervised by a residential or program assistant.}}

• Sunday (Residential)

  Students will move into their on-campus residential dorm.

• Monday

  8:00am	Breakfast (Residential) Drop-off (Commuter)
  9:00am	Welcome Orientation • Introductions, Ice Breaker, Activity
  11:00am	Lecture:  Introduction to Physical Therapy
  12:00pm	Lunch
  1:00pm	Guest Speaker Lecture: Kinesiology & Health Department
  2:00pm	Lecture:  Preparing for Physical Therapy
  3:00pm	Lecture:  Foundations of Kinesiology & Health
  4:30pm	Group Project preparation
  5:00pm	Dinner (Residential) Pick-up (Commuter)
  6:00pm	Cultural/recreational activity (Residential)

• Tuesday

  8:00am	Breakfast (Residential) Drop-off (Commuter)
  9:00am	Busch Campus: Exercise Class Gym Tour - Werblin Fitness Center
  11:00am	Bus back to College Avenue Campus
  12:00pm	Lunch
  1:00pm	Lecture: DPT 4+3 Program
  2:00pm	Guest Speaker Lecture:  Current Rutgers Exercise Science Student
  3:00pm	Lecture:  Foundations of Kinesiology & Health
  4:30pm	Group Project preparation
  5:00pm	Dinner (Residential) Pick-up (Commuter)
  6:00pm	Cultural/recreational activity (Residential)

• Wednesday

  8:00am	Breakfast (Residential) Drop-off (Commuter)
  9:00am	Guest Speaker Lecture: Outpatient Physical Therapist
  10:00am	Group Activity: Physical Therapy Theraband Challenge
  11:00am	Guest Speaker Lecture: Travel Physical Therapist
  12:00pm	Lunch
  1:00pm	Physical Therapy Case Study & Discussion
  2:00pm	Group Activity:  PT Goniometer Lab
  3:00pm	Lecture:  Foundations of Kinesiology & Health
  4:30pm	Group Project preparation
  5:00pm	Dinner (Residential) Pick-up (Commuter)
  6:00pm	Cultural/recreational activity (Residential)

• Thursday

  7:30am	Breakfast (Residential) Drop-off (Commuter)
  8:00am	Field Trip to Rutgers–Newark Rutgers Doctorate of Physical Therapy Newark Graduate Program Rutgers School of Health Professions
  12:00pm	Lunch upon return
  1:00pm	Group Activity: PT Exercises
  2:00pm	Guest Speaker Lecture:  Acute Care Physical Therapist
  3:00pm	Lecture:  Foundations of Kinesiology & Health
  4:30pm	Group Project preparation
  5:00pm	Dinner (Residential) Pick-up (Commuter)
  6:00pm	Cultural/recreational activity (Residential)

• Friday

  8:00am	Breakfast (Residential) Drop-off (Commuter)
  9:00am	Human Cadaver Lab Anatomy Lab
  11:30am	Return to College Avenue campus
  12:00pm	Lunch
  1:00pm	Video and Discussion: Physical Therapy Initial Evaluation
  2:00pm	Guest Speaker Lecture:  Pediatric PT
  3:00pm	Group Project Presentations Foundations Course Review and Wrap Up
  5:00pm	Break to get ready for dinner and ceremony
  6:00pm	Dinner & Certificate Ceremony

• Saturday (Residential)

  Students will move out of their on-campus residential dorm.

Learn More

Sign up for our email list to learn more about our Pre-College Summer Academies.

Request More Information