Your undergraduate path to becoming a physical therapist
Rural Health Opportunities Program (RHOP)
The Physical Therapy track within RHOP is designed for rural Nebraska students interested in returning to rural areas to practice physical therapy. In this program, you’ll complete your bachelor’s degree at Wayne State before entering physical therapy school at the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) in Omaha to complete your Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree and be eligible to take the national certification examination. Participants in RHOP receive a full-tuition scholarship at WSC, guaranteed admission to UNMC, job shadowing and internship experiences, one-on-one advising, and early registration privileges.
Rural Health Opportunities Program
Honors Program
Honors students complete an independent research project, usually spanning their junior and senior years. Your research can take you just about anywhere - in the lab or library, in the community, or in the U.S. or abroad! Honors work can also be very practical. Prospective employers and graduate admissions committees often look carefully at an undergraduate record for evidence of extra initiative and genuine intellectual strength.
Learn more about the Honors Program
Pre-Physical Therapy internships and job shadowing
Our outstanding Career Services Office is available to help you find internships and career opportunities. Pre-Physical Therapy students recently completed internships at the following locations:
- Dakota Dunes Surgical Hospital (Dakota Dunes, S.D.)
- Grand Island Physical Therapy (Grand Island, Neb.)
- Husker Rehab (Nebraska City, Neb.)
- Jacobson Therapy Services (Norfolk, Neb.)
- Norfolk Physical Therapy (Norfolk, Neb.)
- Northeast Nebraska Physical Therapy (Norfolk, Neb.)
- Peloton Physical Therapy (Yankton, S.D.)
- Providence Medical Center (Wayne, Neb.)
- Saunders Medical Center (Waverly, Neb.)
- Tri-Valley Health System Rehabilitation (Cambridge, Neb.)
Topics covered in the Pre-Physical Therapy program
- Human anatomy and organ systems
- Anatomy and mechanics of human movement
- Physiological processes, systems, and their response to exercise
- Prevention, recognition, assessment, and treatment of common sports injuries and illnesses
- Design and supervision of strength and conditioning programs
- Design and supervision of health and rehabilitative exercise programs
- Injuries and exam processes for upper and lower extremities
- Musculoskeletal injury rehab
Graduates of the Pre-Physical Therapy program work in their field or continue their studies using the skills they learned while at Wayne State College. Each year, PT schools and welcome WSC graduates into their organizations.
Recent grads are pursuing their DPT degrees at the following schools:
- Briar Cliff University (Sioux City, Iowa)
- Creighton University (Omaha, Neb.)
- Rockhurst University (Kansas City, Mo.)
- University of Nebraska Medical Center (Kearney, Neb.)
- University of Nebraska Medical Center (Omaha, Neb)
- University of South Dakota (Vermillion, S.D.)
- Wichita State University (Wichita, Kan.)
Career possibilities
- Physical therapist
- PT program director
- Rehabilitation specialist
- Physical therapy educator
job or grad school placement rate
within six months of graduation
Data based on most recent
employment outcomes survey
Transfer to Wayne State
Our generous transfer credit policy will allow you to get credit for what you've already earned.
- If you've taken courses at other institutions, you can transfer those credits to Wayne State.
- Already have an associate degree? Seamlessly transfer your full degree through one of our transfer pathways.
- Military or veteran student? You may be able to get credit for your military experience and training.
I chose Wayne State College because the atmosphere on campus is very welcoming. The professors are always accessible if you need help in class or if you want to talk about your day. You are more than just a number here. I would like to become a physical therapist with my degree. The classes for Pre-Physical Therapy offer hands-on learning experiences that make everything more interesting and help you understand what you are learning better. The professors are enthusiastic about what they are teaching you, and it really helps make you interested and wanting to learn more about the material.
Ashton Boyer
Wayne, Neb.
Major: Applied Human and Sport Physiology
I chose Wayne State College because the atmosphere on campus is very welcoming. The professors are always accessible if you need help in class or if you want to talk about your day. You are more than just a number here. I would like to become a physical therapist with my degree. The classes for Pre-Physical Therapy offer hands-on learning experiences that make everything more interesting and help you understand what you are learning better. The professors are enthusiastic about what they are teaching you, and it really helps make you interested and wanting to learn more about the material.
Ashton Boyer
Wayne, Neb.
Major: Applied Human and Sport Physiology
Department faculty
Barbara Engebretsen, Ph.D.
Professor
Dr. Barbara Engebretsen is an exercise science and public and global health professor at Wayne State College. She is active member of professional and service organizations, including the American Physiological Society, American College of Sports Medicine, the American Public Health Association, and Rotary International. She helped developed the Public and Global Health minor and One Health Studies major.
Dr. Kris Fox is an exercise science professor at Wayne State College and teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in applied human and sport physiology, exercise science, and human performance.
Dr. Cameron Geisert is a sports management professor at Wayne State College. His teaching interests are sociology of sport, sport law, sport event and facility management, ethics in sports, and sport marketing.
Dr. Kevin Hill is a physical education professor at Wayne State College. His academic interests include rural health and sport skill instruction, as well as physical and health education.
Dr. Chad Maas is a sports management professor at Wayne State College. He is a certified instructor for Red Cross First Aid and CPR.
Paul McCawley, MSE
Assistant Professor
Paul McCawley is an exercise science professor at Wayne State College. His teaching interests include strength and conditioning, as well as overall health and wellness.
Blaine Meyer teaches sports management at Wayne State College, including courses such as Introduction to Sport Management, Sport Marketing and Promotion, Physical Health and Wellbeing, Care and Prevention of Athletic Injuries, Public Relations in Sport, Sport Business, Leadership in Sport Organizations, and Ethics in Sport.
Dr. Bobby Smith is an exercise science professor at Wayne State College. He teaches undergraduate courses in exercise physiology, fitness assessment and evaluation, athletic performance and nutrition, as well as physical health and wellbeing.
Clubs for Pre-Physical Therapy students
Biology Club - For students interested in biological sciences
Exercise is Medicine - Works toward improving the health and well-being of the campus community
Health Science Club - For students pursuing careers in health-related fields
Pre-Physical Therapy / Pre-Occupational Therapy Club - For students pursuing physical or occupational therapy careers
A Top 50 Best Sports Science Program
Wayne State was recognized as having a Top 50 Best Bachelor’s Degree in the field of sports science, based on the factors of cost, accreditation, and successful graduate outcomes.
A Best College of Distinction
Wayne State was recognized as a Best College of Distinction for our excellence in student engagement, teaching, community, and successful graduate outcomes.
Best Colleges for Health Sciences in Nebraska
CampusReel recognized Wayne State as one of the Best Colleges in Nebraska for Health Sciences based on alumni salaries after graduation, student loan debt, and other metrics.
A Top Public College in the Midwest
WSC was identified as one of the top public universities in the Midwest for 2025 by U.S. News & World’s Best Colleges ranking report.
