Biology & Pre-Physical Therapy | Psychology & Criminal Justice, Pre-OT
As a biology major with dreams of becoming a physical therapist, Megan Andresen ’98 volunteered to work with people with disabilities in the local community.
Science of how the body works
Help restore invaluable mobility to patients.
Beyond core courses, students are encouraged to study classes unique to their professional interest, including immunology, psychology, exercise physiology, and biomechanics or sociology.
What's the science behind runner's high? Why do people experience different levels of pain from the same injury? Answering questions like these builds the foundation of an education at Mount Mercy.
Professors know what your goal after Mount Mercy is and will give you the advice you need to get you to your goal. Students here are lucky to be able to have such solid resources.
Internships and experience
A solid foundation matters.
Pre-professional programs are undergraduate tracks that prepare you for a professional degree after your bachelor's. These aren't academic majors, they're a set of specialized courses that are typically required before you can be accepted into your next program. Your advisor will help you decide the best major to pair with your pre-professional program and prepare you for your career goals.
Students interested in pre-physical therapy typically choose to major in exercise science or biology and minor in psychology, discovering how factors such as training, diet, genetics, age, and health history influence the body.
Our faculty take pride in supporting students in their academic growth, helping prepare application materials and coaching students in studying for professional placement exams.
Students in the pre-PT track gain experience through community collaboration and club activities, often shadowing physical therapists, interning or working as a tech at Cedar Rapids’ award-winning hospitals and clinics.
Tara Trcka '17
Physical Therapist | UnityPoint Health
Driven by her love for bowling and her passion for caring for others, Tara Trcka ’17 made the decision to begin her educational journey on the Hill.
Josh Long '19
Biology
After experiencing MMU’s biannual Scholarship Day, Josh Long cemented his decision to attend Mount Mercy.
Careers in pre-physical therapy
Bring your career path into focus.
100% of MMU students who applied were accepted to their physical therapy school of choice, due to the university’s one-on-one advising, solid academic curriculum and proximity to two award-winning hospitals.
Prestigious schools include:
- University of Iowa
- Des Moines University
- Mayo School of Health Sciences
- Northwestern University
- University of Minnesota
What are the next steps?
Mount Mercy offers competitive tuition and generous scholarships.
We also encourage all students to apply for federal, state, and other kinds of financial assistance.
Learn more about:
- Federal and state grants and loans
- MMU-offered scholarships
- Tuition reimbursement from employers
- 10% tuition discount for employees of partner organizations
- Veterans benefits
We make it easy by accepting applications year-round! No deadline, no fee, no pressure.
- Create your application
- Apply under standard admissions criteria or go "test optional"
- Request official transcripts from all institutions previously attended. Mail to:
Mount Mercy University Admissions
1330 Elmhurst Drive NE
Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52402
For more detailed instructions on how to apply, see our Admissions page.