A concentration in Pre-Physical Therapy provides preparation for entry into Doctor of Physical Therapy degree programs throughout the United States. Graduates of the Pre-Physical Therapy Program at PLU are admitted into Physical Therapy programs at rates that exceed the national average. The degree is heavily centered on the natural sciences and includes an internship placement in one or more physical therapy clinics in the region. Students participate in a semester long internship or student teaching experience in public schools, government agencies (such as Pierce County Parks & Recreation and Pierce County Health Department) or private corporations and agencies (such as the YMCA, hospitals, fitness centers, professional athletic teams etc.). Opportunities for faculty-student research and collaboration are also available. In addition, four distinct minors can be used to compliment majors within the department, or can be pursued by majors outside the department in areas of personal or professional interest. These minors are Coaching, Personal Training, Exercise and Sport Psychology and Pre-Athletic Training. The department also offers a Kinesiology (General Studies) minor for non-majors with an interest in the field.