What bachelors should i get for physical therapy

If you really want to distinguish yourself from your PT school competition, try going a different route other than Exercise Science.

Imagine if you were on the admissions board for your dream PT school. Consider how someone with a degree in Engineering, Marketing, or Teaching stands out from the crowd. Such an applicant will bring unique experiences and perspectives to the table. For instance, during their PT school interview , an applicant with an Education degree might discuss how their training in teaching can help them educate clinic patients and inform learning strategies.

A degree in a different field could provide invaluable, transferable skills which you as a unique applicant can play to your advantage. You can promote yourself in many ways. In my opinion, there are three key benefits to having a non-science degree when applying to become a PT or any health professional, for that matter.

These three benefits not only strengthen your application, they improve your chance at success in any employment, Physical Therapy notwithstanding. The top majors accepted into Physical Therapy school are science degrees, as you can see in the table below. According to this graph, these are the top 10 majors among accepted Physical Therapy school applicants:. Many successful PTs have studied other majors in undergrad, including the following: :.

Ultimately, your undergraduate degree will not get you into PT school. The admissions board will look for someone who demonstrates a strong work ethic, interpersonal flexibility, and a host of transferrable skills.

Considering the breadth of expertise required of a PT, earning a degree outside of Biology will certainly work in your favor! Find jobs. Company reviews. Find salaries. Upload your resume. Sign in. Career Development. What is physical therapy? Benefits of becoming a physical therapist. It is a high demand career. It pays well. You can help people transform their lives. There are many places you can work. You have a well-rounded knowledge of science and health.

What is the best major for physical therapy? Alternative majors for physical therapy. Biology Chemistry Healthcare Physics Physiology. What degree does a physical therapist need? Tips for pursuing physical therapy as a career. Gain relevant experience. Learn your state's licensing requirements.

Everyone needs to obtain an undergraduate degree and complete a graduate degree program in physical therapy to work in this field. It takes three to four years to earn an undergraduate degree and an additional three years to complete a Ph. Physical therapy students do not need to go to medical school. The cost of this education will vary based on the college or university you attend. For example, attending public colleges and universities costs less than those that are private.

Also, in-state tuition for a college or university costs less than the tuition for a school outside your home state. While there are no specific undergraduate degree requirements, many physical therapists get a degree in biology, physiology, psychology, health science, kinesiology, or exercise science.

Most doctoral programs will require a minimum GPA of 3. Outside of the classroom, you should take advantage of every opportunity to build relevant first-hand work experience in physical therapy. This first-hand work experience includes taking a part-time job, an internship, or a volunteer opportunity at a medical clinic, nursing home, retirement community, or rehabilitative healthcare facility.

To further develop as a knowledgeable practitioner of physical therapy, you will need to pursue graduate-level education and obtain a Doctor of Physical Therapy DPT degree. For three to four years of advanced studies, doctoral students will acquire plenty of instruction in patient assessment, physical examination, prosthetics, orthopedics, medical screening, diagnostics, and treatment planning. Some physical therapists will choose to participate in a 1,hour clinical residency program after graduation to gain extra practice under the supervision of licensed physical therapists, too.

Coursework in a DPT program will vary depending on the university you choose to attend. Here is a sample of some of the classes you will take in a DPT program:. Students learn the fundamentals of the profession through both classroom instruction and practical training with a licensed physical therapist. The following are samples of courses offered in a PTA associate degree program.

This course introduces students to how the clinical environment works and the primary duties performed by physical therapy assistants. This class explores the musculoskeletal and nervous systems of the body and how they work.

This course explores types of therapeutic exercises and how they can be applied to different medical conditions. This class familiarizes students with the types of assistive devices on the market and how they are used.

For instance, students learn how to perform the duties of a physical therapist, while also taking science classes--such as biology and physiology--which educate them about the workings of the human body. This class teaches the statistical methodologies that are used in the health care field.

Students in this class learn about the different kinds of athletic injuries that patients may suffer from, what causes them, and how they are treated. This class familiarizes students with the types of drugs used by physical therapists.

Instead, students can enroll directly in physical therapy Ph. These degrees, which can take up to six years to complete, can be earned at a traditional college, as well as online or hybrid learning environments. The following are crucial skills that students gain from completing a physical therapy doctorate:. Finding a list of online physical therapy schools is just the beginning when it comes to choosing the right distance degree program. Students should thoroughly investigate each school to ensure it offers the coursework and training they need to achieve their career goals.

The following are some considerations to keep in mind before enrolling in a program. Students should consider what they want out of their careers and carefully review all aspects of an online physical therapy school to determine whether it will help them achieve those goals.

Because the field is so broad, students should consider what patient population and injuries they would like to work with, and find a program that has highly regarded curriculum and faculty in that area. For example, students who want to work on patients suffering from heart problems should find a program that has a strong cardiovascular curriculum.

Students who want to contribute to the field by conducting research should choose a physical therapy school that gives them the opportunity to participate in such projects. Schools with a strong research emphasis may offer students valuable opportunities to work on studies that are up for publication in professional journals or will be presented to industry peers at conferences hosted by key organizations such as the American Physical Therapy Association.

Students should also think about the specific area of the field they want to research-whether it is geriatrics, pediatrics, neurology, or orthopedics-and find a school that has research opportunities in those specific areas.

No matter what direction students want to take with their education or their careers, they should make sure the school they choose is accredited. This is particularly important for online learners. Accreditation ensures that students receive a quality education and are learning PT best practices, so they can enter the professional world with the proper knowledge and skills. Physical therapists must master a host of different skills to perform their responsibilities effectively.

Strong observational skills help them diagnose patient problems and, evaluate treatments. Because much of the job involves standing up while providing manual therapy and therapeutic exercises, dexterity and physical stamina are important as well. Finally, physical therapists spend a lot of individual time with their patients, and should be able to empathize with them.