Advice: Prerequisite Coursework

[EndersDrift]

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A while back I posted that I'm coming from a completely different field but really want to be a Physical Therapist but need almost all the prerequisites.

I'm wondering if this sounds about right or if there's anything I'm missing.

I've already taken English Comp and Literature as well as College Algebra/Trig, Intro to Logic and Physics without Calc + Lab while I was in school.

All courses will be done at the local community college in the evening while working full time:

Spring 2012:
Gen Chemistry 1

Summer 2012:
Statistics
Pyschology

Fall 2012:
Gen Chem 2

Spring 2013:
Anatomy

Summer 2013:
Physics 2

Fall 2013:
Apply to schools while taking Pysiology


I haven't taken Calculus before so need to take all of these without requiring Calculus. If I understand correctly this should allow me to apply to the following schools:

Hampton University
Nazareth College
Northern Arizona
Richard Stockton
Simmons College
Temple
University of Miami
University of Nebraska
University of Maryland
George Washington University
Chatham University

1. Does this seem accurate as far as courses and where I'll be able to apply?
2. With a PT from the above schools and lets pretend for a moment that I don't get in to the GWU, Temple, UMD, UN or UMiami would I still be able to secure a job?
3. Will the Calculus be a severe disadvantage that I should try to fix?
4. Does my schedule of when to take things sound appropriate?

Any answers to the above questions and any additional advice greatly appreciated.

-Ender

 

[RizDPT]

A while back I posted that I'm coming from a completely different field but really want to be a Physical Therapist but need almost all the prerequisites.

I'm wondering if this sounds about right or if there's anything I'm missing.

I've already taken English Comp and Literature as well as College Algebra/Trig, Intro to Logic and Physics without Calc + Lab while I was in school.

All courses will be done at the local community college in the evening while working full time:

Spring 2012:
Gen Chemistry 1

Summer 2012:
Statistics
Pyschology

Fall 2012:
Gen Chem 2

Spring 2013:
Anatomy

Summer 2013:
Physics 2

Fall 2013:
Apply to schools while taking Pysiology


I haven't taken Calculus before so need to take all of these without requiring Calculus. If I understand correctly this should allow me to apply to the following schools:

Hampton University
Nazareth College
Northern Arizona
Richard Stockton
Simmons College
Temple
University of Miami
University of Nebraska
University of Maryland
George Washington University
Chatham University

1. Does this seem accurate as far as courses and where I'll be able to apply?
2. With a PT from the above schools and lets pretend for a moment that I don't get in to the GWU, Temple, UMD, UN or UMiami would I still be able to secure a job?
3. Will the Calculus be a severe disadvantage that I should try to fix?
4. Does my schedule of when to take things sound appropriate?

Any answers to the above questions and any additional advice greatly appreciated.

-Ender

1. You're probably going to need a couple semesters of Biology as well. Most schools just want Intro level Bio courses but you need to check on that.

2. As long as the program you get into is accredited, you will find a job so don't tweak out about that. PT school is not like Law School where reputation matters. Don't be picky; if you only get into one program, just go. Don't overanalyze it.

3. As long as you apply to schools that do not require Calculus, then no it should not serve as a disadvantage to you.

4. Again, you are going to need need to find a way to squeeze in two semesters of Bio. Some school just require one semester, but more times than not schools requires two semesters. In any case, you need Bio!

Sounds like you have a long road ahead, but it will be worth it in the end. Good luck to you!

 

[EndersDrift]

1. You're probably going to need a couple semesters of Biology as well. Most schools just want Intro level Bio courses but you need to check on that.

2. As long as the program you get into is accredited, you will find a job so don't tweak out about that. PT school is not like Law School where reputation matters. Don't be picky; if you only get into one program, just go. Don't overanalyze it.

3. As long as you apply to schools that do not require Calculus, then no it should not serve as a disadvantage to you.

4. Again, you are going to need need to find a way to squeeze in two semesters of Bio. Some school just require one semester, but more times than not schools requires two semesters. In any case, you need Bio!

Sounds like you have a long road ahead, but it will be worth it in the end. Good luck to you!

Ya hmm I could've sworn I included 1 semester of Bio 1 which is what all of the schools I listed require as opposed to a full year. I'll have to figure out a way to take that. I did leave out second Psychology or Sociology which some require figuring after being admitted I could always get accepted pending the completion of the last prerequisite which most schools allow.

 

[NeophyteParkour]

Personally, I think you're taking anatomy and physiology, perhaps the most important courses, too late. I would recommend having them both complete before applying. In my particular scenario, those 2 courses were prereqs for other prereqs. Exercise physiology, for example, although not required by every school, can only be taken after an intro physiology.

 

[markelmarcel]

2. As long as the program you get into is accredited, you will find a job so don't tweak out about that. PT school is not like Law School where reputation matters. Don't be picky; if you only get into one program, just go. Don't overanalyze it.

You have to pass the boards to be able to practice- so it doesn't matter if you go to the #1 school in the country if you don't pass your boards.

Check the schools' pass rates that you are looking to apply to... If you get further along and want further information, I currently attend Chatham.

Also, like others said- most schools require 2 psychology, 2 chemistry, 2 biology, 2 physics, and 1 anatomy/1 physiology or a combined A&P1 and 2. Then on top of that some schools require statistics and exercise physiology.

 

[EndersDrift]

Personally, I think you're taking anatomy and physiology, perhaps the most important courses, too late. I would recommend having them both complete before applying. In my particular scenario, those 2 courses were prereqs for other prereqs. Exercise physiology, for example, although not required by every school, can only be taken after an intro physiology.

Well I might end up having to wait even longer to do the Anatomy and Physiology entirely and then do Biology while applying. Or what class do you all suggest leaving as the remainder?

I might be able to quit my job and move back in with family for the last few courses to get them done a little quicker.

 

[EndersDrift]

You have to pass the boards to be able to practice- so it doesn't matter if you go to the #1 school in the country if you don't pass your boards.

Check the schools' pass rates that you are looking to apply to... If you get further along and want further information, I currently attend Chatham.

Also, like others said- most schools require 2 psychology, 2 chemistry, 2 biology, 2 physics, and 1 anatomy/1 physiology or a combined A&P1 and 2. Then on top of that some schools require statistics and exercise physiology.

Are you happy with Chatham? If you don't mind me asking what was your GPA and undergrad as a whole like? Do you think you'll pass your boards on the first attempt?

 

[Litlwarrior08]

Just keep an eye on the prereqs. they keep changing. Exercise Physiology and abnormal and developmental psych were not part of the pre in the past. The list seems to get longer each year. Luckily I had taken many college classes as a jr /sr in highschool and once I started the 4 year university I have been able to fit the extra prereqs into my 4 years. Still have 3 to take this spring before matricultion. 3 is borderline for acceptance review for most of my schools.(2nd bio/abn psy/dev psych)
I agree with NEOPHYTE-- you should have the AP out of the way sooner than later.

 

[EndersDrift]

Just keep an eye on the prereqs. they keep changing. Exercise Physiology and abnormal and developmental psych were not part of the pre in the past. The list seems to get longer each year. Luckily I had taken many college classes as a jr /sr in highschool and once I started the 4 year university I have been able to fit the extra prereqs into my 4 years. Still have 3 to take this spring before matricultion. 3 is borderline for acceptance review for most of my schools.(2nd bio/abn psy/dev psych)
I agree with NEOPHYTE-- you should have the AP out of the way sooner than later.

I see well nothing I can do if the prereqs change, it'll just take longer. As far the AP, part of my reasoning in saving it for last would be so its the freshest in my mind and the most up-to-date curriculum when entering dpt. I guess I'll start with it instead.

 

[EndersDrift]

I've been reading more about the PTCAS and see that I'm going to have to apply through them. Is it going to be a problem having my undergrad from one university but my prereqs all as nondegree seeking student elsewhere?

I imagine it's an automated system to a large degree and if it doesn't compute that than I'd be wasting my time..

 

[Litlwarrior08]

Not all the PT programs use PTCAS, most Texas schools do not. Taking your classes at different schools should not be a problem. I have the primary university where I will get my BS but also had undergrad classes at two different com. colleges. You will just need to submit ALL the transcripts. PTCAS calculates several different GPAs. Application process opens in July and then there is the acad. update in Dec. and programs will want a final transcript sent directly to them (those making you an offer) It can get costly. Keep exploring the PTCAS site for info and planning. All things are possible if you want it badly enough. Good Luck.

 

[EndersDrift]

Thanks everyone for the replies. I've been reading everything I could find in the Nontraditional Forum, Pre-PT forum and PT forum.

Given what I've read and the advice I'm going to rethink the sequencing I outlined and think it would be better to do:

Chemistry 1 - Spring 2012
Statistics and Psychology - Summer 2012
Anatomy/Physiology 1 - Fall 2012
Physics 2 - Spring 2013
Biology 1 - Summer 2013
Anatomy/Physiology 2 - Spring 2013
Chemistry 2 - Fall 2013

I'd like to start with Statistics to get back into Math a bit as it will help a lot with the sciences but I'm trying to avoid the science + labs over the summer. I still want to do Chem 1 first because understanding molecules seems to be important on the more difficult sciences. I might move in with family in 2013 to do Physics that summer and then A/P2 and Chem 2 together in the Spring so that I can also have more time to do observations otherwise all my observations will be weekends. I choose Bio 1 for the summer because the only other classes were level 2 and I don't want to do a level two science course in a compressed amount of time if I can help it.

 

[8MoreReps]

I dunno that looks pretty good to me. You only need 6 courses? I am planning my schedule out now and this is what I have come up with so far.. it probably will change. I am working 40-50 hours a week so it may be tough. I am taking A & P I right now.

2012

Spring - A & P II/Stats
Summer - Developmental Psych
Fall - Chem1/Phys1

2013

Spring - Chem2/Phys2
Summer - Kinesiology
Fall - Exercise Physiology

 

[NeophyteParkour]

Ender that looks great. I think you should go with that.

If I were to go back in time and redo everything, I would probably take them in an order similar to:
Anatomy
Physiology
Chemistry
Chemistry II
Biology I
Biochem
Exercise Physiology
Physics I
Physics II
Biology II
and all the PSYC's somewhere inbetween

The reason being I found A&P to relate to the majority of my courses. Chem was also relevant both in the sciences and in my exercise science classes. It was helpful to have a background in those while taking other courses. Physics was incorporated, but to a much lesser extent.

 

[EndersDrift]

I dunno that looks pretty good to me. You only need 6 courses? I am planning my schedule out now and this is what I have come up with so far.. it probably will change. I am working 40-50 hours a week so it may be tough. I am taking A & P I right now.

2012

Spring - A & P II/Stats
Summer - Developmental Psych
Fall - Chem1/Phys1

2013

Spring - Chem2/Phys2
Summer - Kinesiology
Fall - Exercise Physiology

For the schools I listed in the first post the requirements would largely be met. Some of those schools requires Writing Composition but I already have that from my undergrad and some require Physics 1 but I already have that from undergrad as well although the grade is a 'C'. Don't know if I'll retake it or just let it be. A few also require a second Psychology or one Sociology course but I should be able to apply while missing one course without any issues.

I also work 40 hrs a week and I'm the head of a local nonprofit organization and compete on a powerlifting and touch rugby team. Luckily there are many hours in the day when they're not spent drinking or going out to eat all the time which are two things I rarely do.

How is the A/P + Work going for you?

 

[EndersDrift]

I also asked on Math.Stackexchange.com for a good Calculus book recommendation that I could spend the next 2 months learning a bit of Calculus on my own.

This is what someone recommended. I'll probably also use Calculus Made Easy.

http://ocw.mit.edu/resources/res-18-001-calculus-online-textbook-spring-2005/textbook/

 

[8MoreReps]

For the schools I listed in the first post the requirements would largely be met. Some of those schools requires Writing Composition but I already have that from my undergrad and some require Physics 1 but I already have that from undergrad as well although the grade is a 'C'. Don't know if I'll retake it or just let it be. A few also require a second Psychology or one Sociology course but I should be able to apply while missing one course without any issues.

I also work 40 hrs a week and I'm the head of a local nonprofit organization and compete on a powerlifting and touch rugby team. Luckily there are many hours in the day when they're not spent drinking or going out to eat all the time which are two things I rarely do.

How is the A/P + Work going for you?

So far nothing below a 95 on about 3-4 quizzes and 2 tests so it's going really well. I took A & P in undergrad but didn't apply myself so I had low B's to high C's in A & P I and II. I'm doing everything to boost my GPA because my cumulative undergrad GPA is only a 3.0. So hopefully if I get an A in all 10 of the pre reqs it will give me a good shot. If not, I don't know I would be devastated after doing 2 years pre reqs and wasting time and money..

by the way... how come none of the schools around me have any Biology courses required for a pre req? I notice everyone else has to take it on here.

 

[NeophyteParkour]

by the way... how come none of the schools around me have any Biology courses required for a pre req? I notice everyone else has to take it on here.

I have those listed in my prereqs because my particular school's bachelors program for my major covers more than enough science prereqs than are normally asked. As a freshman I didn't really know what I was doing I just followed the program they gave me (not that I regret taking all those, though, because I'm glad I did). Even so, I don't think I'm applying to any PT schools that actually requires biochem, and probably only half of them ask for exercise phys.

 

[EndersDrift]

So far nothing below a 95 on about 3-4 quizzes and 2 tests so it's going really well. I took A & P in undergrad but didn't apply myself so I had low B's to high C's in A & P I and II. I'm doing everything to boost my GPA because my cumulative undergrad GPA is only a 3.0. So hopefully if I get an A in all 10 of the pre reqs it will give me a good shot. If not, I don't know I would be devastated after doing 2 years pre reqs and wasting time and money..

by the way... how come none of the schools around me have any Biology courses required for a pre req? I notice everyone else has to take it on here.

I'm just looking at the PTCAS rubric for pre-reqs. Most seem to require Bio - where do you live that you say doesn't? I'm also willing to go wherever accepts me regardless of being in-state or not so I'm looking at the overall requisites for schools with the least total number.

 

[CherokeeWahine]

I'm just looking at the PTCAS rubric for pre-reqs. Most seem to require Bio - where do you live that you say doesn't? I'm also willing to go wherever accepts me regardless of being in-state or not so I'm looking at the overall requisites for schools with the least total number.

My top choice is Puget Sound, and they don't require bio, just FYI 🙂

 

[Litlwarrior08]

For you non traditional students....please be aware some PT programs have a time limit on how old / how long ago you took your classes........if it is not posted on their web site in an easy to find place...it would help to call.

 

[EndersDrift]

So I've been looking into how to get my ****load of prereqs done and something dawned on me so I started looking into it. I think I may have found a really good way to better myself as an applicant, job prospects and get the prereqs done.

I'm thinking of applying to Texas State University for a Master's of Education in P.E.

Here is the program summary in a pdf: http://gato-docs.its.txstate.edu/department-of-health-pe-and-recreation/Graduate-Program-Physical-Education/MEDMajorInPE-ThesisOption.pdf

In the Admissions it says you can enter and if you're missing some prereqs you can take them as part of the program up to 12. I'm sure some of the prereqs for this would be the same as for DPT. The rest of the prereqs I would have to take in addition to the Master's Coursework. But here's the thing... I'm fairly confident I could get a free ride through this since I've got extensive PhysEd Teaching experience. Texas State also has a DPT program.

I just got my transcripts sent over to the community college and can sign up for courses on November 23rd. I'm going to signup for Chemistry as planned but think I'll start studying for the GREs and use Texas State's rolling admissions to get in as fast I can.

Being my age and background a free ride for 3 years through Texas State for a relevant Master's sounds a lot better than working full time and taking part time prereqs at a community college for 3 years. Or I could even go in towards a M.A.T. PE but then once I finish the prereqs put in an application to their DPT program and I don't think it would necessarily look bad since the two fields are so closely related.

What do you all think about this approach?