College Grad with NO Pre-Reqs...best way to get my DPT?

[krs287]

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I graduated from college in 2008 with a degree in Sports Management. I want to go back to school for physical therapy, but the BS/DPT programs basically make it look like I'd be going back to a 4 year college. Is there a type of accelerated program--like a post-bac for Medicine? I know that post-bacs in medicine are able to take anywhere from 1 to 3 years to complete the science prereqs.
Also: is there any program that would allow me to go straight through, without having to reapply to Physical Therapy grad school afterwards?

I am located in NYC, so most interested in what programs are available around the city and NJ.

Thank you for any advice!

 

[MinnDasota]

That I know of, there is no post-bac type programs for PT. One suggestion is to take classes at one of the CUNY schools or community colleges and work part time (to save up some money).

Either way, you will have to apply to PT programs if you don't go into a BS/PT program.

 

[MuscleHead]

i came out with a BA in history. didnt have any of the sciences. i took all of the classes at a comm college, and had them approved by the schools im interested in. most schools dont have a problem with comm colleges, although i think some do. definitely the easiest and most affordable route.

 

[krs287]

Thanks Musclehead,
When I looked into CUNY and BMCC types, each credit cost around 600 dollars! How can I take the classes in a more affordable way?
And Congrats that you did it!

 

[Kyra4dpt]

Thanks Musclehead,
When I looked into CUNY and BMCC types, each credit cost around 600 dollars! How can I take the classes in a more affordable way?
And Congrats that you did it!

Hey! I had to take most of my prereqs post BFA/MS degree: I'm a career changer and will start a DPT program this summer/fall. I'm in NYC and was in your exact shoes 1.5 years ago!

The cheapest route is CUNY: keep in mind that tuition differs some between schools, I believe. I took most of my course work at The City College (CCNY) up on 137th St, since I work full-time. Note that it is $600/credit if you are out-of-state. Otherwise, if you matriculate (which I didn't but recommend you do!) then you are paying less than $300 a credit for instate. CCNY has a great post-bac, pre-med program!

I bounced around the CUNY system, because I had a very hard time getting into open classes that fit my schedule. Most schools will accept classes taken at BMCC, but call your potential programs first to confirm. Otherwise, I found that classes at Brooklyn College and CCNY to be great and challenging. I've heard good things about Hunter's program as well, but I think they are slightly more expensive. In the end, I'd have cranked out my pre-reqs in 2 years while working full-time and 170 hours of volunteering. If you don't work FT, you might be able to do it in less!

Something to consider as well. Some schools will accept online classes for math and social sciences, some don't. That can save you some time, but maybe not on money. SUNY Empire State and University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill have a lot of online classes and are worth checking out.

 

[MuscleHead]

Hey! I had to take most of my prereqs post BFA/MS degree: I'm a career changer and will start a DPT program this summer/fall. I'm in NYC and was in your exact shoes 1.5 years ago!

The cheapest route is CUNY: keep in mind that tuition differs some between schools, I believe. I took most of my course work at The City College (CCNY) up on 137th St, since I work full-time. Note that it is $600/credit if you are out-of-state. Otherwise, if you matriculate (which I didn't but recommend you do!) then you are paying less than $300 a credit for instate. CCNY has a great post-bac, pre-med program!

I bounced around the CUNY system, because I had a very hard time getting into open classes that fit my schedule. Most schools will accept classes taken at BMCC, but call your potential programs first to confirm. Otherwise, I found that classes at Brooklyn College and CCNY to be great and challenging. I've heard good things about Hunter's program as well, but I think they are slightly more expensive. In the end, I'd have cranked out my pre-reqs in 2 years while working full-time and 170 hours of volunteering. If you don't work FT, you might be able to do it in less!

Something to consider as well. Some schools will accept online classes for math and social sciences, some don't. That can save you some time, but maybe not on money. SUNY Empire State and University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill have a lot of online classes and are worth checking out.

the community college i took my classes at charged like $115/credit. you cant do it any cheaper than that! honestly, i would go this route, but get the courses approved in writing. if there are schools that dont approve the CC route, dont apply to those. theres no point wasting money taking classes you wont get a degree with. save your money for the DPT program, caz that will cost you

 

[oschrndz]

I was in the same situation two years ago. I got my BS in Social Work and went back to school for my prerequisites. I agree with the others, enroll in a community college to save money. It took me two years to get all the prerequisites done - I enrolled in summer sessions as well. Go to the Financial Aid office at the college and ask if there are any fee waiver for tuition, you may qualify for it.

 

[Kyra4dpt]

the community college i took my classes at charged like $115/credit. you cant do it any cheaper than that! honestly, i would go this route, but get the courses approved in writing. if there are schools that dont approve the CC route, dont apply to those. theres no point wasting money taking classes you wont get a degree with. save your money for the DPT program, caz that will cost you

I totally agree about saving money while taking prereqs, which is why I took my classes at CUNY versus Columbia! The cost difference within the CUNY system is marginal, actually. You can go to BMCC and pay $180/credit as a PT, non-matriculated student or $150 as a matriculated student. At CCNY, a 4-year college in the CUNY system, it's $250/credit if you are non-degree or $170/credit if you matriculate (which I recommend for several reasons). You can not get any cheaper than this in NYC, to my knowledge.

So paying $20/credit more is minor, so cost shouldn't factor into if you go to a CC and 4-year in the CUNY system. So I say it's a personal decision, if the cost difference is that minor. For me, even if I don't get into Columbia, it was worth cutting back on the lattes and putting those small bucks towards my prereqs at a 4-year institution. I knew they'd count whereever I applied and I enjoyed being challenged along side future biologists, engineers, DPTs, MDs, DVMs, nurses, PAs, etc.

That said, I don't recommend paying to take your courses at private schools--i.e., NYU or Columbia--that money is best saved towards your DPT!

good luck! 🙂

 

[CAphanatic]

I know this thread is kind of old, but Im hoping someone will see it and help me out.
Ill begin my college education this summer (30 year old first year college student), I know I want to be a PT. Should I take the pre reqs as I go? or wait until my degree is finished and go back to the CC to finish up whatever didn't fit into my degree plan? Which, I assume, would make the information more fresh in my mind as I applied to DPT school.
I plan on majoring in Healthcare Administration with a minor in Business (fall back plan just in case I completely suck at Chem and other Science courses)

How did you do it? Did you regret it? Wish you would have done it different? Thanks in advance!

 

[NewTestament]

Get them now and retake classes later if necessary. Chemistry and Biology don't need to be "fresh" as you start PT school. Your major and minor are good.

 

[CAphanatic]

Ok, good to know. Didn't think about possibly having to retake. Thanks