Exercise Science or PTA?

[mlcl4]

Hey guys, This is my first post and I'd like to hear some of your opinions on these two professions.

I'm finishing up my general ed. at a Comm. college in fla. and I'm approaching a crossroads here were I need to make a decision on what I'm gonna do. Originally I planned to attend USF and enter their Exercise science program. Seeing that I'm a personal trainer and into bodybuilding I thought that may be a good fit for me. Lately though I've been "what are you gonna do with that degree" type of questions and it really has me thinking. Realistically the only job that is related to that major were you could make a good amount of money is personal training which I'm already doing and I dont want to do forever. I was thinking about cardiac rehab but i hear they dont make anything. And then of course theres always pipedreams of working with a pro sports team but those jobs are far and few between.

Recently I've been getting turned onto the idea Of physical therapy assistant. Theres a program at St. Pete college. It's only an A.S. degree but I can go back and finish my undergrad later and then maybe onto grad school for PT. Antoher thing is that with Exercise science I cant start that program until next fall in 2006, with PTA I could start this summer because all my pre-reqs are already completed.

I'd rather discuss this with you guys because I dont want my family to think I'm wishywashy. I dont want to bring it up until I'm sure of what I'm gonna do.

What do you guys think?

Thanks, study hard.

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[chicoborja]

I think you've already found the path in your answer.....go PTA then bachelor's in exercise science then Phys Therapy ...


You could also look into an Athletic Trainer program....I believe there might be bachelors and masters programs in this...it allows for a a certification....I believe it it ATC or somethin like that (Athletic Trainer Certified)

 

[lawguil]

Hey guys, this is my first post and I'd like to hear some of your opinions on these two professions.

I'm finishing up my general ed. at a Comm. college in fla. and I'm approaching a crossroads here were I need to make a decision on what I'm gonna do. Originally I planned to attend USF and enter their Exercise science program. Seeing that I'm a personal trainer and into bodybuilding I thought that may be a good fit for me. Lately though I've been "what are you gonna do with that degree" type of questions and it really has me thinking. Realistically the only job that is related to that major were you could make a good amount of money is personal training which I'm already doing and I dont want to do forever. I was thinking about cardiac rehab but i hear they dont make anything. And then of course theres always pipedreams of working with a pro sports team but those jobs are far and few between.

Recently I've been getting turned onto the idea Of physical therapy assistant. Theres a program at St. Pete college. It's only an A.S. degree but I can go back and finish my undergrad later and then maybe onto grad school for PT. Antoher thing is that with Exercise science I cant start that program until next fall in 2006, with PTA I could start this summer because all my pre-reqs are already completed.

I'd rather discuss this with you guys because I dont want my family to think I'm wishywashy. I dont want to bring it up until I'm sure of what I'm gonna do.

What do you guys think?

Thanks, study hard.

Regardless of which path you choose, you are probably not going to make a lot of money. If you are already on your way to an AS degree, I would persue the BS/BA degree in exercise science. There are sometimes a couple paths that you can choose in exercise science programs.
1. Pure exercise science
2. Athletic training
3. Physical education
An exercise science degree will give you an entirely new perspective on human performance that you don't get with personal training and bodybuilding.

1. You will have to take a number of natural science courses including chem 1 and 2, physics 1 and 2, A&P 1 and 2, and basic biology/zoology course.
2. Then the courses will build off these basic sciences including exercise physiology, kinesiology, biomechanics, nutrition, bio chem nutrition, physical disabilities, motor learning and development, and a couple different strength and conditioning courses that cover plyometrics, isotonic, isokinetics, isometrics, proprioception ect.

The athletic training track adds medical training relevant to sports injuries and rehabilitation and the physical education track adds education and curriculum for eventual licensure in physical education.

If you plan is to pursue physical therapy in post graduate training, doing something in athletic training is in my opinion the best direction to move in. It provides you with training and autonomy similar to physical therapy. And if you pursue PT after your undergrad, you will have dual credentials as an ATC and PT which is very marketable.

Further, there are options for special certification from the American colleges of sports medicine and the national strength and conditioning association. The NSCA offers the CSCS credentials (certified strength and conditioning specialist) and if very marketable as well. People with this credential are often hired by division I and II College to provide conditioning programs to athletes in the off, pre, in and post seasons.

Going in the PTA direction is ok, but doesn't qualify you more for PT school than someone with an exercise science degree. PT is an entry level graduate degree that is moving towards the clinical doctorate. Further, it would only prolong you education since most exercise science programs wouldn't recognize any of the coursework that you take for credit towards the BS/BA degree. My point is that it would probably take you 3 years after PTA school to complete the course work for an exercises science degree. The only good thing about PTA school would be the experience to see if it is really what you would like to do someday. Athletic training would probably give you an equally good perspective and the additional training and job opportunities. If you like sports and human performance, athletic training is the way to go! L.

 

[delicatefade]

If you are interested in eventually going to PT school I would do exercise science and make sure that you have all your prerequisites for PT school along the way. Getting an A.S. and becoming a PTA will only prolong your road to PT school as you will still have to finish the prerequisites AND get a bachelors degree. If there are anymore PT programs that still accept students without a bachelor's degree they will soon ONLY accept students with bachelor's degrees. Good luck!!!

 

[mlcl4]

Well I started doing some observation at PT clinics. So I far I like what I see. I'd like to do an observation in a sports med clinic to see how those guys are to deal with. I would imagine there more pleasant becuse atheletes wanna get better as opposed to the workers comp guy who trying to milk his injury and stay out of work for as long as possible. Anyway I wanna do some more observing before I decide to do the apply to the program. I've got an appointment at St. Josephs (tampa) on monday so I'll get to see what that side looks like.
The one complaint I hear over and over again is that you dont always get to spend enough time with the patients. You dont always get to see them fully recover.
Does any one have anything they'd like to add to the compliant list of PTA. Or the good stuff about it too.

 

[NurseyK]

Hey...I'll add my 2 cents here.... 🙂

My BS is in Exercise Science (from many moons ago). Our department, in the late 1980's, was PT and ES -- soon to split into 2 departments in the 1990's with BS/MS/Doctorate tracks for each. So, I believe if you really want to go PT you can get a BS in it (at least you used to be able to 😉 ).

Lawguil has given you great info about ES. My vote is always go for the ES degree! It is a great "step-off" degree to move you onto other post-grad tracts, if that's what you want to do or even don't know what you want to do. My ES degree has taken me, personally, from training athletes at the Olympic Training Center, through nursing school, to medical school. Many of my classmates went on to chiro school, medschool, dental school (honest!), PA school, Prosthetics/Orthotics school, nursing school, PT school, cardiac rehab, opened their own gyms, coached sports teams, got their AT Cert, went into Reseach......as just a few examples off the top of my head.

It's hard for me to say, "hey, go find an ES graduate to shadow" b/c they are everywhere doing just about everything. Best bet would be to call schools that have an ES program and ask to get in touch with their graduates (I know I used to get plenty of "can you answer a few questions for me"-type telephone calls referred to me from my undergrad the first few years I was out). Finding a PT to shadow is a great idea too -- rehab clinics, nursing homes, hospitals, etc, etc....

Good luck with your decision!

Kat

 

[mlcl4]

Hey...I'll add my 2 cents here.... 🙂

My BS is in Exercise Science (from many moons ago). Our department, in the late 1980's, was PT and ES -- soon to split into 2 departments in the 1990's with BS/MS/Doctorate tracks for each. So, I believe if you really want to go PT you can get a BS in it (at least you used to be able to 😉 ).

Lawguil has given you great info about ES. My vote is always go for the ES degree! It is a great "step-off" degree to move you onto other post-grad tracts, if that's what you want to do or even don't know what you want to do. My ES degree has taken me, personally, from training athletes at the Olympic Training Center, through nursing school, to medical school. Many of my classmates went on to chiro school, medschool, dental school (honest!), PA school, Prosthetics/Orthotics school, nursing school, PT school, cardiac rehab, opened their own gyms, coached sports teams, got their AT Cert, went into Reseach......as just a few examples off the top of my head.

It's hard for me to say, "hey, go find an ES graduate to shadow" b/c they are everywhere doing just about everything. Best bet would be to call schools that have an ES program and ask to get in touch with their graduates (I know I used to get plenty of "can you answer a few questions for me"-type telephone calls referred to me from my undergrad the first few years I was out). Finding a PT to shadow is a great idea too -- rehab clinics, nursing homes, hospitals, etc, etc....

Good luck with your decision!

Kat

Thanks for replying. What type of jobs were you able to get just with your ES degree (before Med school)? I work as a personal trainer now (4yrs) and dont want to do that forever. I've thought about cardiac rehab but from What I hear they dont pay very well. I'm really not interested in grad or professional school thats why I asked about the jobs for purely ES only. From what I hear personal trainers (corporate wellness) seem to be the most popular.

I've thought about PTA because I enjoy making bodies well and stronger. I'm also at a point in college were I need to decide what my next step is going to be, I'm just about done my gen. ed.

 

[lawguil]

Thanks for replying. What type of jobs were you able to get just with your ES degree (before Med school)? I work as a personal trainer now (4yrs) and dont want to do that forever. I've thought about cardiac rehab but from What I hear they dont pay very well. I'm really not interested in grad or professional school thats why I asked about the jobs for purely ES only. From what I hear personal trainers (corporate wellness) seem to be the most popular.

I've thought about PTA because I enjoy making bodies well and stronger. I'm also at a point in college were I need to decide what my next step is going to be, I'm just about done my gen. ed.

I know what you’re thinking, but I still say go the exercises science route. If you're interested in PT, then you're interested in graduate work simply because it requires either a masters or clinical doctorate to practice. PTA is a great field, but requires an associate’s degree, your limited in what you can do and it doesn't pay squat. Exercises science is not personal training! It will give you opportunities that don't exist with any other program. You'll complete the requirements for premed, PT, PA, ect, and leave the program with a skill. If you are able to get into an exercise science program with an athletic training track, you will be far better of with more options and better pay. Your time investment will be very similar and you'll earn a bachelors degree. If you go the PTA track and decided you really wanted to be the PT, you'll have to finish your BA/BS, and then apply to PT school. It sounds like you're enthusiastic about PTA school and it is a great field, but it will present some challenges if you ever want to advance your training. I would encourage you to check out the athletic training website, www.nata.org for some more information. You should also check out www.apta.com, for more information about physical therapy. My guess it you'll be happy working as a PTA for about 1-2 years. After that, you'll be looking for something more. Their is just something about healthcare that makes you want to do something more. L.