I did not take anatomy as an undergrad

[narwahals420]

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Hello, I graduated with a BS in neuroscience two years ago. My most recent work experience has fostered an interest in going back to school for PT. Turns out I have completed all the prerequisites except anatomy. Not really sure what to do next here. I looked up my local community college and they only offer a two-semester program in antaomy/physiology (i already took physiology). Has anyone else encountered this problem, and are there schools that are more lax on on this requirement? Also, why do I need anatomy if I wind up taking it as a PT student anyway?

Thank you.

 

[dsoz]

Just take it. You will be happy that you did.

They require you to take it even though you will take it again so that it can be taught at a more advanced level, and specific to the program that you are in.

Anatomy is a bunch of memorizing. The second time you go through the process, more things stick.

I was able to take an A&P class at a community college in the evening when I got off work. Maybe there is a place near you where you can do the same. If the school only offers A&P then you should have an advantage if you already had physiology.

Good luck.i hope you reach your dream.
dsoz

 

[bythebay]

Is that community college your only option? It sucks that they don't have anatomy separate. I would take it through and I agree with dsoz. The fact that you have taken Physiology will make it an easier class and you should get A's which would bump up your GPA if you need it. Plus you'd be really good at physio which will help you a lot in PT school.

 

[okramango]

I think most schools will require that you take both semesters of the combined anatomy/physio class. Too bad you can't find a standalone anatomy class in your area. As other have said, though, you will be more prepared for PT school. This anatomy class is your foundation, as the anatomy taught in PT school is much more specialized. Also, anatomy in PT school seems to move more quickly and has a lot more info, so having this foundation will really help.

 

[dizzy88]

I think of all the pre-reqs, this is probably the one they would be least lax about. Yes, you do take anatomy again in the program, but it is much different. Mine greatly relied on your previous knowledge (we didn't re-learn muscle attachments, innervations, etc) and then built up on it with clinical application. If the combined course is your only option, I would just take it.

 

[narwahals420]

What about taking an online course in anatomy? I noticed a lot of schools don't specifically require an anatomy lab and if I have to take two semesters of AP then, it will be another year before I can apply..so that will suck.

 

[dsoz]

The only way to know the answer to this question is to call the school and ask them if it will work.

dsoz

 

[callmecrazy]

I was in a similar situation as a Bio major having physio credits but not anatomy, and I ended up taking anatomy online from a community college across the state. It was one of the cheapest and easiest classes I've ever taken, and it took very little time to get through all the work. I had also checked in advance that my schools would accept it (it was Spring following application, so I was already accepted).

In retrospect, I should have taken the extra time to do the A&P series in person, and I would recommend it to anyone going into PT school. PT school anatomy was fast paced and detailed, and I had virtually no knowledge base to build from compared to my classmates. It was a monumental struggle without a good anatomy class prior. I think you will be doing yourself a huge favor if you go for the A&P series and better prepare yourself.

 

[elmcd77]

I took Anatomy (separate from Physiology) at a community college in my state that is known to be one of the best community colleges in the country. I am halfway through my first year of PT school and if I could have done anything over again, I would have taken Anatomy at the more rigorous state school program. I am a somewhat nontraditional student and I was taking all my courses at the community college to save money. Any other class was fine, but my classmates seem to have learned more in their university anatomy programs than I did. I really struggled this summer in my anatomy class. Now, I am more on track, but it took a lot of extra time on my part. Take the hardest anatomy you can, it will help you in school. It's not just about getting into PT school, it's about learning as effectively as you can once you are there.

 

[NewTestament]

I took Anatomy (separate from Physiology) at a community college in my state that is known to be one of the best community colleges in the country. I am halfway through my first year of PT school and if I could have done anything over again, I would have taken Anatomy at the more rigorous state school program. I am a somewhat nontraditional student and I was taking all my courses at the community college to save money. Any other class was fine, but my classmates seem to have learned more in their university anatomy programs than I did. I really struggled this summer in my anatomy class. Now, I am more on track, but it took a lot of extra time on my part. Take the hardest anatomy you can, it will help you in school. It's not just about getting into PT school, it's about learning as effectively as you can once you are there.

I'm going to disagree and recommend that you take A&P at your local community college. Here's why, based on my experience:

Cost. The class at my state school was $400/credit. vs. $160/credit at the community college.

Availability: the state school only offered the class at two times, one at 7:30am and the other at 10:45am (which was closed of course).

Quality of instruction: equal at both schools. The instructor at the state school had a phD, but you don't need a phD to teach A&P at this level. The instructor at the CC completed chiropractic school and then got a masters in nutrition. He was certainly qualified.

Class size. The class at the CC was 15 students (early morning, lecture and lab were back-to-back). The class at the state school was 135 students in a large auditorium. It was much easier to obtain an LOR at the CC than at the state school.

Lab. Less busy work in the lab at the CC. The instructor at the state school was a TA, who wasn't exciting at all. The lab instructor at the CC was the lecturer.

Material: learned no more at the state school than I did at the CC. In fact, the instructor at the CC had more insight on some topics than the one at the state school.

You're already going to pay hundreds on the application process, so save yourself money and take the pre-requisites as cheap as possible.

Kevin

 

[narwahals420]

I was in a similar situation as a Bio major having physio credits but not anatomy, and I ended up taking anatomy online from a community college across the state. It was one of the cheapest and easiest classes I've ever taken, and it took very little time to get through all the work. I had also checked in advance that my schools would accept it (it was Spring following application, so I was already accepted).

In retrospect, I should have taken the extra time to do the A&P series in person, and I would recommend it to anyone going into PT school. PT school anatomy was fast paced and detailed, and I had virtually no knowledge base to build from compared to my classmates. It was a monumental struggle without a good anatomy class prior. I think you will be doing yourself a huge favor if you go for the A&P series and better prepare yourself.

Thank you everyone for all your responses! Sounds like PT anatomy is going to suck.
I know you recommend taking A&P in person, but that will be two semesters of class and I currently work full-time with a rotating schedule. So, even though it was not your point...I was really encouraged to read you were accepted to PT programs after going the online route. How did you contact schools and how much information did you give them about the class? The class I am interested in is at a university...not sure how easy or difficult it will be but it claims to be aimed towards people in my boat.

 

[elmcd77]

I'm going to disagree and recommend that you take A&P at your local community college. Here's why, based on my experience:

Cost. The class at my state school was $400/credit. vs. $160/credit at the community college.

Availability: the state school only offered the class at two times, one at 7:30am and the other at 10:45am (which was closed of course).

Quality of instruction: equal at both schools. The instructor at the state school had a phD, but you don't need a phD to teach A&P at this level. The instructor at the CC completed chiropractic school and then got a masters in nutrition. He was certainly qualified.

Class size. The class at the CC was 15 students (early morning, lecture and lab were back-to-back). The class at the state school was 135 students in a large auditorium. It was much easier to obtain an LOR at the CC than at the state school.

Lab. Less busy work in the lab at the CC. The instructor at the state school was a TA, who wasn't exciting at all. The lab instructor at the CC was the lecturer.

Material: learned no more at the state school than I did at the CC. In fact, the instructor at the CC had more insight on some topics than the one at the state school.

You're already going to pay hundreds on the application process, so save yourself money and take the pre-requisites as cheap as possible.

Kevin

I agree with your cost assessment, and at the time I thought I was having a reasonable experience. However, once I was in PT school, I realized that my course did not cover the breadth of my classmate's anatomy courses and they were at an advantage. My PT anatomy instructor breezed over topics and assumed a level of knowledge we had not even touched on in the community college.

I know everyone has a different experience, and at the time I valued my anatomy experience at the CC. However, now that I am at the state university in their PT program, I really wish I had taken my anatomy at the university level. It really is my largest regret in the process of preparation for school. Weigh the costs and decide for yourself, this is just my two cents.

That being said, I would not recommend to take any other classes (even physiology, I am strictly speaking anatomy here) at the university level. CC was more than acceptable for these prereqs. Anatomy is just so important and the basis for many of your classes in PT school. Make sure it is a good program because you really will use it for the rest of your career. The base you build now will really help you in the future.

 

[callmecrazy]

How did you contact schools and how much information did you give them about the class? The class I am interested in is at a university...not sure how easy or difficult it will be but it claims to be aimed towards people in my boat.

You probably have no reason to be concerned if its at 4-year university, but you can email or call the programs with the course description, and know whether if it is "for science majors" or not, as that is often a factor. I actually recommend email over phone in these instances because then you have a record of someone saying "yes that is ok". It has been a few years, but I think that was the route I went.

 

[narwahals420]

You probably have no reason to be concerned if its at 4-year university, but you can email or call the programs with the course description, and know whether if it is "for science majors" or not, as that is often a factor. I actually recommend email over phone in these instances because then you have a record of someone saying "yes that is ok". It has been a few years, but I think that was the route I went.

Gotcha, makes sense, thanks.