Question about school/degree route

[SXRacer519]

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Hello and thanks in advance for any advice!

So after some soul searching, doing 8 years in the military and working a job that I'm not fond of, I've come to the realization that helping people and body mechanics are two things that I really want to do. This lead me into the field of physical therapy, especially after my significant other's mother had to undergo some treatment for a back injury.

(Background for Question): I know it will take me around 7 years to finish my DPT, assuming immediate acceptance of course, since I have no bachelors degree, but I'm trying to figure out a solid course of action. I know you can have any bachelors degree (going to try to get into NAU since I live in Arizona) and must complete a select number of pre-requisite courses to be accepted into their program. I'm currently a full time Electrician working a rotating shift schedule (set schedule, but not the same days off each week, just each month) but I still have the GI Bill to pay for my education. The stipend would allow me to save for the entirety of the DPT program, assuming NAU's website is correct (Total of ~$36k) which would allow me to be debt free, assuming I can talk my boss into letting me work my schedule slightly to attend classes on campus. I would ideally complete a Kinesiology Bachelors through ASU since that covers all of the prerequisites and a lot of it should hopefully carry over into the DPT studies.

(Nitty Gritty): If I'm unable to work my schedule, I still have the option of doing an online degree and then working the prerequisites for the program into that equation somehow during the course of my education, and changing my savings plan to cover the DPT program. Is this a viable option to get accepted into a DPT Program? I know I found a forum a few months ago about people getting in based on pre-req GPA and not having a degree that came close to applying directly, but has anybody here done that? I'm at odds with figuring out the best course of action to further my education and start on the road of doing what my passion is. I suppose my next step is trying to get the school to tell me if this is viable or not, I was just hoping to hear some opinions from people that might have stayed the course as such. I have bills and need to keep this job for at least a few years and the downtime while at work allows me to do homework and study so it works out great regardless of which type of education I get (online vs conventional).

I feel like I was all over the place in this post but hopefully it was concise enough to get my point across. Thank you for any replies you have!

 

[markelmarcel]

I have my bachelor's degree in early childhood and elementary education and went on to get my DPT. You can do/"be" anything for your undergrad, as long as you get your pre-reqs! I'd recommend talking to schools you are really interested in as far as what their specific requirements are... That definitely helped me choose which classes were most important to get, so that I was meeting the requirements of the schools I would be pursuing acceptance from.

 

[PTMattI]

Look at the specific pre req requirements that the DPT schools you are interested in have, and take those classes at a community college, online (if schools allow it) or at your nearest university if schools require certain prereqs be taken at a university.

Then get a degree in ANY field because PT schools simply require specific pre reqs and a bachelors from a university. Choose the major that will require the least amount of extra classes, so that PT school pre reqs can double count for your major as well as for your pre reqs.

If you take classes during the winter and summer sessions as well as fall and spring you may be able to get it done in 4 years while still keeping your job. Good luck!

 

[DPTinFL]

If I were you...I would get my undergrad online from the cheapest accredited public school and possibly finish in 3 yrs in any field. While doing this, take some of the prerequisites at a local CC or university with the understanding that they will transfer into your undergrad degree. By this I mean don't do 120 credits of undergrad + 12-20 or so in pre-requisites. Instead try to combine them, maybe use pre-req credits as your electives? With a good gpa and a military background, you should get into a DPT program. Also keep in mind that DPT tuition will be higher by the time you get in.

 

[SXRacer519]

Thanks for all of the replies! You definitely answered my question and I appreciate it greatly. I definitely understand the DPT Program cost will continue to rise as everything else does, which is part of why I need to keep this job while doing my undergrad so I can save up enough to cover the degree and possibly not working (very much) for the first year. Everything I've read basically tells that the first year of most programs is jam packed and on a set schedule so working is near impossible or highly not recommended (anything is possible, I know, and I'll do what I have too!). Lucky for me the Navy's nuclear program had us memorizing loads of material each week for the "worlds most important test" but it sounds intimidating none the less. I'm excited!

 

[starrsgirl]

Yep for you I would def try to just get a bachelors as quick as possible online. Also do some research on this one. There are many military friendly schools that will help award credit for military training /work. In the long run , not having to take a class here and there will really add up. Also consider online schools that offer full summer semesters (not shortened) so you can take a full course load year round. And yes, agree with above poster...go to a school that will take your community college pre reqs as well to count towards your degree. Often you can create a degree if they don't have one that quite fits (work with an advisor). Since you have some time, maybe set up a volunteer stint just 1 morning a week somewhere to start getting hours. I actually did all my hours in a military clinic which was cool. Best of luck! (I did a similar field in the military and my newly improved study skills helped me so much when going back to school)

 

[truthseeker]

OR, you could consider an undergraduate degree in athletic training. It gets right to the nut of what you want to do, plus, if you don't get into PT school right away, you are employable in the field. I realize that you can be employed as an electrician and that probably pays better than an ATC but it isn't in the field that you like. Plus, as a DPT ATC you are more marketable.

 

[iamastudent]

You could also look for a school that does a 3 + 3 program, and save yourself a year. I am not sure if there is one in your area though.

 

[OHIO PT]

This is what I was going to suggest. I dont think there are any direct entry programs in Arizona though. Anytime someone knows they want to become a PT before they have entered undergrad it is always better to look a direct entry programs. You can avoid all the hassle of the GRE, reapplying for PT school, and you finish a year early. I went to a Direct entry 3+3 program, couldnt have worked out any better.

 

[NewTestament]

Undergrad degrees are almost worthless these days, so minimize the cost. I simply don't understand people who spend $100k on undergrad degrees. Don't be one of those people. Get a degree that includes all the PT pre-reqs so you're not going to school for five or six years. Do well in all your classes but especially in your science classes. I suggest pre-med, public health, or biology, but not exercise science.

 

[AlanWattsBlues]

I guess some other people have touched on this, but I would just like to reiterate: it might be worth considering a major that has some more flexibility in it than kinesiology. Granted, if you're already an electrician then you have a valuable skillset to fall back on in case something unexpected happens. But goals and dreams can change. Since you haven't sunk any time into a specific path yet, it might be a good idea to get a baseline degree in something that leaves you with more options in 4 years, particularly since PT schools don't look beyond having some kind of bachelors and the pre-req's.

 

[DesertPT]

I would second what was said about very carefully considering things before you do an exercise science or kinesiology degree. These are really a major waste of money if you don't go on to PT school as any job you can get with these degree will probably not pay more than $13-15/hr. You can get a job that pays that much with no degree.

Biology is definitely more valuable than kinesiology but still will only put you in the $20-22/hr. range without also doing a masters, and jobs that directly involve decent biology knowledge (such as technical staff in a research setting), that only require a bachelor's, are somewhat hard to come by. The knowledge you get from a biology degree is very helpful though.

 

[DesertPT]

I would second what was said about very carefully considering things before you do an exercise science or kinesiology degree. These are really a major waste of money if you don't go on to PT school as any job you can get with these degree will probably not pay more than $13-15/hr. You can get a job that pays that much with no degree.

Biology is definitely more valuable than kinesiology but still will only put you in the $20-22/hr. range without also doing a masters, and jobs that directly involve decent biology knowledge (such as technical staff in a research setting), that only require a bachelor's, are somewhat hard to come by. The knowledge you get from a biology degree is very helpful though.

Financially speaking most science bachelor's degrees don't make a ton of sense considering you can easily make $25-30/hr with associates degrees in things like physical therapy assistant or radiology technologist. Heck, the median salary for dental hygenists with associates degrees is only $5.50/hr less than physical therapists.

If you are pretty confident about going to PT school, pick a degree that interests you but is also worth something if PT school doesn't work out.