Top undergrad Kine/Physiology/Exercise science programs

[Bingo07]

After 2 years of majoring in IR, I've decided to pursue what I've always been interested in: physical therapy.
I'm planning on transfering to major in either kinesiology, physiology, or exercise science, and am trying to figure out which schools have solid undergrad programs in these departments.
I've done quite of bit of research on this already, but it's hard to know just what schools have the top programs and best opportunities for undergrads. I'm particularly interested in getting experience working in the sports injury area, if that matters at all.

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[artizzle]

Beingo07,

Are you planning on transferring to a different school in order to pursue a kines/phys/exercise science undergrad program? Do you have your degree yet? Why do you want to transfer to a different school for undergrad? Although the undergrad program you attend is not unimportant for PT school, I don't think it's worth the trouble, unless your current school does not offer any of the pre-requisites for physical therapy school. If you know your goal is to get into PT school, there's no point in transferring school, just change your major so that your major and PT pre-req coursework overlap. However, if you want to explore kines/phys/exer sci further, then take some intro classes at your current school. Personally, I don't think that transferring is worh the fuss, plus you can get a job as an PT aide nearly anywhere and I think that counts more than graduating from a highly ranked kines (or whatever) undergraduate program.

Maybe I made some incorrect assumptions about your situation, elaborate so we can give more informed feedback.

 

[Bingo07]

Thanks for your reply. To clarify, no, I don't have my degree yet. I went to Tufts for 2 years but withdrew b/c I was going to end up being there longer than 4 yrs if I changed my major. At 50k a year, staying at Tufts just would have been foolish.

Also, I'm quite aware I can go to pretty much any school and get into a DPT program. However, that is not my intention. I want to go to a school with a strong undergrad program that would allow me to get a strong background in kinesiology and (this is important to me) also allow me to have hands-on experience in athletic programs, etc.

I know that work/volunteer experience outside of an academic program is incredibly important as well but right now I'm trying to
figure out which universities have strong undergrad programs in kinesiology/exercise science so I can make my decision from there.

So I guess my question remains: what universities provide the best undergrad experience for kines/exersci?

 

[Akiramay]

I majored in Kinesiology at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. I really loved it and think they have a really great program. The classes, labs, and professors were very interesting and challenging, and I think they helped prepare me and lay the foundation for PT school.

 

[rlw237]

Penn States' Kinesiology Program was awesome, and they allow you to take 15 credits of 400 level classes in what ever topic you want (as long as they offered it). I was fortunate enough to take a lot of classes towards PT school, and also took an extra anatomy class (one was just on muscles and skeleton working with cadavers, other was on everything). I believe they are ranked #2 in Kines nationally. Worth looking into if you ask me. Oh and from what I hear they know how to throw a party or two .

 

[Bingo07]

Thanks for the info...I was actually considering Penn State and U of Illinois. You guys didn't really mention this, but how were the out-of-classroom opportunities? (e.g. working with sports teams/in clinical settings).

I'm also looking at UNC, UVA and University of Washington...anyone had any experience with those programs?

 

[lee9786]

I wouldn't recommend PSU unless you are getting scholarships, grants, parents helping pay, etc... I especially wouldn't recommend it if you are "out-of-state." I'd recommend taking as many transferable credits and your prereqs at a community college while finishing up your BS degree at an inexpensive accredited college. Save your tuition debt for grad school. You will thank me later. I went to Penn State. Great party school! So if you want to spend 12k a semester for a great time and party ignore all of my advise. If you want to put yourself in a stable financial situation when you complete your DPT degree, I'd recommend the CC idea.


ps... I had many classes with kinesiology students at the PSU program. It was proof that the quality of education lies with the quality of the student and not the quality of the institution.

 

[MJHUSKERS]

What lee9786 said at the end is spot on. You get out what you put in and I don't care what you say. I have very similar interest as the OP and I thought long and hard if I wanted to do a graduate assisstantship with a big ten school and earn a masters in kinesiology before PT school. However, I think finishing PT school is more important and thus I choose to go to PT school next year. Focus on PT school and there is plenty of time afterwards for whatever else you want to work on or experience.

 

[Akiramay]

Thanks for the info...I was actually considering Penn State and U of Illinois. You guys didn't really mention this, but how were the out-of-classroom opportunities? (e.g. working with sports teams/in clinical settings).

I'm also looking at UNC, UVA and University of Washington...anyone had any experience with those programs?

Not sure about working with the sports teams. There's a really good athletic training program here, so they might do some stuff with them but I'm not positive. With clinical settings, there are some hospitals nearby (Carle and Provena) that let you observe/get PT experience. I never observed there but I know a lot of people did.

 

[artizzle]

OP, have you considered getting a degree in athletic training? If I could redo my undergrad knowing what I know, I would probably become an ATC before going to PT school. I'm assuming you can still sit for the ATC test with a BS in athletic training.

 

[atstudent]

OP, have you considered getting a degree in athletic training? If I could redo my undergrad knowing what I know, I would probably become an ATC before going to PT school. I'm assuming you can still sit for the ATC test with a BS in athletic training.

Yes, you can currently sit for the BOC exam to become a Certified Athletic Trainer (ATC) after completing a BS in athletic training at an accredited program. They used to have an internship route, but that was eliminated 5 or 6 years ago. I am currently in the Athletic Training Education Program at Southeast Missouri State. I have worked with the football team and gymnastics team oncampus along with at a high school. In the spring, I will be working with the college track team and doing a PT rotation at one of the local hospitals.

If you are interested in athletic training, I would invite you to check out the National Athletic Trainers' Association website at www.nata.org

 

[MinnDasota]

I agree. Look into athletic training. It will cover a lot of your prereqs for PT schools too.

 

[Bingo07]

Thanks for the input. I've been considering athletic training b/c I know it would definitely give me a more athletics-specific background (I eventually get into sports therapy). I guess I'm just a little concerned that if for some reason I decide to not go for a DPT degree, I'm kind of screwed in terms of job opportunities b/c to most employers outside of the health industry, an athletic training degree is the quintesential "dumb jock" major.

In terms of my current career goals, though, I suppose athletic training is probably one of the more practical routes I could take.

So I guess my follow up question is this: has any one here succesfully gotten employment as a physical therapist treating athletes/sports injuries and how helpful would a AT degree be for someone in that field?

 

[atstudent]

Thanks for the input. I've been considering athletic training b/c I know it would definitely give me a more athletics-specific background (I eventually get into sports therapy). I guess I'm just a little concerned that if for some reason I decide to not go for a DPT degree, I'm kind of screwed in terms of job opportunities b/c to most employers outside of the health industry, an athletic training degree is the quintesential "dumb jock" major.

Athletic Training is an Allied Health profession. The education can provide many different routes of employment. After I finish my degree this time next year, I will have sat for the BOC exam (to become a Certified Athletic Trainer) as well as sitting for the Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist exam. Athletic Trainers are found in many settings including high school, college and professional sports but also in physician's offices, physical therapy clinics, fitness centers, and the military.

In terms of my current career goals, though, I suppose athletic training is probably one of the more practical routes I could take.

So I guess my follow up question is this: has any one here succesfully gotten employment as a physical therapist treating athletes/sports injuries and how helpful would a AT degree be for someone in that field?

I work for a physical therapy clinic when I am not at school. My boss there started as an athletic trainer before doing onto PT school. He said that he was the head athletic trainer at his university while attending PT school! Now, obviously things have changed quite a bit as he has been in practice for over 20 years. He does not primarily see athletes as patients now, but we do have quite a few athletes from our local high schools who come to the clinic for rehab working with both athletic trainers and physical therapists.