What shoud I major in for Pysical Therapy School?

[WilliamJewell62]

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I am currently majoring in Biology and taking all of the required courses for the Pre-Physical therapy program. I was wanting to know it would wise to Major in Elementary Education w/ a focus on Science and still obtain my required courses. When i graduate I would have 2 options. PT school or go right into teaching. Any thoughts?

 

[tosh]

There is no required major for pre-DPT students, some schools like to see additional Movemnet Scinces classes and thats why most students graduate with a Kinesiology/Exercise Science degree which is very close to a PT program and I think will prepare you the best for what comes later. But its good to be diverse, major for example in business or education like you and have all pre req done is also a good idea. So if you want to have options after you graduate in my opinion doing what your are planing on doing is good.

Good Luck !

 

[markelmarcel]

I have my bachelor degree in Elementary Education and I've gotten accepted into one school so far... Although, I didn't plan on going to PT school when I was an eled major.

If PT is something you want to do, then it may be wise to pick a degree that is more applicable. Personally, if I were to have a "do-over" I would get my bachelor degree in athletic training and then go to PT school.

But, you can honestly do whatever you want for your bachelor! Some schools like having candidates with diverse backgrounds, and I definitely think having an education degree is going to be helpful-- I know how to be reflective, how to research different ways to get the same results, etc.

Do what your heart tells you!

 

[unlikeall]

I suggest any major that covers the pre reqs that PT schools require. It would have saved me a lot of time and money if I would have done that.

 

[spinfire06]

The most common majors in PT schools are Ex. Science, Biology, and Athletic Training.

 

[callmecrazy]

The most common majors in PT schools are Ex. Science, Biology, and Athletic Training.

I actually just came across the official stats on the APTA website the other day. The top three majors for accepted applicants are Exercise Science, Biology, and Kinesiology. Athletic training was a bit further down the list than I expected, only a fraction of the number from the top three.

OP, I'd guess that adding an elementary ed major could potentially extend how long it takes you to complete your bachelors depending on where you are in your education. In addition, I don't often see elementary ed majors now that aren't also special ed majors because that's what many schools like to see because of inclusion. In short, I would first figure out exactly what adding on the ed major would be in terms of time and money. Then decide if it's worth the extra effort, and how split you are on teaching versus PT. That being said, I was a Bio major with secondary education certification, and I think the education background has been a huge bonus for me. Treating patients in PT comes down to a lot of teaching and patient education! By the time you finish student teaching you will also be over any public speaking and professional communication issues you may have had, which is also incredibly helpful!

 

[futurept15]

I am majoring in Health Sciences. Basically I am taking courses like: Quantitative Methods in Health Care, Epidemiology, Financial Management in Health Care, Complementary & Alternative Medicine, Marketing & Transcultural HC, Health Law, and Quality Management & Evaluation in HC to name a few. I really like it-I feel like I have a lot of knowledge about the health care system in general, which I feel is a huge plus for a physical therapist to have.

I emailed a school I was contemplating applying to and asked if they had a major that they preferred for those applying to their DPT program. The director of admissions told me that they recommend majoring in something that you can use if you do not get into PT school. In other words, it might not be the smartest thing to major in Pre-PT (some schools let you do this) because you cannot really do much with a Bachelor's of Pre-PT.

 

[atstudent]

I actually just came across the official stats on the APTA website the other day. The top three majors for accepted applicants are Exercise Science, Biology, and Kinesiology. Athletic training was a bit further down the list than I expected, only a fraction of the number from the top three.

That's probably because many schools still do not list Athletic Training as a stand-alone degree program. Many classify it as a Physical Education, Kinesiology, Exercise Science, or Health Management concentration.

The NATA and the CAATE has tried to change that over the last few years and they would prefer an athletic training program be its own degree. I believe they are possibly mandating it in the near future.

I am getting ready to graduate (in 13 days) and I actually am not sure what my diploma will say. Previous classes list it as "Health Management: Athletic Training Concentration" but I believe that ours should be the first class that just says "Athletic Training."

 

[markelmarcel]

OP, I'd guess that adding an elementary ed major could potentially extend how long it takes you to complete your bachelors depending on where you are in your education. In addition, I don't often see elementary ed majors now that aren't also special ed majors because that's what many schools like to see because of inclusion. In short, I would first figure out exactly what adding on the ed major would be in terms of time and money. Then decide if it's worth the extra effort, and how split you are on teaching versus PT. That being said, I was a Bio major with secondary education certification, and I think the education background has been a huge bonus for me. Treating patients in PT comes down to a lot of teaching and patient education! By the time you finish student teaching you will also be over any public speaking and professional communication issues you may have had, which is also incredibly helpful!

yes, almost all elementary education degrees are paired with special education. also, they have decided to split again and go back to early childhood K-3 or "intermediate" 4-8, so you see that in a lot of schools paired with the special ed. Definitely worth checking into, if that's a true passion of yours.

And also, I completely agree that I believe my ed degree will be very helpful in patient teaching/treating/education 🙂

 

[hefe]

I wish I had gotten an education degree of some-sort. Would have been nice for a leverage in ESL later for a later time frame outside PT. I was far too close-minded until I got midway through my Junior year.

Too late, but having taken Exercise Sci/Kinesiology I'd rather gain a greater breadth of education in undergrad, than focused on PT related somewhat later (IE PT school). Right now I'm doing a little backpedaling and taking appealing classes that are tailored to particular professional and non-professional interests as these opportunities may not present themselves again.

Although there is not enough time to add a major or even minor to show for it, I still enjoy what is left my senior year. Should wash out well enough for what I expect however.