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Sophie
Student
Rock Hill, South Carolina
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If I were to be a physical therapist or athletic trainer, what should my minor and major be?
If I were to be a physical therapist or athletic trainer, what should my minor and major be?
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3 answers
Sarah Williams
Team Leader, Compensation
5
Answers
Detroit, Michigan
Updated
Sarah’s Answer
It is common to major in Biology, Kinesiology or Exercise Science if you want to become a Physical Therapist. I don't believe you need to have a degree to become an Athletic Trainer, but maybe a certificate.
Athletic training requires an entry-level masters degree. It had previously been a bachelors degree the last 20 to 25 minutes. They are regulated by the Board of Certification for Athletic Training, known as the BOC.
Physical therapy requires a clinical doctorate, known as the DPT.
Common undergrad majors are biology, kinesiology, and exercise science for both pathways.
Chris Harp
Chris Harp
Athletic Trainer
14
Answers
Florence, Kentucky
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Chris’s Answer
An athletic trainer requires an entry-level masters degree, generally known as the MSAT. Athletic trainers are going to work mostly in a traditional setting of high school or college athletics, while employed by a hospital or clinical group. Some athletic trainers are working in professional athletics, public safety, and even the military. This would generally require a bachelors degree in the kinesiology or exercise science, followed by a masters degree and athletic training. You may be able to find programs that are 3+2 meaning that you will get both your bachelors degree and your masters degree at five years. Starting salary is about $50,000.
Physical therapy Requires a clinical doctorate degree, known as the DPT. Physical therapists work in physical therapy clinics mostly working with a general population to restore gross motor movement. They may also be associated with emergency departments to restore function following trauma, or orthopedic surgeons to restore function following surgery. What is the therapist also work in professional athletics, and the military. This would generally require a bachelors degree in kinesiology or exercise science, followed by the DPT. You may be able to find a program that is 3+3 meaning that you will get both your bachelors and your clinical director at six years. Starting salary is about $80,000-$90,000.
Physical therapy Requires a clinical doctorate degree, known as the DPT. Physical therapists work in physical therapy clinics mostly working with a general population to restore gross motor movement. They may also be associated with emergency departments to restore function following trauma, or orthopedic surgeons to restore function following surgery. What is the therapist also work in professional athletics, and the military. This would generally require a bachelors degree in kinesiology or exercise science, followed by the DPT. You may be able to find a program that is 3+3 meaning that you will get both your bachelors and your clinical director at six years. Starting salary is about $80,000-$90,000.
Matt Skorheim DPT, OCS
Physical Therapist
2
Answers
Charlotte, North Carolina
Updated
Matt’s Answer
I've been a DPT since 2016. As Chris mentioned above, the two professions are more different than the general public point of view. Athletic training typically focuses on on-the-field care when working for an athletic entity (high school, college, professional) and injury prevention strategies. Athletic trainers can work in hospitals or in an orthopedic setting, working alongside DPTs. I have encountered athletic trainers who also work in occupational medicine working on factory floors, etc to help with injury prevention.
Typical athletic training majors are kinesiology, exercise physiology/science as undergraduate degrees and will likely need to pursue a 2-3 year masters program.
Physical therapy encompasses several settings ranging from hospital, subacute rehabilitation, outpatient (seeing someone in a clinic), and home care. The major goal in all settings is restoring movement to improve their daily lives. I work in an orthopedic setting treating anything from low back, neck, shoulder/elbow, hip/knee, foot and ankle pain or limitations. You can work with athletes, in hospital settings with new onset stroke or spinal cord patients, in settings primarily with elderly people, or in areas working primarily with children with disabilities. Think of the needs of people in each stage of their lives.
Physical therapy requires a clinical doctorate in physical therapy (DPT) that typically takes 3 years of post-graduate studies. You must have an undergraduate degree to apply. The specific major for an undergraduate degree does not need to be a specific major AS LONG AS you take the required prerequisite courses in order to be able to apply for a DPT program. Research prospective DPT programs and they will list which classes you will need to take during your undergraduate studies. Most DPT students major in kinesiology, exercise science or biology. I myself, majored in Biology.
With that being said, I have me several individuals who majored in non-science degrees and were able to get accepted into DPTs schools as long as they completed all necessary prerequisite classes. See the following list for typical prerequisite classes to apply for DPT programs:
- Biology I & II
- Chemistry I & II
- Physics I
- Calculus
- Abnormal psychology
- Statistics
- Human anatomy & physiology
See this link to see what University of North Carolina Chapel Hill's DPT program prerequisites:
https://www.med.unc.edu/healthsciences/physical/academic-programs/doctor-of-physical-therapy/dpt-admissions/
I hope this information helps!
Typical athletic training majors are kinesiology, exercise physiology/science as undergraduate degrees and will likely need to pursue a 2-3 year masters program.
Physical therapy encompasses several settings ranging from hospital, subacute rehabilitation, outpatient (seeing someone in a clinic), and home care. The major goal in all settings is restoring movement to improve their daily lives. I work in an orthopedic setting treating anything from low back, neck, shoulder/elbow, hip/knee, foot and ankle pain or limitations. You can work with athletes, in hospital settings with new onset stroke or spinal cord patients, in settings primarily with elderly people, or in areas working primarily with children with disabilities. Think of the needs of people in each stage of their lives.
Physical therapy requires a clinical doctorate in physical therapy (DPT) that typically takes 3 years of post-graduate studies. You must have an undergraduate degree to apply. The specific major for an undergraduate degree does not need to be a specific major AS LONG AS you take the required prerequisite courses in order to be able to apply for a DPT program. Research prospective DPT programs and they will list which classes you will need to take during your undergraduate studies. Most DPT students major in kinesiology, exercise science or biology. I myself, majored in Biology.
With that being said, I have me several individuals who majored in non-science degrees and were able to get accepted into DPTs schools as long as they completed all necessary prerequisite classes. See the following list for typical prerequisite classes to apply for DPT programs:
- Biology I & II
- Chemistry I & II
- Physics I
- Calculus
- Abnormal psychology
- Statistics
- Human anatomy & physiology
See this link to see what University of North Carolina Chapel Hill's DPT program prerequisites:
https://www.med.unc.edu/healthsciences/physical/academic-programs/doctor-of-physical-therapy/dpt-admissions/
I hope this information helps!