What should I major in if I want to become a Physical Therapist?
I'm currently a Junior in High School and about to finish up the school year. I know I want to become a physical therapist, but I'm not quite sure what to major in before I go to medical school. I've thought about a Pre-Med Biology major, but I've also thought about a major in Exercise Science with an emphasis in Human Performance. Is one better than the other if I am going into PT? Is there another major that would be even better? The college I want to go to offers both of these majors, so availability is not a problem. Thank you so much!
3 answers
Deanne’s Answer
PT school applications require many of the same courses you would take as an exercise science major. The overlap means you wouldn't need to take as many extra classes before you apply to PT school. If you major in biology, you will be taking a lot of higher level biology classes that are not required to apply to PT school, like genetics and such. I went this route because my college did not offer an exercise science major and wasted lots of time studying things I didn't really care to know that much about! Then had to take courses after graduation to fulfill the requirements for PT school application.
Typical courses required for PT school are: 2-3 semesters of biology, 2 semesters each of chemistry and physics, 1 semester of anatomy, 1 semester of exercise physiology, 1 semester of kinesiology and 2 semesters of psychology. It depends on the PT school, though.
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