7 answers
Gabriela
Student
Salinas, California
1
Question
Updated
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What major would be best to reach a bachelors degree when going towards physical therapy ?
Hello my name is Gabby, I'm an incoming high school senior at Rancho San Juan High School. You might not be aware of our school since it just opened a couple years ago but we are located in Salinas California. My goals after high school is to attend a 4 year University and hopefully work towards something related towards the physical therapy field. I believe one of the main reasons my interested sparked for PT was my participation in sports. I'm a student athlete at Rancho, some of sports I'm a part of are our Varsity Wrestling Team, Varsity Distance Track & Field Team and I'm Varsity Cross Country Team Captain. Being part of the sport all year round caused me to also suffer many injuries throughout my seasons. Many required me to attend physical therapy and just seeing that someone helped me make a difference in my health strikes my passion to succoring others . I'm really interested in Sacramento State's PT program but I'm required to earn a bachelor's degree prior to my enrollment. What major would be best to reach a bachelors degree when going towards physical therapy ? Please let me know what would be best. Thank you.
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7 answers
Michelle M.
Entertainment Industry
1921
Answers
Updated
Michelle’s Answer
Hello, Gabriela !
You have such a wonderful career plan inspired by your life experience ! Becoming a physical therapist is surely a rewarding and satisfying career and you already have first hand knowledge of sports injury care. I think it's awesome to choose to help others through this health care method.
I attended California State University, Sacramento, so as an alumnus I am so happy about your college choice and happy to give you advice. Did you want to go to Cal State Sacramento for your Bachelors Degree also or attend college closer to where you live now for your Bachelors?
Undergraduate majors that would be good for the Physical Therapy program at Cal State Sac would be Human Anatomy, Human Physiology, Physics or Exercise Physiology. Depending on where you want to attend for your Bachelors Degree, read the college websites to see which college offers these majors. Cal State Sac offers a Bachelors Degree in Health Science that would prepare you wonderfully for their Physical Therapy Program. The major consists of taking courses in Human Anatomy and Physiology, Chemistry, Biological Concepts, Microbiology for Health Science students, Human Development, Nutrition, Psychology, Sociology, Statistics and Developmental Math, Pharmacology. They even have a course which is an elective for your major called Sport and Aging among other health related electives.
I would advise attending Cal State Sac for your Bachelors as well as the Physical Therapy program. The campus is a paradise and you should try to take a visit to it when you get the chance. I loved being a Theatre student there. The university has always been superb and they are well funded and always adding new things and beauty to the campus for the students.
Yes, I remember Salinas - it is a three hour drive to Sacramento. That is why, although I urge you to start attending Cal Sate Sac, you must make a decision as to if you can or want to live in the dorms. Salinas is close enough that you can probably go home on long weekends and easily during Winter break. Sacramento is also a great place to live (you're already used to heat, LOL) and there are so many social happenings, good restaurants and it is a very friendly city with lots to do.
If you decide to do your undergraduate study in or near Salinas, you can look at the link I've provided below that has information about colleges closer to you. You will need to read the college catalogues to see if they have a major that would equate to what Cal State Sac offers. By reading college catalogues, you may get some ideas about how you want to take this and what major you would like. If you want to start at your nearby community colleges, transfer to a four year university and then transfer to Cal State Sac, you can do it that way. So, Gabriela, you do have some options and now is the time to do a lot of reading and deciding. In the end, this graduate hopes that you do pick Cal State Sac for the entire college experience. Starting now, you should be looking into scholarships, grants and financial aid. Consider asking questions about those in a separate post. I want you to have all the support you can get as a prospective Cal State Sac student or at any undergrad college you choose.
I hope that this was helpful and I wish you all the best in choosing the education path that works out best for you !
HEALTHCARE DEGREES AT COLLEGES IN OR NEAR SALINAS https://www.franklin.edu/colleges-near/california/salinas/healthcare-degrees
You have such a wonderful career plan inspired by your life experience ! Becoming a physical therapist is surely a rewarding and satisfying career and you already have first hand knowledge of sports injury care. I think it's awesome to choose to help others through this health care method.
I attended California State University, Sacramento, so as an alumnus I am so happy about your college choice and happy to give you advice. Did you want to go to Cal State Sacramento for your Bachelors Degree also or attend college closer to where you live now for your Bachelors?
Undergraduate majors that would be good for the Physical Therapy program at Cal State Sac would be Human Anatomy, Human Physiology, Physics or Exercise Physiology. Depending on where you want to attend for your Bachelors Degree, read the college websites to see which college offers these majors. Cal State Sac offers a Bachelors Degree in Health Science that would prepare you wonderfully for their Physical Therapy Program. The major consists of taking courses in Human Anatomy and Physiology, Chemistry, Biological Concepts, Microbiology for Health Science students, Human Development, Nutrition, Psychology, Sociology, Statistics and Developmental Math, Pharmacology. They even have a course which is an elective for your major called Sport and Aging among other health related electives.
I would advise attending Cal State Sac for your Bachelors as well as the Physical Therapy program. The campus is a paradise and you should try to take a visit to it when you get the chance. I loved being a Theatre student there. The university has always been superb and they are well funded and always adding new things and beauty to the campus for the students.
Yes, I remember Salinas - it is a three hour drive to Sacramento. That is why, although I urge you to start attending Cal Sate Sac, you must make a decision as to if you can or want to live in the dorms. Salinas is close enough that you can probably go home on long weekends and easily during Winter break. Sacramento is also a great place to live (you're already used to heat, LOL) and there are so many social happenings, good restaurants and it is a very friendly city with lots to do.
If you decide to do your undergraduate study in or near Salinas, you can look at the link I've provided below that has information about colleges closer to you. You will need to read the college catalogues to see if they have a major that would equate to what Cal State Sac offers. By reading college catalogues, you may get some ideas about how you want to take this and what major you would like. If you want to start at your nearby community colleges, transfer to a four year university and then transfer to Cal State Sac, you can do it that way. So, Gabriela, you do have some options and now is the time to do a lot of reading and deciding. In the end, this graduate hopes that you do pick Cal State Sac for the entire college experience. Starting now, you should be looking into scholarships, grants and financial aid. Consider asking questions about those in a separate post. I want you to have all the support you can get as a prospective Cal State Sac student or at any undergrad college you choose.
I hope that this was helpful and I wish you all the best in choosing the education path that works out best for you !
Michelle recommends the following next steps:
Serena Khamsaly
physical therapy aide
1
Answer
Goleta, California
Updated
Serena’s Answer
Hello!
Absolutely, if you've set your heart on Physical Therapy, kinesiology is an excellent path to follow! It not only encompasses the necessary courses for PT school, but also gives you a sneak peek into the specific areas you'll be delving into. Moreover, if you engage in additional activities like PT aide jobs or volunteering, taking anatomy or physiology courses can significantly boost your understanding of the field you're immersing yourself in. It's a fantastic way to get a head start on your future career!
Absolutely, if you've set your heart on Physical Therapy, kinesiology is an excellent path to follow! It not only encompasses the necessary courses for PT school, but also gives you a sneak peek into the specific areas you'll be delving into. Moreover, if you engage in additional activities like PT aide jobs or volunteering, taking anatomy or physiology courses can significantly boost your understanding of the field you're immersing yourself in. It's a fantastic way to get a head start on your future career!
Karissa Helton
Teacher
205
Answers
Miami, Florida
Updated
Karissa’s Answer
Biology or Chemistry
Jason White
Lead Product Manager- Network Security
80
Answers
Dallas, Texas
Updated
Jason’s Answer
Nursing. A Bachelors in nursing opens up doors for you to be a licensed healthcare professional and make a living with just your bachelors degree. This allows you the opportunity to work PRN(essentially part time) between undergrad and your attrition into PT school which might or might not be immediate after graduating undergrad. It's not uncommon for some nurses to pick up shifts while in PT school to help offset costs and take care of themselves when schedules permit. Being that nursing can be a very well paying career it provides some additional flexibility to your life while still allowing you to be in a healthcare and hospital setting if that is your desire. This is important because there isn't really as clear a path to a job post graduation for some of the other Pre medical majors such as biology and kinesiology when you compare it to nursing so it can take a lot more to get hired and the jobs likely won't be as flexible.
Martha Kramer
Corporate Training, Communications
354
Answers
Stamford, Connecticut
Updated
Martha’s Answer
Hi Gabby - I appreciate learning the context for your question and wish you well as you progress in sports and academics. In addition, I am currently in physical therapy for an injury and agree wholeheartedly with you about its value.
Below I included a link to indeed.com bachelor degree suggestions and as well as tips for entering the field. The American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) - link below - seems to agree. There are other lists, including from undergraduate institutions. I just chose the two that I recognized. There do seem to be courses required for the Doctor of Physical Therapy program so, regardless of your major, be sure you take them as an undergraduate.
Good luck!
Indeed.com - https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/what-major-for-physical-therapy
APTA - https://www.apta.org/your-career/careers-in-physical-therapy/pt-admissions-process
Below I included a link to indeed.com bachelor degree suggestions and as well as tips for entering the field. The American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) - link below - seems to agree. There are other lists, including from undergraduate institutions. I just chose the two that I recognized. There do seem to be courses required for the Doctor of Physical Therapy program so, regardless of your major, be sure you take them as an undergraduate.
Good luck!
Martha recommends the following next steps:
Chris Walker
4
Answers
Little Rock, Arkansas
Updated
Chris’s Answer
Hi Gabriela!
To get into a Physical Therapy (PT) school, you'll need a Bachelor's degree. It's best if this degree is in a Science field. Essential courses include a two-part Anatomy and Physiology class, a two-part Chemistry class, and a two-part Physics class. There might be other necessary courses, but these can vary depending on the college you choose.
If you're keen on deepening your understanding of the human body, consider pursuing an undergraduate degree in Kinesiology, Exercise Science, or Sports Medicine. These majors are quite similar, with differences mainly in the specific courses offered. However, they all cover in-depth anatomy and advanced exercise prescription.
Remember, PT programs are highly competitive, so your Science GPA is crucial. Also, PT programs have evolved from Masters to Doctorate degrees, meaning they typically last for three years in graduate school. A handy study aid would be Netters anatomy flash cards.
I wish you all the best in your college journey, and I hope this information is helpful to you!
To get into a Physical Therapy (PT) school, you'll need a Bachelor's degree. It's best if this degree is in a Science field. Essential courses include a two-part Anatomy and Physiology class, a two-part Chemistry class, and a two-part Physics class. There might be other necessary courses, but these can vary depending on the college you choose.
If you're keen on deepening your understanding of the human body, consider pursuing an undergraduate degree in Kinesiology, Exercise Science, or Sports Medicine. These majors are quite similar, with differences mainly in the specific courses offered. However, they all cover in-depth anatomy and advanced exercise prescription.
Remember, PT programs are highly competitive, so your Science GPA is crucial. Also, PT programs have evolved from Masters to Doctorate degrees, meaning they typically last for three years in graduate school. A handy study aid would be Netters anatomy flash cards.
I wish you all the best in your college journey, and I hope this information is helpful to you!
Deborah R. Brandt, PT, DPT
Good Moves Physical Therapy, mindful movement
43
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Deborah R.’s Answer
Since you already know what your end goal is, I also suggest you read the information on the APTA website. Also, I suggest that you try to figure out from which school you would like to get your DPT. Then, contact their admissions department, tell them your goal, and ask them for their advice on how you can best prepare yourself for admission into the program of your choice.
Good luck. It takes hard work, so knowing what you want is really helpful. When I was in school, I kept telling myself, "Keep your eyes on the prize,." You sound ready to do that. Go for it.
Good luck. It takes hard work, so knowing what you want is really helpful. When I was in school, I kept telling myself, "Keep your eyes on the prize,." You sound ready to do that. Go for it.