<p>I'm a rising senior that is seriously considering becoming a Physical Therapist. However, not many undergraduate colleges offer majors that pertain to this specific career. My question is whether or not it is necesary to major in physical therapy during undergrad to become a physical therapist. Does graduate school matter more? Should I go to a college that I feel more comfortable at, or a college with physical therapy as a major? Any help, information, or imput appreciated.</p>
<p>My cousin who majored in religion and dance in college is going to get a Ph.D. in physical therapy...</p>
<p>My d is a bio major with minors in chem, psych and dance. She's planning to apply for the DPT program...a clinical doctor in physical therapy. Check on the APTA website (the American Phys Therapy assoc) and read up in the section on education. It talks about this degree and how the industry is moving towards this. Many schools have eliminated masters programs in PT (Duke, Emory, et) and are now only offering the clinical doctor degree (3 year program).</p>
<p>This doctoral degree does not require an undergrad in pt but most programs have a pretty long list of required pre-req classes, mostly science. And most programs require hours of observation in PT in various settings. This can be paid or unpaid. </p>
<p>Some colleges offer a program where you can major in PT and then move into a doctoral program (I think Boston University has one, but not sure). </p>
<p>I don't know alot, but what I have learned seems to suggest that an undergrad PT degree isn't sufficient anymore. So you should definitely do research on this as you're deciding. D chose a bio major because it will keep several doors open, including possible med school should she decide on that instead.</p>
<p>Good luck. PT looks like a great profession. D is currently observing at a children's hospital and loving it. Lots of flexibility and plenty of job opportunities.</p>
<p>PT is considered a grad school program - so your undergrad can be just about anything - BUT........ you must include the pre-req's of the PT grad school piece - many sciences and now more psych has been added.</p>
<p>Possible majors could well be biology - exercise and sports science - exercise physiology <<(very good pre-PT major) - or any major with a possible minor in something that gives you all the pre-reqs. The grad portion to be a PT can be a Masters program - or PhD - both exist at this point - but a BS will get you no where except for the undergrad requirement.</p>
<p>This will give you a basic idea of the pre-PT requirements..........
<a href="http://www.ecu.edu/cs-dhs/pt/admission.cfm%5B/url%5D">http://www.ecu.edu/cs-dhs/pt/admission.cfm</a> - the graduate piece is a 3 year PhD.........</p>
<p>JeepMom mentions that physical therapy is now mostly at the graduate level. However, it's my understanding that MOST programs are either a Masters or DPT (Doctor of Physical Therapy) degree. The DPT is a practicing therapist degree. Some schools also offer a PhD, but at least at the top ranked schools we've researched so far, the emphasis seems to be on the DPT degree rather than PhD programs.</p>
<p>At least that's what I THINK we've noticed. It is all a bit confusing. However, I do believe it's absolutely correct that pretty much a "BS will get you nowhere except for the undergrad requirement".</p>