<p>I'm applying to Columbia, NYU Steinhardt, SUNY Stony Brook, and CUNY Hunter. Since physical therapy is almost primarily graduate student oriented, I was thinking that for my undergrad years I would just major in Studio Art (my only other interest in terms of majors) while fulfilling the prerequisites for PT school.</p>
<p>Is this a plausible idea for the colleges I'm going for?</p>
<p>Physical therapy is a Ph. D. program. To apply a biology/biochem major is likely your best bet. You will need courses in anatomy, biochemistry (need to understand metabolism), and various other courses centered around human physiology. See prospective grad school websites for their prerequisites and go from there.</p>
<p>No, you don’t need to major in a science. PT programs are typically master’s degrees and require some science background, but you could acquire this along with fine arts training, just as many premeds major in music, English, history, political science, etc. Remember that even after you choose a major–which you generally don’t do until the end of your sophomore year–you will only be taking about half your classes in that major during your last two undergraduate years. That gives you plenty of time to do other things alongside. You will probably need a year of bio, a year or two of chemistry, a year of physics, and maybe an anatomy class. Check out the websites of some PT certification programs; they should list the requirements for admission.</p>
<p>[APTA</a> | Physical Therapist Admissions Process](<a href=“http://www.apta.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Student_Resources&Template=/CM/HTMLDisplay.cfm&ContentID=70230]APTA”>http://www.apta.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Student_Resources&Template=/CM/HTMLDisplay.cfm&ContentID=70230)</p>
<p>majoring in art and knowing you’ll be doing PT down the way is ridiculous. In 4 years when you’re applying for PT degree programs admissions will say, “well what does an art major know about physical therapy?”</p>
<p>Kiniesiology, Behavioral Science, Psychology, medicine, Counseling, = better options</p>
<p>and you can always minor in art if you’re really interested in the subject</p>