What should I major for being a Physical Therapist?

Pre-Med & Medical School High School Student Topics
1

I’m going to be a senior this year for 2017-2018 and looking in to being a Physical Therapist, or something else in the health care field (maybe pharmacy) Any advice in what would be best to major in before hand?

2

You are not required to select a particular major in order to be eligible for admission to a PT program. The most common undergraduate majors among PT students include exercise science, biology, kinesiology, and psychology. In selecting a college major, consider how you will you satisfactorily complete the prerequisite courses for your designated physical therapist programs in addition to the college/university’s degree and major requirements. Work with your academic and/or prePT advisor to plan your course schedule.

College Course Prerequisites

The course prerequisites for admission vary significantly across PT education programs. Visit the institutional website or the PTCAS directory to determine what courses are required by each institution. PT programs may require preprofessional (pre-PT/undergraduate) science courses to be completed in a 4-year university/college within the 7-10 years prior to enrollment. Be prepared to identify what classes you have taken (or will take) to fulfill the program’s course requirements. The most commonly required course prerequisites are below:

Anatomy / A&P 1 with lab
Physiology / A&P 2 with lab
Biology 1 (not botany or zoology)
Biology 2 (not botany or zoology)
General Chemistry 1 with lab
General Chemistry 2 with lab
General Physics 1 with lab
General Physics 2 with lab
Psychology
Statistics

  • Some PT programs only accept anatomy and/or physiology courses completed in a biology, neuroscience, anatomy, or integrated physiology department. PT programs may not accept a combined anatomy and physiology (A&P) course or those completed in other departments, such as kinesiology. Visit the PTCAS directory to determine what type of anatomy and physiology courses are required for admission.
3

For PT, also choose your major knowing what else you would do if you don’t get in to PT school. For pharmacy, that is going to be a specific degree. Look at options at the colleges that you are considering.