Are you ready to start a journey towards a rewarding career in physical therapy? If you’re passionate about helping others regain mobility and improve their quality of life, choosing the right major is your first step toward success.
DUNY is here to guide you through selecting the best major for your future in physical therapy.
Why Does Your Choice of Major Matter?
It’s essential to consider the significance of your principal when pursuing a career in physical therapy. This profession demands specialized knowledge and expertise in human anatomy, movement, and rehabilitation techniques.
Becoming a skilled physical therapist requires a solid educational foundation that aligns with the job’s requirements.
So, before exploring the specifics, let’s address the fundamental question: why does your choice of significance matter when pursuing a career in physical therapy?
Exploring the Best Majors for Physical Therapy
1. Biology
One of the most common majors for aspiring physical therapists is biology. This major comprehensively explains the human body’s anatomy, physiology, and biomechanics. With a biology degree, you’ll have a solid foundation to build upon during your graduate studies in physical therapy.
2. Kinesiology
Kinesiology is the study of human movement, making it an excellent choice for those pursuing a career in physical therapy. These major covers topic such as exercise science, motor control, and rehabilitation, which are highly relevant to the field.
Health sciences majors are designed to prepare students for careers in healthcare. This broad field encompasses anatomy, physiology, and healthcare administration courses, offering a versatile educational background for future physical therapists.
4. Exercise Science
As an exercise science major, you’ll gain in-depth knowledge of exercise physiology, biomechanics, and fitness assessment. These skills are directly applicable to the practice of physical therapy.
While less conventional, a psychology major can also be a valuable choice for physical therapy. Understanding the psychological aspects of injury and rehabilitation can be beneficial when working with patients.
FAQs
Can I major in any field and still become a physical therapist?
While some majors provide a more direct path, pursuing physical therapy with various undergraduate degrees is possible. However, prerequisites and additional coursework may be required.
How do I choose the right major for my goals?
Consider your interests, strengths, and the specific requirements of physical therapy programs. Research prospective majors and consult academic advisors for guidance.
Conclusion
FAQs
To qualify for the licensing exam required to become a PTA, you must have either an associate degree from an accredited PTA program or possess a bachelor's degree in kinesiology, exercise science, or a related field.
What is the best major for physical therapy? ›
5 Best Undergraduate Degrees for Physical Therapy
- Biology. Physical therapy requires knowledge of the human body, so it should be no surprise that biology is one of the best degrees to pursue when embarking on a physical therapy career. ...
- Kinesiology. ...
- Exercise Science. ...
- Psychology. ...
- Business.
To qualify for the licensing exam required to become a PTA, you must have either an associate degree from an accredited PTA program or possess a bachelor's degree in kinesiology, exercise science, or a related field.
What is the highest degree in physical therapy? ›
To practice as a physical therapist in the U.S., you must earn a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from a Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education-accredited physical therapist education program and pass a state licensure exam. The length of professional DPT programs is typically three years.
What field of physical therapy makes the most? ›
Let's break down some of the highest-paying specialties one-by-one.
- Neurology. ...
- Sports Medicine. ...
- Cardiovascular & Pulmonary. ...
- Geriatrics. ...
- Pediatric. ...
- Traveling PT. ...
- Acute Care. ...
- Orthopedic.
Health sciences majors are designed to prepare students for careers in healthcare. This broad field encompasses anatomy, physiology, and healthcare administration courses, offering a versatile educational background for future physical therapists.
Is kinesiology a hard major? ›
Kinesiology students must master skills like chemistry, physiology and data analysis. While earning a degree may be challenging and time-consuming, the benefits of higher pay and better job prospects outweigh the cost for many graduates.
Is kinesiology or exercise science better? ›
Exercise science and kinesiology programs can prepare students for similar careers, though some career pathways may prefer students take one or the other: for example, someone seeking a career in sports nutrition would get more out of an exercise science program than a kinesiology program, whereas someone looking to ...
Should PTA be a bachelor's degree? ›
All states require PTAs to have an Associate degree from an accredited program, according to the BLS. Earning a degree may sound daunting, but some PTA training can be completed in as few as 18 months.
Is PTA school harder than nursing? ›
Is it harder to become a nurse or physical therapist? It takes more education to become a physical therapist. PT students in the U.S. now must earn a doctoral degree, which takes about 7 years. Nurses may practice at much lower levels of education.
Physical Therapist Salary in Los Angeles, CA
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay |
|---|
| Top Earners | $130,917 | $10,909 |
| 75th Percentile | $115,800 | $9,650 |
| Average | $102,446 | $8,537 |
| 25th Percentile | $89,400 | $7,450 |
Common challenges for physical therapists include:
- Work-life balance.
- Compensation.
- Compassion fatigue.
- Physical strain.
- Documentation, documentation, and more documentation.
- Patients who expect miracles (and then skip their at-home exercises!)
PT school is definitely intense. The material isn't that hard, there is just a lot of it. It's a process and it will definitely challenge you, but I wouldn't be that stressed about it (at least not until you have to take boards). It really depends upon you background before PT school.
Where do physical therapists make the most money in the world? ›
El Centro, California
The city offers the highest salaries for physical therapists in the nation, and residents enjoy a lower cost of living compared to major cities such as Los Angeles.
Which type of therapist makes the most money? ›
Clinical psychology, psychiatry, and industrial-organizational psychology typically offer the highest earning potential in the field of psychology. However, income can vary based on factors like location and experience.
Where do physical therapist assistants make the most money? ›
Highest paying cities for Physical Therapist Assistants near United States
- Dallas, TX. $45.17 per hour. 156 salaries reported.
- Albuquerque, NM. $37.36 per hour. 68 salaries reported.
- San Antonio, TX. $37.31 per hour. 162 salaries reported.
- Houston, TX. $36.91 per hour. ...
- Fort Myers, FL. $35.96 per hour. ...
- Show more nearby cities.
The trophy for the best physical therapy school goes to the University of Southern California.
