Saturday, Sept. 20, 2008

What do physical therapists do?

What can I do to help me learn more about physical therapy?

What high school courses should I take in preparation for physical therapy?

How long does it take to become a physical therapist?

What type of courses should I take in college?

Can I major in pre-physical therapy?

What are the most common majors selected by pre-physical therapy students?

How do the prerequisites for the physical therapy program fit into different majors?

Can I enter physical therapy school after only three years of undergraduate study?

Why a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree instead of a master's degree?

How competitive is admission to the physical therapy program?

What makes the University of Indianapolis attractive to undergraduate students interested in physical therapy?

What are some of the strengths of your program?

I'm still interested in physical therapy, what are my next steps?

What type of courses should I take in college?

Preparation for physical therapy school requires three types of courses at the college level: general education courses, courses within your chosen major, and prerequisites.

       General education courses are required of all undergraduate students. These courses ensure that students have a base of general knowledge across many disciplines and that they have the critical analysis and communication skills needed for success in any profession, including physical therapy.

       Courses in the chosen major are required of all undergraduate students. Majors are designed to ensure that students graduate with specialized knowledge and skills in the major area. Although some majors seem to "fit" with the interests of pre-physical therapy students better than others, pre-physical therapy students may major in any subject. Students have been admitted to the physical therapy program with majors that range from philosophy and religion to chemistry and biology.

       Successful completion of a set of prerequisite courses (for example, chemistry, biology, physics, behavioral sciences, statistics, and English composition) is required of all applicants to the physical therapy program. Prerequisite courses ensure that physical therapy students enter the program with the foundation knowledge needed for success in physical therapy courses.

Can I major in pre-physical therapy?

At the University of Indianapolis, students can be identified as "pre-PT" for advising purposes, but still need to choose a major in a recognized discipline.

       We believe that working toward a major in a recognized discipline is more useful than a "pre-major" (such as pre-PT, pre-medical, pre-law). Having a pre-major is a disadvantage if a student changes his or her mind about an area of interest. Imagine that you earned a pre-PT major but then decided not to apply to PT school. For the rest of your career your resume would list "pre-PT" as your major and prospective employers would get the impression that you started something that you didn't finish. Instead, preparing for PT school by working within the structure of a traditional major will serve you well in a variety of careers.

What are the most common majors selected by pre-physical therapy students?

Although pre-PT students can choose any major they wish, the most common majors for University of Indianapolis pre-PT students are Biology, Human Biology, Athletic Training, and Psychology.

NEXT:  How do the prerequisites for the physical therapy program fit into different majors?