I’m in college right now, a liberal arts major and I’m switching to become a physical therapist. I’m going to change my major to science and plan on changing schools as well. I’m looking at different schools and what their prerequisites are about PT.
I’m kind of lost as to what to do next should I get my bachelors in science then get into a MPT program or what?
Anyone who can help I’ll highly appreciate it!
#1 by Anonymous on February 25, 2010 - 10:57 am
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First visit the APTA website (professional organization)http://www.apta.org/AM/Template.cfm?Sect…http://www.apta.org/AM/Template.cfm?Sect…http://www.apta.org/AM/Template.cfm?sect…
First volunteer in a PT department. It is required of most PT schools anyway. Take the required pre reqs. I have included the link. Take the GRE if needed. Apply to PT Schools. I have included the link. The majority of PT schools (98 percent) are DPT programs not MPT. All are in the process of transfering over. All the programs near NY and in NY are DPT programs. Here are the schools in NY offering PT.
Clarkson University
College of Staten Island/The Graduate Center (CUNY)
Columbia University
D’Youville College
Daemen College
Dominican College of Blauvelt
Hunter College/The Graduate Center (CUNY)
Ithaca College
Long Island University – Brooklyn Campus
Mercy College
Nazareth College
New York Institute of Technology
New York Medical College
New York University
State University of New York Downstate Medical Center
State University of New York Upstate Medical
Stony Brook University
The Sage Colleges
Touro College
University at Buffalo, State University of New York Utica College
Once in the program, you complete the program, then you take your boards and pay NYS the money to get lisc in NY
Please email me if you have any more questions
Best wishes
Additional visits–As of today, there are only 13 our of 200 programs in the US that offer an MPT. They are
Arkansas
Arkansas State University (A4, D5, E5, F1, PU)
California
California State University, Fresno (A4, D5, F1, PU)
California State University, Long Beach (A4, D5, F1, PU)
California State University, Northridge (A4, D5, F1, PU)
California State University, Sacramento (A4, D5, F1, PU)
Loma Linda University (A6, D5, D6, E5, F1, PR)
University of California, San Francisco/San Francisco State University (A4, D5, F1, PU)
Illinois
Northern Illinois University (D5, F1, PU)
North Carolina
Western Carolina University (A4, D5, F1, PU)
Winston-Salem State University (A4, D5, F1, PU)
Puerto Rico
University of Puerto Rico – Medical Sciences Campus (A4, D5, F1, F6, PU)
Texas
University of Texas at El Paso (D5, F1, PU)
#2 by Anna A on February 25, 2010 - 4:17 pm
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You need to earn degree in physical therapy. For your reference I am forwarding you the website link that will give you information about the degree requirements for physical therapy. The link is
#3 by Dave Loreto on February 25, 2010 - 5:25 pm
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I work in Admissions at D’Youville College, and Physical Therapy is one of our top programs, so I thought I would provide some insights here.
At DYC, there are 3 undergraduate programs which lead to direct entry in our graduate DPT program. You can major in Biology, Exercise and Sports Science, or Health Services Management. We do not require the GREs for admission to our graduate program as long as you maintain a 3.0 in your program.
It may make sense for you to complete your bachelors (and pre-reqs) at your current school OR transfer to a school which offers PT and complete both your bachelors and DPT at the new institution, but it really depends on your situation.
What is your academic level? Are you a sophomore, junior, or senior? How close are you to completing a bachelor’s degree? If you need assistance picking out prerequisite science courses that would meet graduate admission requirements, we have transfer counselors who can help you.
#4 by Sarah P on February 25, 2010 - 9:50 pm
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In order to work as a physical therapist, one must first graduate from a physical therapist educational program with a master’s or doctoral degree. Coursework includes biology, chemistry, and physics, as well as specialized courses such as biomechanics, neuroanatomy, human growth and development, manifestations of disease, examination techniques, and therapeutic procedures.
According to the American Physical Therapy Association, there were 209 accredited physical therapist education programs in 2007. Of the accredited programs, 43 offered master’s degrees and 166 offered doctoral degrees. Only master’s degree and doctoral degree programs are accredited, in accordance with the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education. In the future, a doctoral degree might be the required entry-level degree. Master’s degree programs typically last 2 years, and doctoral degree programs last 3 years.
Physical therapist education programs start with basic science courses such as biology, chemistry, and physics and then introduce specialized courses, including biomechanics, neuroanatomy, human growth and development, manifestations of disease, examination techniques, and therapeutic procedures. Besides getting classroom and laboratory instruction, students receive supervised clinical experience.
Among the undergraduate courses that are useful when one applies to a physical therapist education program are anatomy, biology, chemistry, social science, mathematics, and physics. Before granting admission, many programs require volunteer experience in the physical therapy department of a hospital or clinic. For high school students, volunteering with the school athletic trainer is a good way to gain experience.
Licensure. All States require physical therapists to pass national and State licensure exams before they can practice. They must also graduate from an accredited physical therapist education program.
Other qualifications. Physical therapists should have strong interpersonal skills so that they can educate patients about their physical therapy treatments and communicate with patients’ families. Physical therapists also should be compassionate and possess a desire to help patients.
Advancement. Physical therapists are expected to continue their professional development by participating in continuing education courses and workshops. In fact, a number of States require continuing education as a condition of maintaining licensure.
Hope this helps.