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What schools have physical therapy/athletic training/sports medicine or anything like that as a major?

By Kmom (Kmom) on Friday, January 30, 2004 - 11:24 pm: Edit

The degrees and requirements for physical therapy and athletic training are different, though there are many people who earn both.

Physical therapy is now a post-baccalaureate entry-level degree - meaning you must complete a bachelors degree before going to a PT program for either a masters degree or clinical doctorate of physical therapy. You can access a list of programs, and information about careers in physical therapy, on the website of the American Physical Therapy Association, apta.org, under "Education". Admission to programs is competitive, and successful candidates typically have a strong college science background, and some volunteer work in physical therapy. However, it's not necessary to have a health science or sports medicine major as an undergraduate to be admitted to a PT program.

There are undergraduate programs in athletic training and sports medicine - most likely you can search for them on a site like Princeton Review.

I would suggest learning about the differences between the different fields and see where you think your interests might be. Your search for specific schools will then be easier.

If you have more specific questions, please ask!

By Emorystudent (Emorystudent) on Sunday, February 01, 2004 - 08:31 pm: Edit

I know all about graduate programs in physical therapy, and I know that's what I definitely want to do(with an emphasis on sports injuries). I just would like to do my undergrad somewhere where I could start learning about stuff related to physical therapy instead of majoring in a general science or other major and fulfilling the grad school requirements. Any suggestions of undergrad schools?

By Carolyn (Carolyn) on Sunday, February 01, 2004 - 09:01 pm: Edit

Try the information from the American Physical Therapist Association - http://www.apta.org/
In the education section you should find what you are looking for.

As for schools, Northeastern has a six year combined BS/graduate degree physical therapy program (includes co-op field experience) that lets you start taking PT-related courses from the start. Other schools with similar programs (usually five years): the University of Hartford, Pacific University (Oregon), The University of Scranton, Ithaca College, California State University - Fresno but I'm sure there are others.

By Ulvisgreat (Ulvisgreat) on Sunday, February 08, 2004 - 01:51 am: Edit

The University of La Verne in La Verne, California offers a bachelors of science in Athletic Training. http://www.ulv.edu/athletictraining/ .It was recently accreditted by the Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs.
Good Luck!

By Kmom (Kmom) on Sunday, February 08, 2004 - 11:38 am: Edit

Hello again - if you do a google search for "pre-physical therapy" you can get access many undergrad schools with pre-PT advisors, or concentations that might meet your needs.

What other factors are you interested in, like geographical location, size of school, public vs. private? That might help narrow the list.

By F3arxn03vil (F3arxn03vil) on Sunday, February 08, 2004 - 10:50 pm: Edit

emorystudent- I am also looking towards Physical Therapy with either a focus in sports or pediatrics, not too sure on that one yet. I am planning on either majoring in Exercise Physiology or Health and Movement Science either of which will be on the Pre-PT track. I have no interest in being a biology major, so I decided this would be the best track for me.

Many school offer athletic training, you just need to search for them based on what your looking for in a school. Keep in mind that the athletic training curriculum will not meet all the requirements for grad school!

By Mcreek05 (Mcreek05) on Tuesday, February 10, 2004 - 06:08 pm: Edit

University of Indianapolis has a really great physical therapy program