THE PATH TO PT: WHERE TO START

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By Rhyan Caruso

The first actionable step to starting the path to becoming a physical therapist is to choose the right undergraduate major to complete the required courses. Common majors a pre-PT student might choose include Exercise Science (my own), Biology, Kinesiology, to name a few, but the main thing that matters is that you complete the required pre-requisite classes that are offered by the programs you are applying to. You can find what these pre-requisites are by searching the specific programs online, but if you complete these courses listed you will have fulfilled the pre-requisite requirements for a majority of PT schools: Anatomy, Biology, Physiology, Chemistry, Exercise Physiology, a Developmental Psychology, a General Psychology, Physics, Statistics, and Medical Terminology. Some schools may require more, some may require less, so be sure to pay attention what classes you need for the specific school’s you’re applying to when it’s time. The next step is to begin shadowing opportunities as early as possible!!! Observation hours are another requirement for most PT schools, ranging usually between 40-80 observation hours depending on the schools. Some schools require none, others require a certain amount for different settings, such as 20 hours in an inpatient rehab setting and 20 hours in an outpatient rehab setting. Make sure you review the specific requirements for each school you are planning on applying to ahead of time. I would recommend getting your observation hours in a variety of different settings, as variability and experience in multiple PT settings will prove great value and commitment to not only the profession, but to the PT schools as well.

3 Bare Minimum Steps to Start Your Own Path to PT Overview:

1.) Choose the right major.

2.) Create a plan to complete all required pre-requisites.

3.) Begin shadowing.

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