Help Choosing an Area of Study When My Major Is Physical Therapy.?

by Chris Olson (illustrator, writer, blogger)

Question by not sure: Help choosing an area of study when my major is Physical Therapy.?
I am attending NIU which is in Illinois, and i am majoring in pre-physical therapy as a sophomore right now. The program here is really difficult to get into, and i was told to choose an area of study to persue incase i dont get into the program. Im really interested in not only physical therapy but kinesiology as well…is it possible to have that as my minor at the same time or would it be too much work? I was also wondering, when i apply for the program my junior year, is it reccomended to apply to other schools at the same time, or wait until i graduate with a degree in something first? Ive asked so many people and even the advisors are very unhelpful about this situation.

Best answer:

Answer by mistify
The way NIU does their program is a little different than some other colleges in the area who require you to get your BS prior to entering the program (these are mostly DPT programs). Since, the “pre-physical therapy” course does not result directly in a degree, it leaves students without many options if they do not make it into the program. Therefore, some students seek to actually obtain a degree, or at least make progress towards a degree program. The difficulty is, the prerequisites for the PT program do not necessarily lead towards any specific degree emphasis since the coursework is so diverse.

I think if you want to persue a BS, the kinsiology program is an excellent choice. Many of the courses that are required for PT are required for kinesiology including PSYC 102, math 155 or 229, BIOS 357, etc. What will be interesting is if they will make you take chem 110 (since I’m guessing you’ve already taken 210 and 211).

However, if you do change to a degreed major, there is no doubt that it might take you longer to complete the BS if you don’t make it into the professional phase of the PT program. I don’t think you can take kinesiology as a minor, but this would best be directed to someone in that college…I think it is only offered as a major.

Yet, here is some other advice, if you are fairly confident in your academic performance, there is a very good chance you will be admitted into the program…especially if you have a good interview and writing sample. In this case, you could probably still stay on the pre-PT track, but I would still apply to other schools where you would be eligible after your junior year (there aren’t many that allow you to apply this early, so it might be better just to wait).

At the very least, I think changing to kinesiology might be a good option…especially if your academic performance is a little shaky. Focus on the PT prereqs at this time and take a few of the “easier” KNPE courses such as intro to aquatic fitness (if it’s open to you) on the side. At the very least, if you do not make it into the PT program, you can return your senior year to continue more of the kinesiology courses and you can continue to work on your PT application and apply the following year. At the worst case scenario, it might take you five years to complete your BS, but then you would still be eligible to apply again to NIUs PT program; and also to DPT programs since you will have your degree.

Changing your major to kinesiology would allow you to still take the PT prerequisites, but allow you to persue the kinesiology degree should you not make it in (it will just take longer).

What do you think? Answer below!

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