Yloza2013
What major is best to become a sports physical therapist?
I am currently a high school senior and am interested in becoming a sports physical therapist. After researching, I have noticed there are multiple majors a person could take to become a physical therapist; however, I would like to know which major is best to continue into the path of becoming a physical therapist. #medicine #sports #physical-therapist
2 answers
Dan Tahany
Dan’s Answer
A person can become a physical therapist after majoring in just about anything as an undergrad. What's important to do as an undergrad is to take all of the prerequisite courses you need to get into a physical therapy program.
Once you're in a physical therapy program you will take a set curriculum to become a licensed physical therapist. During your clinical rotations and after you graduate is where you will specialize in sports physical therapy. This is largely based on the setting you work in vs. Your degree/schooling.
Some students may also: complete a sports physical therapy fellowship, pursue a degree in athletic training, become a Sports Certified Specialist (SCS) through the APTA, become an Orthopedic Certified Specialist (OCS) through the APTA, or become a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) through the NSCA to enhance their sports credentials.
Hi! my son is a senior in high school too. He wants to play college baseball,and he too is very interested in pt esp In sports / athletes etc. Is that the same as a pt? Also, he knows it will be so hard esp with baseball, so I was wondering the same. he doesn't know if he can do Kinesiology . He would do like the above. How would he know which ones prerequisite courses you need to get into a physical therapy program. tks
cindy
John Vu
John’s Answer
When I went to my college at Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo, the one major that will make you an excellent sports physical therapist is a major in Kinesiology (http://kinesiology.calpoly.edu). I will confess, I admire the students who study that major because they know the names of EVERY muscle, bone, and even a speck on a bone to understand why it's there, how it functions, and how you can benefit it. PLUS, they work out a lot so you're always going to be FIT! :)
I bet you will get better answers but here's mine for now. :)