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Is an associates degree in biology able to transfer into a physical therapy program at a university?

I’ll be starting at my local community college in the fall and want to make sure that I’m on the right path as to where to go after this. I plan on becoming a physical therapist and my dream would be to work with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome Hypermobility patients like myself, and other hypermobility syndromes, focussing on joint protection. #physicaltherapy #physical-therapist #medicine #ehlersdanlossyndrome #hypermobility #physical-therapy

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Richard’s Answer

In the US, physical therapy programs require a bachelors degree. Although any major is acceptable, the American Physical Therapy Association
lists the following prerequisites:

Anatomy / A&P 1 with lab
Physiology / A&P 2 with lab
Biology 1 (not botany or zoology)
Biology 2 (not botany or zoology)
General Chemistry 1 with lab
General Chemistry 2 with lab
General Physics 1 with lab
General Physics 2 with lab
Psychology
Statistics

Good luck with pursuing your dream!
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Shannon’s Answer

every school is different. maybe pick 5 PT schools now that you'd like to attend. take as many required courses in undergrad as you can. that shouldn't be hard since the admission requirements will be similar. you'll be prepared for any of those 5 when they're fighting over who gets to have you. do summer internships or volunteer in a hospital/nursing home if you can. see if you can find some extracurriculars too - for example i bike ride as a volunteer with people who need custom-outfitted bikes (people who are missing a hand etc). whatever you're capable of doing, see if it happens where you can contribute. maybe google 'adaptive'. maybe you already know whom to call. anyway you're going to change the world for people with the same issues you have. rock on.
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David’s Answer

Since you are starting at a community college which is a good idea and gradually move on and get in PT school, I would follow the curriculum to get into PT school, you can ask your school counselor or adviser to list out all the courses you need from CC or see if the school offer a program were you take some courses at cc and then link to some college were can lead to completing your Bachelor degree or has a PT school program.
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Rachel’s Answer

You'll have to check with the university, but most credits from a community college should transfer to a 4 year university without issue.
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Rebekah’s Answer

Your associate will help you to get your bachelor degree. Majority if not all 4 year institutions that offer PT are Pre-PT programs. This means that all sciences you took whether in your associate degree or within the school you transfer too will help you to apply to graduate school. Check out the requirements for the colleges that you plan to attend once you graduate from your university. This will help to guide you when it comes time to decide which schools you want to transfer to as well as which major you can pick. A biology degree will help you to take most of those sciences and so would an exercise science degree for example.
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Jordan’s Answer

Hey Jersey,

I'm currently a third year occupational therapy student but I believe the OT and PT have the same process of getting accepted into school. You would most likely need to first get a bachelor's degree in essentially anything while also completing the prerequisites required by the desired graduate school. So yes, an associates degree is a great place to start, followed by the bachelor's degree and prerequisites. Every school is different so do your research!

Best of luck!
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Emma’s Answer

Transferring from an associate's degree program in biology to a physical therapy program at a university is possible, but it requires careful planning and meeting specific requirements. To make this transition, you should research the prerequisites for the physical therapy programs you're interested in and ensure that your associate's degree program includes coursework in biology, chemistry, physics, anatomy, and physiology, as these are typically required prerequisites. Contact the universities you plan to attend to verify which credits from your associate's degree can be transferred, and be prepared to complete any missing prerequisites at the university level.

Maintaining a strong GPA in your associate's degree program is crucial, as competitive physical therapy programs often have stringent GPA requirements for admission. Engaging in extracurricular activities related to healthcare or physical therapy, volunteering or working in clinical settings, and shadowing physical therapists can strengthen your application. Additionally, check if standardized tests like the GRE are required for admission and be prepared to take them if necessary. Keep in mind that, in most cases, you'll need to earn a bachelor's degree before entering a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program, so consider continuing your education to meet this requirement. Overall, it's important to contact the specific physical therapy programs you're interested in to understand their transfer requirements and seek tailored guidance from the universities to navigate the transfer process successfully.
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Cathy’s Answer

No. You cannot directly get into PT school without first having your 4 year Bachelor's degree first, then you can apply for the PT doctoral program. You can start with a 2 yr degree and transfer to a school to get your 4 yr Bachelors degree (which can actually be in anything you want as long as you meet the PT school's class requirements)
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