What Major is Physical Therapy?

If you are interested in becoming a physical therapist, you may be wondering, “What major do I need to be a physical therapist?” There are many excellent physical therapy programs available. There is no better time than now to work in physical therapy. The rising demand for physical therapy services is happening. It is in demand among aging baby boomers and patients with chronic conditions. Many physical therapy services are becoming increasingly accessible. This is due to federal health insurance reform. This reform has created a strong need for more medical professionals in rehabilitative programs. This will help patients improve their mobility and reduce pain.

Are you ready to take on the challenge of helping patients by treating their injuries and helping them improve their physical limitations? There are many ways of how to become employed in physical therapy. Continue reading and follow the step-by-step guide on what you need to do to go into this field and to answer the question, “What major do you need for physical therapy?”

What is a Physical Therapist?

Physical therapists treat patients with physical limitations due to:

injuries
illnesses
physical deformities

They work with patients of all ages who are often referred to them by other doctors. Physical therapists develop exercise plans. They recommend lifestyle adjustments and modifications to help their patients become healthier. The goal is to help patients reduce the need for prescription drugs, surgery, or more physical therapy.

After an initial evaluation, the physical therapist will treat the patient with a series of exercises and stretches. These exercises and stretches are often performed with various equipment. This makes it easier for the patients. A physical therapist has several tasks, including:

• Observe a patient and diagnose their condition and physical abilities
• Develop an individualized physical therapy program
• Monitor the patient’s progress in the program and make necessary changes
• Use therapeutic aids and supportive devices during the therapy session
• Create a plan the patient can use after the patient finishes the program

A physical therapist can practice general physical therapy. They can also specialize in treating patients in a particular field like:

pediatrics
sports
orthopedics
geriatrics
neurology

Can a Physical Therapist be a Contingent Worker?

Most physical therapists work in:

hospitals
nursing homes
rehabilitation facilities
senior and assisted living facilities
sports and fitness centers
medical clinics

If any of these organizations need an additional physical therapist but do not want to hire a permanent employee, then they can hire a physical therapist on a contingency basis.

A physical therapist works under a contingent contract temporarily for as long a necessary to complete the service. Services can last for a few weeks or a few months. Contingent work can be a way for a new employee in physical therapy to:

gain work experience
obtain job references
get paid

How Long Does It Take to Become a Physical Therapist?

What major would physical therapy fall under? Everyone needs to obtain an undergraduate degree. They also need to complete a graduate degree program in physical therapy to work in this field. It takes three to four years to earn an undergraduate degree. It takes an additional three years to complete a Ph.D. program in physical therapy. What major is physical therapy? Physical therapy students do not need to go to medical school.

The cost of this education will vary based on the college or university you attend. For example, attending public colleges and universities costs less than those that are private. Also, in-state tuition for a college or university costs less than the tuition for a school outside your home state.

How to Become a Physical Therapist

Before being admitted into a graduate program, aspiring physical therapists need to complete an accredited bachelor’s degree program in a relevant field of study. What major do you need to be a physical therapist? While there are no specific undergraduate major degree requirements, many physical therapists get a degree in:

biology
physiology
psychology
health science
kinesiology
exercise science

That will give you some options of what to major in to become a physical therapist.

Most doctoral programs will require a minimum GPA of 3.0 or higher. You must maintain a solid academic record throughout your studies. Outside of the classroom, you should take advantage of every opportunity to build relevant first-hand work experience in physical therapy. This first-hand work experience includes taking a part-time job, an internship, or a volunteer opportunity at:

medical clinics
nursing homes
retirement communities
rehabilitative health care facilities

You could begin volunteering as early as high school. Getting experience in athletic training is another good option.

Obtain a Doctoral Degree in Physical Therapy

To further develop as a knowledgeable practitioner of physical therapy, you will need to pursue graduate-level education. What major is physical therapy under? You need to obtain a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree. In the United States, all physical therapists must complete a program accredited through the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE).

For three to four years of advanced studies, doctoral students will acquire plenty of instruction in areas such as:

patient assessment
physical examination
prosthetics
orthopedics
medical screening
diagnostics
treatment planning

Some physical therapists will choose to participate in a 1,500-hour clinical residency program after graduation to gain extra practice under the supervision of licensed physical therapists, too.

Coursework in a DPT program for a physical therapy major will vary depending on the university you choose to attend. Here is a sample of some of the classes you will take in a DPT program:

• Functional Anatomy
• Foundations of Examinations and Foundations of Interventions
• Neuroscience in Rehabilitation
• Movement Science
• Management of Musculoskeletal Dysfunction
• Clinical Medicine and Pharmacology
• Prosthetics and Orthotics

There are also classes on examining, diagnosing, treating, and managing specific patient groups based on age or diagnosis. These patient groups include:

pediatric patients
elderly patients
cardiopulmonary dysfunction patients
neuromotor dysfunction patients

Obtain Physical Therapy Licensure and Certification

After completing an accredited physical therapy program, graduates in all states and U.S. territories must obtain a license to practice physical therapy. All physical therapy candidates must be able to pass the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE). The NPTE is a standardized exam that evaluates competency in the theories and practices of physical therapy.

It is also necessary for physical therapists to demonstrate their proficiency by obtaining certification through the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties (ABPTS). After receiving at least 2,000 hours of practice in a chosen specialty area, the board can certify a physical therapist to specialize in an area of physical therapy. Ten physical therapy specialties are recognized by the ABPTS. These specialties are:

• Cardiovascular and Pulmonary – Physical therapists who specialize in this area help patients heal and manage heart and lung conditions. These include heart attack recovery, recovery from open-heart surgery, or managing respiratory conditions like COPD.
• Geriatrics – This specialty focuses on helping elderly patients manage musculoskeletal conditions like arthritis or neurological disorders like Alzheimer’s Disease.
• Orthopaedics – This specialty focuses on treating patients with certain injuries or musculoskeletal disorders affecting their bones, muscles, tendons, joints, and ligaments.
• Neurology – Physical therapists who specialize in this area focus on helping patients with neurological disorders, injuries, or impairments. These neurological issues include Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease.
• Pediatrics – This specialty focuses on treating newborns to teenagers with genetic or other health issues that affect their quality of life. These issues include autism, cystic fibrosis, cerebral palsy, juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, and other conditions.
• Oncology – An oncology physical therapist treats patients who are receiving treatment for cancer or are recovering from cancer. They help these patients deal with weakness, chronic pain, and loss of bone density.
• Women’s Health – Physical therapists in this relatively new specialty help women of all ages with pregnancy, menopause, pelvic pain, incontinence, and other physical issues affecting women.
• Electrophysiology – This specialty is another relatively new field where the physical therapist treats patients with nerve and muscle damage wounds and compromised skin issues.
• Sports – Physical therapists in this specialty work with amateur and professional athletes by providing them with injury treatments and rehabilitative services.
• Wound Management – This specialty will become board certifiable in 2022. Physical therapists in this specialty will treat deep and superficial wounds. The wound management specialty requirements and objectives are still under development.

Specializing in one or more areas of physical therapy allows you to:

demonstrate your expertise
enhance your credentials
open more employment opportunities

Before you start the certification process in a specialty, be sure you understand the requirements. Each physical therapy specialty has unique requirements. They all require at least 2,000 hours of direct patient care in the specific specialty within the last ten years.

You can also choose to go into a residency or fellowship program. A clinical residency program allows a physical therapist to receive clinical supervision and mentoring within a defined area of physical therapy. A clinical fellowship occurs after a residency. It is designed to provide additional clinical experience in a physical therapy specialty.

Job Outlook for Physical Therapists

The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that the employment of physical therapists will skyrocket faster than other healthcare professions by 21%. There will be 15,600 new jobs each year before 2030. The median annual salary of a physical therapist is $95,620, according to the BLS. Physical therapists who work in home healthcare services have the highest median annual salary of $99,800. The highest-earning physical therapists can earn up to $127,110.

There is a strong demand for physical therapists. This demand will continue every year over the next ten years. The aging baby boomer population continues to grow. The number of people with chronic health conditions related to obesity also continues to rise. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, over 15,000 job openings in physical therapy are expected each year for the next ten years.

Conclusion

To become a physical therapist what should I major in? What do physical therapists major in? Physical therapy is an ideal career path for you if you:

want to become employed in the healthcare field
have a desire to help others
have the resourcefulness to customize individual treatment plans
possess the stamina to provide therapeutic exercises

When you follow these steps to join the workforce in physical therapy, you will earn the credentials you need to make a positive difference in improving the quality of life of your patients by helping them move better and eliminating their pain. Now that you know the answer to, “What major does physical therapy fall under,” you will be ready to start your journey as a physical therapist major.

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