Physical Therapy

A major in physical therapy is designed to equip students with the skills and knowledge they will need to help injured or disabled individuals gain back all or some of their ability to move and function. Much of the coursework is hands-on and clinical, but the curriculum is also very science-heavy, helping students gain a scientific understanding of the complex human body. Clinical courses allow students to put what they learn in the classroom to use in real life as they assess and supervise clients, working with different age groups. Courses you may encounter in a physical therapy major include: anatomy & physiology; biology; physics; orthopedic physical therapy; pediatric/geriatric physical therapy; professional standards and ethics; and principles of human movement.

If you are interested in science and health care, and have a strong desire to help people recover from an injury or illness, you may want to consider majoring in physical therapy. It is also a good major to choose if you want good employment opportunities after graduation. After all, employment of physical therapists is expected to grow by 30 percent between 2008 and 2018, according to U.S. labor statistics. Physical therapists can also choose to specialize in a certain area. They may choose to work in pediatrics or with people who have developmental disabilities. Other specializations include gerontology or sports injuries.