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Department
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Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy |
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The American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) home page. Physical Therapy Graduate Schools by
state . American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) web page . Occupational Therapy Graduate Programs At |
PHYSICAL THERAPY - Physical Therapists plan, organize, and administer
treatment based on knowledge of each patient's condition, in order to restore
functional mobility, relieve pain, and prevent or limit permanent disability
for those suffering from a disabling injury or disease. Their patients vary in
age from the newborn to the elderly and may include accident or stroke victims
or handicapped individuals. Among the conditions likely to require treatment by
physical therapists are: multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, nerve injuries,
amputations, fractures, arthritis, and heart disease. Physical Therapy (PT)
specialty areas include pediatrics, geriatric, orthopedics, sports medicine,
neurology, and cardiopulmonary physical therapy.
CERTIFICATION - Some students seek a BS degree in physical therapy, but the
main pathway for practicing as a Physical Therapist is to gain a BA or BS
degree (usually in biology) and enter a master's degree program in PT. While in
College, fulfill all prerequisites for the PT schools you will apply to. It is
possible for you to become certified as an ATHLETIC TRAINER by working with a
certified trainer for at least two years. Some SJC students do this while
also taking our Physical Therapy track courses. You can also become an
athletic trainer during or after completion of an approved physical therapy
program. However an athletic trainer cannot become a physical therapist without
finishing an approved physical therapy program. For more
information click here.
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS (PREREQUISITES) - Physical Therapy Schools have
differing admission requirements. This means students should CONTACT
PHYSICAL THERAPY SCHOOLS IN THE FRESHMAN YEAR in order to find out their
prerequisites. Click
here to get a list of Physical therapy schools by state.
OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY - Occupational therapists treat people who have
permanent mental, physical, developmental, or emotional disabilities. They
employ a variety of techniques designed to help individuals develop or maintain
daily living skills. This allows people to function in spite of their handicap
(e.g. tying shoes with only one hand or cooking despite partial paralysis). The
result is not a physical "cure", but it gives great happiness and
fulfillment to the person who can function again. Ability to work independently
and good people skills are needed to help you work with patients. You must be
strong physically and emotionally for this demanding job.
Inside Track: Jobs have opened up for occupational therapists because of the
aging of the population. The anticipated growth in rehabilitation services is a
reflection of the increase of Americans who statistically are more vulnerable
to heart disease and strokes. Occupational therapists tend to work with a
particular disability or age group. Most jobs will be in hospitals that are
adding rehabilitation centers, and in hospital subsidiaries such as home health
care, rehabilitation programs and outpatient clinics. Schools will be the
second largest employer. Some Occupational Therapists have independent
practices to provide follow-up services to long-term patients recently released
from hospitals. Occupational therapists will become consultants to businesses
with disabled workers and in university research labs.
CERTIFICATION - Preparation for this field requires at least two years in a
college liberal arts program. Most programs now PREFER that you get a four-year
bachelor degree in biology, biology-chemistry or pre-occupational therapy. You
then get a Master's Degree in Occupational Therapy or a post baccalaureate
certificate. Ultimately you must be licensed by the state to help disabled
people and obtain national certification as a registered occupational
therapist. This is awarded by the American Occupational Therapy Certification
Board. For more information click
here.
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS (PREREQUISITES) - Occupational Therapy Schools have
differing admission requirements. This means students should CONTACT
OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY SCHOOLS IN THE FRESHMAN YEAR. Look here for
information on Occupational Therapy Graduate
Programs
Here is a typical example of prerequisites for entry into Physical or
Occupational Therapy programs: NOTE this is just an example, courses you
need MAY DIFFER from this example) :
1. Have a bachelors degree
2. Have an overall GPA minimum of 3.2 and average of 3.5 (on a 4.0 scale),
while the math and science prerequisite courses GPA is a minimum 3.2, average
3.5 on a 4.0 scale. For
3. Have the following prerequisite courses (they do not accept "P" or
"D" grades):
BIOLOGY - MUST HAVE at least 16hrs including: 4h general
bio, 4h anatomy or CVA, 4h physiology
CHEMISTRY - MUST HAVE at least 8hrs including one semester of general and
organic chemistry with biochemistry recommended
ENGLISH -- 6 semester hours Composition/Writing, Speech
PHYSICS total hrs 8h of intro physics
MATH must have calculus and statistics
PSYCHOLOGY at least one course in general psych, most schools want you to take
several courses
ART – usually only for Occupational Therapy
CPR & FIRST AID – sometimes recommended but not
required
DOCUMENTED experience. Schools want you to have spent time working with or
observing therapists. The amount of time they want you to spend varies with
each school.
SJC MAJOR for PRE-PHYSICAL or PRE-OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY
MAJOR - You will major in "Biology" but concentrate on
courses preparing for the Master’s Program.
1. 36 hours of biology
credits including: 8 h of Intro. Bio., 6h *Human
anatomy and physiology*, 4 h genetics, 4h Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy
(recommend course: Human medical physiology)
*HAP (or A&P) can only count
for biology credit if you also take CVA & HMP - many Physical Therapy
schools do not accept CVA for their anatomy requirement without HAP
2. Chemistry requirements: 8
h general chemistry, 8h organic chemistry and 4h biochemistry
3. Physics requirements - two semesters of Introductory
physics (Note: if you did not have calculus in High School you must take it
before taking Physics)
- Health Therapy Minor. This minor is available for those
interested in Physical or Occupational Therapy. You must take 18 hours from the
following areas: (no more than 6hrs from any one area count toward the minor)
Psychology, (general, abnormal, human growth and development), Statistics,
Sociology, Art and handicrafts, Physical Education (kinesiology, athletic
training), Mathematics (calculus).
Another option for your minor at
Athletic Training
Minor. This is the simpler minor and is a realistic selection for
students with a B average in the sciences.
The courses you must have are: PE 327_Physiology of exercise, PE
328_Therapeutic modalities, PE 323_Advanced athletic training, PE 221
Kinesiology, PE 222_Basic athletic training, PE 223_CPR, PE 224_Red Cross, PE
250_ Concepts of fitness plus Bio 121 & 122 Human Anatomy & Physiology
(which count as Biology credit)
FIELD EXPERIENCE: Most Physical
therapy Schools want you to have significant actual experience in Physical
therapy. It is up to YOU to arrange
field experience with licensed Physical Therapists. We can help, especially
with gaining experience in our town. Our majors have often helped with
procedures at the Jasper County Hospital Physical Therapy Department and
received Independent Study credit as well as hours of experience. Other
students have found summer jobs as therapists, thus getting paid as they gained
experience. Schools usually desire that
you spend at least 60 hrs with accredited therapists. Freshman year is a good time to start –
do NOT wait until your senior year
A Possible Schedule at SJC – Go to this web page for advice
on scheduling your classes here at
Physical
Therapy Schools - There are several programs in
Occupational Therapy Schools-
You can find out about each school’s entrance requirements, programs,
costs etc. over the internet.