What Should I Major in if I’m Interested in Physical Therapy, Athletic Training or Occupational Therapy?

What Should I Major in if I’m Interested in Physical Therapy, Athletic Training or Occupational Therapy?

If you know you want a career where you can help people improve their health, movement, or quality of life, you may be considering physical therapy, athletic training, or occupational therapy. But before you can pursue one of these careers, you may be wondering: What should I major in?

There is no single undergraduate major that is required for every one of these career paths. Your best choice depends on the profession you are interested in and your plans after college. For many students, however, Exercise Science is a great place to start.

At Marywood University, Exercise Science gives students a foundation in the science of human movement while allowing them to explore careers in healthcare, wellness, fitness, rehabilitation, and related fields. For students who plan to continue on to graduate or professional school, the major can also provide a strong foundation for their next step.

What Is Exercise Science?
Exercise Science focuses on how the human body moves and responds to physical activity and exercise. Students study topics related to anatomy, physiology, biomechanics, fitness, and human performance while developing an understanding of how exercise and movement can affect health.

That makes Exercise Science a natural fit for students who are interested in the human body but also want to work directly with people.
It can also be a good choice if you are entering college knowing you want to work in a health-related field but are still deciding exactly what that career will look like.

Is Exercise Science a Good Major for Physical Therapy?
For students interested in becoming physical therapists, Exercise Science can be an excellent undergraduate major.
Physical therapists help people improve their movement and function, recover from injuries, manage pain, and return to the activities that are important to them. Becoming a physical therapist requires graduate-level education through a Doctor of Physical Therapy program after completing undergraduate study.

An Exercise Science major can help students build a foundation in areas that are important to physical therapy, including human anatomy, physiology, exercise, and movement.

At Marywood, students can continue their education through the Doctor of Physical Therapy program after completing their undergraduate studies. This gives students interested in physical therapy the opportunity to explore the field as an undergraduate and continue into professional preparation at Marywood.

What Should I Major in if I Want to Become an Athletic Trainer?
If you enjoy sports and are interested in injury prevention, rehabilitation, and helping athletes perform at their best, you may be considering athletic training.

Athletic trainers are health care professionals who work with athletes and other physically active individuals. Their work can include injury prevention, evaluation, treatment, and rehabilitation.

Exercise Science can be a strong undergraduate foundation for students interested in this career. The major gives students an understanding of the human body, exercise, movement, and physical performance that can be valuable as they pursue additional education and professional opportunities in athletic training.

When choosing an undergraduate program, it is also important to look at the requirements of the athletic training program you plan to pursue after graduation. Different programs may have specific prerequisite courses, so students should work with their academic advisors to make sure they are taking the courses they need.

Can I Major in Exercise Science Before Becoming an Occupational Therapist?
Yes. Exercise Science can also be a good undergraduate option for students interested in occupational therapy.

Occupational therapists help people participate in the everyday activities that matter to them. They may work with individuals recovering from an injury or illness, people with disabilities, older adults, or children who need support developing certain skills.

Because Exercise Science focuses on the human body and movement, it can provide useful preparation for students who plan to continue their education in occupational therapy.
Marywood students can pursue a Master of Occupational Therapy after completing their undergraduate education. If occupational therapy is your goal, it is important to work with an advisor to make sure your undergraduate coursework meets the prerequisites for the graduate program.

What Other Majors Can Lead to These Careers?
Exercise Science is not the only major that can prepare students for careers in physical therapy, athletic training, or occupational therapy.

Depending on your goals, other health and science-related majors may also be options. What matters most is making sure your undergraduate coursework gives you the foundation you need and meets the prerequisite requirements for the graduate or professional program you plan to enter.

This is one reason it can be helpful to choose a university where you can talk with faculty and advisors about your long-term plans. Your interests may change once you begin taking classes and gaining hands-on experience, and your academic path can change with them.

Why Choose Exercise Science at Marywood?
If you are interested in physical therapy, athletic training, occupational therapy, or another career focused on health and human movement, Exercise Science can give you the flexibility to explore your options while building a strong foundation in the field.
At Marywood, students can learn about the science behind movement and exercise while gaining experience that can help them understand where they want to take their education next. Whether your goal is graduate school, professional school, or a career in exercise and wellness, the major can help you build the knowledge and skills to move forward.

You do not have to know exactly what your career will look like on your first day of college. You just need a place to start.

Interested in a career focused on movement, health, and helping others? Explore Exercise Science at Marywood University and see where it can take you.