If you love science and want to help people recover from injuries, a Movement and Rehabilitation degree might be the perfect place to start.
It can set you up for graduate school in Physical Therapy (PT) or Occupational Therapy (OT), two careers focused on helping people move better and live more comfortably after an injury or illness.
What You'll Study
This degree is all about how the body moves and heals. Coursework includes topics such as:
- How the body is built and how it works (anatomy and physiology)
- How we move and why, including what muscles and joints do during everyday activities (kinesiology and biomechanics)
- How exercise affects the body and helps people recover
Most classes include hands-on lab time, and the program offers internships where you can practice real skills before graduate school.
What PT and OT Schools Look For
PT and OT graduate programs accept students from lots of different majors, but most programs want to see:
- Specific science classes including biology, chemistry, anatomy, physiology, and sometimes physics or statistics
- Good grades, especially in those science classes
- Real experience, like shadowing a physical therapist or volunteering at a clinic
- Involvement outside of class, like community service or leadership
A Movement and Rehabilitation degree can help you meet many of those requirements, but make sure to look up the specific requirements for each program you're interested in, since they can vary.
How to Stay on Track
The earlier you start planning, the better. Here are three simple steps:
- Look up PT or OT programs you're interested in and check their requirements
- Keep your grades up, especially in science
- Get experience by shadowing, volunteering, or interning in a healthcare setting
The Health Professions at BYU-Idaho can help you figure out which classes to take, make sure you're meeting program requirements, and walk you through the application process. You can also call to schedule an appointment: (208) 496-9800.
Sources
- BYU‑Idaho Department of Human Performance and Recreation: Human Performance and Recreation Programs
- BYU‑Idaho Pre‑Physical Therapy Advising: Pre-PT/OT Information
- BYU-Idaho Pre-Occupational Therapy Advising: Pre-OT Information