Bachelors in biology degree leads to strong foundation for career in physical therapy
One of the many careers that a bachelor’s degree in biology builds a strong foundation for is Physical Therapy.
Reports show that every year up to 77 percent of people in the U.S. experience musculoskeletal injuries — conditions that can greatly benefit from seeing a physical therapist.
Increasing musculoskeletal injuries in combination with a growing number of sports and recreational-related injuries and geriatric and post-surgery patient populations in need of rehabilitation and therapy treatments leads to a great need for more professionals working in the field of physical therapy.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, physical therapy jobs are projected to grow by 34 percent before the year 2024, with an estimated annual wage of $87,220.
More than just a promising outlook and high annual salary, those pursuing a career in physical therapy can look forward to high job satisfaction.
A survey by Payscale asked people in over 500 unique job titles how meaningful they felt their profession was. Physical therapy tied for seventh out of 500 in a list of most meaningful jobs, indicating that 90 percent of physical therapists reported feeling that their job “made the world a better place.”
Through classes like Human Anatomy and Physiology I and II, focusing on the physiology and the structure and function of the nervous, endocrine, musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, circulatory, special sensory systems and beyond, William Woods biology students begin to build a strong foundation to base future studies in physical therapy on.
Those interested in pursuing higher education for physical therapy can also choose the biology concentration in Pre-Medicine — a track many William Woods alumni took before going on to pursue careers in physical therapy and other fields of health and medicine.