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Student exercising in a gym.

Health Sciences – Physical Therapy

​​​​​​Have you ever had a sprain, or needed to wear a cast? Maybe you noticed it was difficult to regain your full mobility, even after it healed. Why does that happen? Studying Physical Therapy at McDaniel will show you how certain conditions affects mobility and how to assist in patient recovery.

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Degree Types
Major, Specialization
Institution
Complementary Programs
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Distinctive Requirements
Capstone
Document
Professional Development

The Physical Therapy specialization in the Health Sciences major at McDaniel will transform you into the care provider you dream of becoming. It is an opportunity to pursue studies in foundational health subjects, like chemistry, anatomy and physiology, and physical therapeutics. Students with plans to pursue careers in physical therapy will find their ideal experiential education through this specialization.

Guidance for Graduate School

McDaniel students have gone on to graduate and professional programs in allied health fields. Allied health advising can begin as early as the first semester on campus or whenever a student first decides to pursue a health-related career. Advisors work individually with students to build their McDaniel Plan.

Graph showing the estimated increase in physical therapist jobs between 2017 and 2025.

Distinctive Courses

BIO 1120 - Human Anatomy

A study of the anatomical structure of the human body. The basic concepts of anatomy: gross, microscopic, developmental, and clinical - will be studied by organ systems. Form-function relationships will be emphasized. This functional anatomy approach will explain how the shape and composition of the anatomical structures allow them to perform their functions. This course is appropriate for students interested in careers in health, fitness, wellness, recreation, physical therapy, athletic training, coaching, medicine, nursing, or other fields where knowledge of the human body may be important.

KIN 3200 - Writing in Kinesiology

This course is the first part of a two-part sequence intended for Kinesiology majors not completing KIN 4490 (Capstone in Kinesiology) and is required for Kinesiology majors seeking departmental honors. This course is also part of a two-part sequence intended for Health Sciences majors who choose to complete their Capstone in the Kinesiology Department. Students will examine, and practice, various methods of communicating scientific information. Students will select a project for their capstone project and review the literature related to the topic while also investigating the methods necessary to answer their research question. 

KIN 2225 - Prevention and Care of Athletic Injuries

Prevention, care, and management of injuries associated with physical activity and medical emergencies. Topics considered include basic human anatomy, recognition, and evaluation of injuries.

KIN 3222 - Exercise Physiology

The principles and concepts of physiological function will be discussed as they apply to human movement. Included with the principles and concepts will be selected methods and techniques of assessing physiological function under varied performance conditions. The relationship between exercise and health will also be discussed

The McDaniel Commitment in Action

The McDaniel Commitment—a series of opportunities guaranteed to all students—provides enhanced mentoring and coaching, and ensures every undergraduate student completes at least two meaningful experiential learning opportunities.

McDaniel College alumna Emma Ardolino ‘10

Impressive Outcomes Former scholar athlete finds perfect career fit as physical therapist Career Ready

There’s not much McDaniel College alumna Emma Ardolino ‘10 enjoys more than watching patients in her physical therapy practice achieve their goals and get back to their pre-injury function.