PT Education

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   Our user asked: "Hi, I've recently taken an interest to becoming a physical therapist. I understand that it takes about six years to become a therapist. My plan is to first earn an Associate's degree to become a physical therapist's assitant and continue on until I've earned my Masters. Would you recommend this plan or would completing school while working as an assitant and raising kids be too complicated? Any better suggestions? Thank you for your time."

Ask a PT Response: "Obtaining a degree in physical therapy now requires a doctorate degree. From my understanding, in order to apply to a doctorate program you must first obtain an undergraduate degree. Though, having a PTA degree may be advantageous for experience once you are accepted into a DPT program, you will nevertheless still be required to obtain a bachelors degree and take various courses which are prerequisites for admission to DPT programs. Perhaps it may be a good idea for you to speak with a counselor or admissions coordinator of a PT school which you are interested in attending to obtain more detailed information. As far as your question goes about it being too complicated, I would say it would depend on the person, support available and his/her situation. When I was in PT school, I had classmates who worked part time, took care of children and attended PT school and were able to succeed. I hope this helps and I wish you the best of luck in your endeavors."

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Ask a PT Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: Jul 07 2008 Online Status: Offline Posts: 524	Quote Reply Topic: PT Education Posted: Mar 10 2010 at 9:29am
	Our user asked: "Hi, I've recently taken an interest to becoming a physical therapist. I understand that it takes about six years to become a therapist. My plan is to first earn an Associate's degree to become a physical therapist's assitant and continue on until I've earned my Masters. Would you recommend this plan or would completing school while working as an assitant and raising kids be too complicated? Any better suggestions? Thank you for your time." Ask a PT Response: "Obtaining a degree in physical therapy now requires a doctorate degree. From my understanding, in order to apply to a doctorate program you must first obtain an undergraduate degree. Though, having a PTA degree may be advantageous for experience once you are accepted into a DPT program, you will nevertheless still be required to obtain a bachelors degree and take various courses which are prerequisites for admission to DPT programs. Perhaps it may be a good idea for you to speak with a counselor or admissions coordinator of a PT school which you are interested in attending to obtain more detailed information. As far as your question goes about it being too complicated, I would say it would depend on the person, support available and his/her situation. When I was in PT school, I had classmates who worked part time, took care of children and attended PT school and were able to succeed. I hope this helps and I wish you the best of luck in your endeavors."