Dpt

[390399382]

I am considering becoming a physical therapist. However, I dont know much about what goes into it. I know it is a vary competitive field, doctorate school is about 3 and a half years after receiving your bachelors degree, and you have to pass a state license exam. If I do decide to go into physical therapy I would like to work with sports teams, so maybe a minor in sports medicine. Im hoping you guys can tell me what goes into becoming a physical therapist!

 

[ammonihah99]

Um, way too much information to be in one discussion posting online. Search these discussion boards for the next 12 hours and you'll have a good start. Seems like I've been researching and reading for about 9 months straight and I'm still finding new stuff. 🙂

 

[goyo1010]

I am considering becoming a physical therapist. However, I dont know much about what goes into it. I know it is a vary competitive field, doctorate school is about 3 and a half years after receiving your bachelors degree, and you have to pass a state license exam. If I do decide to go into physical therapy I would like to work with sports teams, so maybe a minor in sports medicine. Im hoping you guys can tell me what goes into becoming a physical therapist!

I'll keep it short and sweet. Keep in mind that what I tell you are the basics and essentials. As the previous poster mentioned, browse the PT boards for more info.

-PT school: 2.5-3.5 years, depending on program.
-CAPTE (APTA accrediting body) accredits schools with Masters or Doctor of Physical Therapy programs. By 2015 all schools must offer only the DPT and by 2020 all PTs must be DPTs (or tDPTs).
-Pre-reqs are dependent on school/program.
-Must hold a Bachelors
-Most schools require GRE, but not all. Recommend >1000
-All schools require some amount of volunteering/shadowing/pt related work experience.
-letters of recommendation and/or interviews are required
-competitive GPA, ~3.5 and above.
-get accepted
-stay in school for the whole program and learn a butt-load of stuff and pass.
-take the national licensure exam, National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE), and pass it.
-get your license and practice.

-there is not minor in Sports Physical Therapy, but after working a while, you can get specialized in Sports PT. You need like 2000+ hours of experience in that field, take a test, and become a Sports Certified Specialist (SCS). Then you need to renew it to demonstrate competency.

My advice?

Look at http://www.apta.org/ProspectiveStudents/. Start here!

 

[atstudent]

-there is not minor in Sports Physical Therapy, but after working a while, you can get specialized in Sports PT. You need like 2000+ hours of experience in that field, take a test, and become a Sports Certified Specialist (SCS). Then you need to renew it to demonstrate competency.

Don't forget you must also posess some sort of emergency training as well.

Best best-- if you want to work with sports, be a Certified Athletic Trainer!