Picking a specialty

[tpath11]

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So I will be starting my first year of DPT in May, I'm a little confused on the specialties in this field. When do you pick? What if you want to switch? Is it similar to a fellowship in MD? Do you take different classes in DPT based on what field you pick?

 

[jblil]

In your 3rd year, you can pick electives that are focused on the area you want to work in. Nothing remotely like a fellowship in MD. And you don't "specialize" in your 3 years of PT school; the goal of all DPT programs is to get you licensed as an all-around PT. You can get more education later, if you wish to specialize:
http://www.abpts.org/home.aspx

 

[starrsgirl]

At my school, we have no electives....everyone take the same courses all 3 years. Our only option to "specialize" is to select 1/4 clinical rotations as your choice. The other 3 are largely dictated by school requirements. But even then, it's not a true specialty...just a little more exposure. After school, you could choose to do a residency in one of the specialty fields (year long).