How Long is Physical Therapy School?
How long is physical therapy school? Is it very tough to become a physical therapist?
Do I have to have a high IQ in order to qualify for this course? All these questions and much more are bound to nag at you as soon as you decide to opt for Physical Therapy as your career choice.
Luckily, I went through the same stage and am fully qualified to answer all your questions. In fact, I am about to explain all the steps you will have to go through to become a successful state-licensed physical therapist in the United States. So, keep reading below and find answers to all your questions and queries.
Becoming a physical therapist requires consistency and hard work. You must study dedicatedly for over seven years to be called a qualified practicing physical therapist. In addition to the time you spend on this particular branch of medicine, you will also be spending a great deal of your money to acquire all the mandatory education and training.
It would be best to have a DPT (Doctor of Physical Therapy) degree and a practice license to become a physical therapist. Of course, there is a lot more to this field than that. So, keep reading the following article to find all the necessary details.
What Is Physical Therapy?
Let’s start with the most basic question, i.e., what is physical Therapy? I am sure most of you know what it is and what you can expect from this branch of medicine; however, for those who still need clarification, let me explain concisely. Physical therapists are those health care professionals who help you improve the movement of your body after you suffer from a chronic disease, an injury, or a significant accident.
They will help you perform a series of exercises and techniques that will help enhance the movement of your limbs and your overall body and bring it back to normal. Impaired movement can sometimes only be corrected by religiously performing a given exercise. These exercises strengthen the surrounding muscles and build their inherent power to carry weight.
What Do Physical Therapists Do?
A physical therapist reviews patients’ medical history, observes their injuries and their effects on their body movement, and then prescribes medication accordingly. It is also the job of a physical therapist to keep track of the improvement in the movements of the patient and keep educating them regarding what they should be doing to recover quicker.
How To Become A Physical Therapist In Seven Steps?
Step # 01: Get A Bachelor’s Degree
Your first step in becoming a physical therapist is to earn a bachelor’s degree. However, you must opt for more than any field to get a bachelor’s degree. In fact, there is a list of prescribed areas amongst which you can take your pick.
This list includes Biology, Kinesiology, and exercise science. You may opt for any of the above majors. However, if none of these subjects appeal to you, the following list of courses is also acceptable.
These courses include Anatomy, Physiology, Physics, Psychology, and Statistics. So, if you want to pursue the field of Physical Therapy, you must earn a bachelor’s degree in any of the above courses.
Step # 02: Observation Hours And Grad Exams
Your next step in becoming a physical therapist is to complete a prescribed number of observation hours as an intern. The number of these hours depends upon the college you want to apply to to do a DPT course. So, I suggest that you pick out a college you want to apply to and then check out their required observation hours.
After that, seek an internship in any hospital or clinic and complete your observation hours before the deadline for college application approaches. Other than that, you may also have to take the Grad exams if the college you want to apply to requires it.
Step # 03: Earn A DPT Degree
After you complete your observation hours, apply to your dream college for the DPT doctorate. This is the most critical step in getting yourself a license to practice Physical Therapy on your own.
However, let me be very clear about the specifications of the college you opted for DPR. It should have programmatic accreditation from CAPTE (Commission of Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education). As the name suggests, this commission works exclusively for the betterment of Physical Therapy courses and provides a stamp of approval to good quality DPT programs and institutes.
Step # 04: Pass NPTE And Obtain A License
After you earn a DPT degree and before you get a license, it is mandatory that you pass the NPTE exam. NPTE stands for National Physical Therapy Examination. You will only get a license once you pass this state exam.
Step # 05: Residency Program And Board Certification
After you obtain your license, you may proceed to specialize in any particular area of Physical Therapy. It is up to you to decide in which area you want to specialize and build a career. The best part is that you may opt for more than one area to specialize in.
Physical Therapy has about nine areas of specialization: sports, Pediatrics, Geriatrics, Orthopedics, Oncology, women’s health, Cardiovascular and Pulmonary, Clinical electrophysiology, and Neurology. After you specialize in a particular field, you will have to pass the board examination of that field.
Step # 06: Get A Job As A Physical Therapist
Once you have received your DPT doctorate and a state license, you are eligible to apply for any job as a physical therapist. The more specializations you have, the better salary package you will receive.
Other than that, you may also open up your own clinic as a side practice to earn more money. Provide exceptional services to your patients and make a decent living out of it. You may also continue your studies to get more specialization and treat all different kinds of physical problems.
Step # 07: Maintain Licensure
Nobody gives much thought to this step, but it is equally crucial to abide by all the laws and regulations of the state in order to maintain your license. You will have to keep updating your knowledge by studying further. You will also have to complete continuing education credits every few years to maintain your license.
Is becoming a physical therapist worth it?
Yes, becoming a physical therapist is absolutely worth it. You will be spending half the time specializing and getting licensed as a physical therapist than any other branch of medicine. This field is definitely a tough 9je and requires a lot of effort and consistency, but it is a lot easier than other specialized courses of medicine.
Is physical Therapy a rewarding career?
Yes, physical Therapy is definitely an enriching career. You can easily land a high-paying job in large hospitals and health institutes. Other than that, you may also open up your clinic to treat patients in your free time and earn some extra side cash.
How much is a physical therapist’s salary?
The average salary of a physical therapist working in the United States is about 96,000 USD. However, the more experienced you are, the better your pay and vice versa. You could also improve your annual salary if you open up your own clinic on the side
So, it is safe to say that a Doctor of Physical Therapy is hands down one of the best and shortest specialized courses in the field of medicine. In only a few years, you will be a licensed practitioner, earning your own money and managing your life independently. However, I would like to send my special regards to my best friend, Desi Steven Perkins, who helped me acquire all the information I mentioned above.
She shared her valuable experience and expertise, enabling me to write a detailed step-by-step information guide for your benefit. I recommend you read out all the steps as mentioned earlier once more and plan all your moves before diving into this field head fast. I am sure you will find the course of physical therapy as attractive as my friend made it sound!