by A Physical Therapist happens to be a medical specialist whose job is to assist patients in dealing with their pains and to increase mobility after some injury. They are trained in such sciences as Chemistry, Physics, Human Anatomy, Human Psychology, Pharmacology, Biomechanics, as well as have enough clinical training to be able to work with patients.
How Long Does It Take To Become A Physical Therapist
There is a specific method of qualifying as a physical therapist that can be used by not graduating school finishers. This wonderful program has the name of Freshman Entry Doctor of Physical Therapy.
The program educates students for six years and as soon as you finish it you acquire a bachelor’s degree and Doctor of Physical Therapy degree as well. Entering this option helps you to save 1 year, otherwise, you will have to study for seven years.
The described program is perfectly suitable if you really wish to specialize as a physical therapist. Otherwise, you can skip it and just acquire a bachelor’s degree.
If you have completed the undergraduate you may enroll in the Doctor of Physical Therapy program. It usually takes from thirty to thirty-six months. So, if we count, we can see that you have four years of undergraduate and three years of this program – seven years of studying in college.
How Long To Become A Physical Therapist
We can speak of three existing physical therapist degrees. You can qualify as a PT only if you have a doctorate. Undergraduate degrees prepare students to work as a PT assistant or to go further to a doctoral level.
The first degree is associate, which gives the opportunity to students to turn into PT assistants or move to the following level. To enroll in the program a student has to have a high school diploma or some equivalent level of education.
The associate degree takes two years to obtain. The program also has such parts as an internship or some other particular type of practical training. You can get this degree in a junior college.
The second one is a bachelor’s degree, which is a preparatory education for people who plan further to move to the doctoral level. The bachelor’s degree takes eight semesters and gives a training program of 5 hundred learning hours.
The third type is a doctorate degree. Only after obtaining it, you will be able to work as a licensed therapist. The offered education scheme also has to achieve the accrediting certificate of the Commission on accreditation in physical therapy education. The described degree lasts three years. The program obtains learning in classrooms, laboratory work, and practical training.
When you choose a college you should find the information if the educational organization acquires the accreditation by any national or regional agency. The educational program must gain accreditation by CAPTE. Also when you seek online educational options, there should be accreditation by any state training council.
How Hard Is It To Become A Physical Therapist
The way to start in the profession we are talking about, first of all, takes at least 7 years. If you want to have a certain specialization, you will have to spend more time.
But it’s rather hard since you have to acquire a huge amount of knowledge, have practical skills, know human psychology and find access to every patient’s soul.
Of course, we can say that it’s hard, but if this profession is your passion, we believe that you will be able to deal with everything you will meet on your way to qualifying as a physical therapist.
How Much Does It Cost To Become A Physical Therapist
You need to know the whole amount of money which you need to pay for education since the school is not cheap.
First of all, we have to understand that the cost of the program depends on the school you choose. Several features affect the cost, and it is also important whether the university is public or private.
It is necessary for you to know that private universities have higher prices. The range of prices is between $28,000 and $45,000 for a year and sometimes can be even more. Remember that you will have to pay for the books and your living.
The cost of education in public universities depends on the state you are going to study in. In your home state, you will pay $8,000 to $12,000 for one year. In other states, the price will start from $20,000 for one year and more.
You can see that you will have to pay a lot of money. Therefore, try to find some grants or scholarships.
We also should mention the fact that physical therapists usually earn from $56,000 to $84,000 for a year, so we can see that the education is worth going through.
How Hard It Is To Become A Physical Therapist In California
Below we can see ten high-quality physical therapy schools in the described state. All the schools have the needed accreditation.
- California State University, Fresno
The educational organization has the Physical Therapy Department which offers various programs including the Doctorate of Physical Therapy. You have to acquire a bachelor’s degree from an accredited university, where you have studied some particular subjects.
- California State University, Long Beach
The division of the studies organization also provides the Doctor of Physical Therapy degree, which also requires the bachelor’s level and a certain range of studied sciences.
- San Francisco State University
This place allows you to try enrolling in an entry-level Doctor of Physical Therapy program which takes six semesters. You have to obtain a bachelor’s degree to enroll in it.
- California State University, Northridge
It’s another division of the university which doesn’t differ from the previous ones.
- California State University, East Bay
The thing that is not similar to other divisions is that this one offers a Therapeutic Studies option that prepares students for being admitted to any other Physical Therapy college.
- California State University, Sacramento
It also provides a standard three-year program for DPT.
- Point Loma Nazarene University
The university provides a major in Pre-physical therapy, which gives some basics for further physical therapy education.
- Chapman University
Since 1928 the college has been developing the program of Doctor of Physical Therapy. The program lasts three years, which is a common practice.
- Saint Mary’s College of California
The college has a pre-professional course in physical therapy for future scholars from a firm Catholic background.
- University of Southern California
The office of Physical Therapy has operated in the university since 1945. The educational organization offers a usual three-year Doctor of Physical Therapy program.
Video: How Long Does It Take To Become A Physical Therapist
In this video, you will find an answer to the question how long does it take to become a physical therapist.
How To Become A Professional Sports Physical Therapist
The path to becoming a sports physical therapist is close to the path of a usual physical therapist.
In order to start, you must obtain a bachelor’s degree. The studying process should definitely obtain particular sciences in order to give the opportunity to enter a doctor of the physical therapy program.
The bachelor’s degree has to be followed by a master’s or doctorate degree in Physical Therapy. The process of basic education is closed by a special exam to achieve a Physical Therapy license.
The following step is to pass the Sports Specialization Certification exam. It happens after you have been certified in Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation. You also have to acquire a certification as an Emergency Medical Responder. You can swap these certifications if you have a certain amount of hours of working with patients. To become the best in your profession go through massage therapy school.
The way how to become a pediatric physical therapist is similar to this way and differs only in postgraduate certifications and licensing exams.
The following step is to pass the Sports Specialization Certification exam. It happens after you have been certified in Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation. You also have to acquire a certification as an Emergency Medical Responderan or an EMT if you have it. You can swap these certifications if you have a certain amount of hours of working with patients.
The way how to become a pediatric physical therapist is similar to this way and differs only in postgraduate certifications and licensing exams.
