Are you interested in becoming a physical therapist? If so, you may be wondering what you'll need to major in to become a PT.
It's important to know what options are available to you. Let's take a look at the different types of degrees in physical therapy to help you determine the best route to pursuing this career.
What Are the Types of Degrees in Physical Therapy?
There are three types of degrees in physical therapy: a Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy Assistant (PTA), a Master of Physical Therapy, and a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT). Let's take a closer look at what each of these degrees means.
Undergraduate Degree Options for Physical Therapists
If you want to start a career in physical therapy, there are several undergraduate degree options to take into consideration. It's important to keep in mind that there's no such thing as a bachelor's degree in physical therapy.
Students who are interested in becoming physical therapists may choose to earn their bachelor's degree in exercise science, biology, kinesthesiology or health sciences. Although there's technically no undergraduate degree requirement to earn a graduate degree in physical therapy, a bachelor's degree in sciences will help ensure you meet the physical therapy prerequisites.
A Bachelor of Science in PTA is another degree that's often recommended to students who are interested in becoming physical therapists. Students will gain the skills and knowledge they need to work as an assistant to a physical therapist. This is a great way to start an entry-level career in physical therapy while continuing your schooling to become a physical therapist.
Graduate Degrees in Physical Therapy
A Master's of Physical Therapy (MPT) can be earned prior to obtaining a doctoral degree in the field. This degree is actually rare to find, and it is not required to pursue a doctoral degree in the field. In the past, physical therapists were able to practice with a master's degree, but this is no longer the case. Therefore, most consider an MPT to be pointless.
A doctoral degree is the minimum physical therapy degree one must obtain in order to practice as a physical therapist in the United States. DPT programs generally take three years to complete.
Earning a degree is just the beginning of a lifelong journey in the field of physical therapy. To stay ahead in this dynamic profession, practitioners often pursue additional qualifications. This is where specialized certifications come into play, offering advanced training and expertise in niche areas of physical therapy. For those looking to take their professional skills to the next level, exploring the best certs for PTs can be a vital step towards achieving excellence in patient care and expanding career opportunities.
Why Should You Earn a Physical Therapy Degree?
Are you trying to decide if a degree in physical therapy is a good fit for you? Here are some of the benefits of becoming a physical therapist:
Make a difference in people's lives: If you love helping people, this job is for you. Physical therapists help athletes recover from sports injuries, as well as people who have endured other types of injuries. They can make a positive impact on people's lives.
High earning potential: Physical therapists earn an average of $95,620 per year, with the top 10% earning over $127,110. If you're looking for a stable job with good earning potential, this may be the career for you.
Build relationships with patients: One of the main advantages of becoming a physical therapist is that you'll get to work with many different patients. Some of them will be with you short-term, while others may see you for longer periods of time. You'll get to build relationships with all of them.
Work in a variety of settings: Physical therapists work in a wide range of settings, including hospitals, nursing homes, physical therapy centers, and in patients' homes. With so many different types of work settings, you'll never grow bored.
These are just some things to take into consideration if you're thinking about earning a degree in physical therapy. This career can be a rewarding one for anyone who wants to make a positive difference in people's lives.
* This is a contributed article and this content does not necessarily represent the views of sciencetimes.com
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