Physical therapy career help?

Physical Therapy as a career? Can anyone help?

• I am a high schoool senior whos thinking about my future and I have never really thought about a career in the medical field but recently Physical therapy has stuck out at me as ...show more

• Answer:

  It shouldn't hurt you to have not taken specific courses in high school. Physical Therapists are now Doctorate level degrees (in most locations, some are still Master's level). This means that you need to get a Bachelor's degree prior to applying to physical therapy school. Check with the school you are planning on attending, and see what courses they require prior to applying to the PT program. Most will require lots of sciences/maths: Chemistry, Physics, Zoology, Anatomy, Physiology, Statistics...that kind of stuff in addition to the general ed requirements. Another option is Physical Therapy Assistant, which is an Associates (2 year) degree. Check out local Junior Colleges (or Community Colleges) in your area to see if they have programs. After completing either program, you will have to sit for state licensure exam before you can practice independently. I've been a PTA for 10 years and am currently working towards my DPT... It's a great field, high demand.