How long does a physical therapy degree take

How long is PT school? If you're thinking about becoming a physical therapist, you should find out what educational options you have available.

Physical therapy is a great career option

There are a lot of great reasons to become a physical therapist (PT). You get to be active at work and help people make improvements to their health. Also, you get to continue to learn while on the job. In addition to helping people and learning, the job outlook for physical therapists is great. The median salary is around $89,000 per year. The type of work plus the compensation makes becoming a physical therapist appealing for many people.

If you’ve decided that you’re comfortable with what a physical therapist actually does, and it sounds like a good fit for you, you should consider the next steps for your education.

How long is PT school?

The answer to this question depends on your background. Concordia University’s Doctor of Physical Therapy program offers a few different options for you.

You have a bachelor’s degree:

If you have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution, and you meet the admissions criteria, the program takes three years.

You’re a Physical Therapy Assistant (PTA):

Concordia offers a program geared exactly for PTAs. The Physical Therapy Assistant Bridge Program provides a pathway toward the Doctor of Physical Therapy. You begin with earning your Bachelor of Science in Rehabilitative Science in 1.5 years, and then you’d follow the 3-year Doctor of Physical Therapy track. If you follow this path, the program takes 4.5 years. 

You don’t have a bachelor’s degree:

Concordia’s Bachelor of Science in Rehabilitative Science would give you the foundation that you need to be successful in the DPT program. Plus, you can apply for the accelerated DPT program while you’re still finishing your bachelor’s. If you opt for the accelerated DPT program, this means you can become a physical therapist in 6 years, while it usually takes 7 years.

What PT school option is right for you?

No matter how you look at it, becoming a Doctor of Physical Therapy will require a significant time investment. That’s why it’s important to think about what your options are and find out what matches your personal and career goals.

Do you want to know more?

If you’re thinking about becoming a Doctor of Physical Therapy, feel free to request more information on our program page. Whatever your next step is, having the right information will help you take it with confidence.

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Physical therapists work in hospitals, clinics, offices, nursing homes and retirement facilities. They assistant patients with basic pain prevention and management and help people rehabilitate from injuries and health conditions. Care may be temporary or ongoing. While a physical therapist doesn't go to school as long as a typical medical doctor, she does need a significant amount of education.

Undergraduate Study

In some cases, you can enter a professional degree program prior to completing an undergraduate degree. This is not typically the case, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Normally, PTs must finish a bachelor's degree before entering graduate school. During your undergraduate program, classes in anatomy, chemistry, biology and related sciences are often prerequisites to enter a PT graduate program.

Graduate Degrees

You have two graduate degree options for the physical therapist path. One is the Doctor of Physical Therapy, or D.P.T. This program usually takes three years to complete. The other is the Master of Physical Therapy, or M.P.T., which takes two or three years. The Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education, or CAPTE, is the primary accreditation administrator for physical therapy programs. According to its website, CAPTE had accredited 218 programs as of 2013 and at the time of publication.

Licensing and Training

You need a state license to practice physical therapy. Normally, your graduate degree is all you need to apply, though state requirements can vary. The U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics indicates that many PTs do complete residency training after earning the degree, similar to the way doctors do. The time frame is often much shorter, though. Training periods commonly range from nine months to three years. You can train in a general physical therapy practice or in a specialized facility, depending on your personal interests.

Additional Requirements

Along with the education and training requirements, physical therapists typically possess several personal qualities that benefit them in their jobs. Compassion and concern for the well-being of patients is a starting point. Physical strength, stamina and dexterity are all needed as well to teach patients exercises and to help them complete them. Attention to detail and diligence in listening to the needs and concerns of patients before setting out a program helps ensure quality treatment.

References

• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: How to Become a Physical Therapist
• CAPTE: Welcome to CAPTE

Writer Bio

Neil Kokemuller has been an active business, finance and education writer and content media website developer since 2007. He has been a college marketing professor since 2004. Kokemuller has additional professional experience in marketing, retail and small business. He holds a Master of Business Administration from Iowa State University.