Becoming a Physical Therapist Hard?

Question

is pursuing a career in PT hard? lets say u want to get a DPT

i was plannin on trying to go route of PHARMACIST, but that might be a little too difficult for me, so i am stepping back to becoming a PT.. plus i know everything there is to bodybuilding/ nutrition/ etc so it would be perfect for me..

basically im just worried on how hard it is.. i heard 8 years.. im good at chem, math, english, physics, etc, but is this career like being a doctor?

Answer 1

I think all of the above answers have good intentions, but most of the information presented above is outdated.

First, in the US, it does require either a master's or doctorate level program. Total completion from freshman year to completion is typically 6-7 years...but it also depends on how long it takes you to finish your BS and the prerequistie courses.

Next, regarding difficulty, let's just say that it is typically a competitive entry program. Most programs have limited, competitive enrollment. That means that just because you complete the prerequsite courses and make the minimum GPA, does not guarantee admission. For instance, where I went to school, a minimum GPA of 3.0 was required, however, of those admitted into the program, the average GPA was 3.6...and no one was lower than 3.4. Historically speaking, PT programs admit about 10-20% of qualified applicants. Yet, enrollment has been lower than it was 10 years ago, therefore it may be easier or harder depending on the number of people applying.

Entrance into an MS and DPT program usually have similar standards (other than you must complete your BS or BA prior to applying to the DPT program...whereas some MS programs can be entered before your degree is complete.)

The programs are generally rigerous...students spend as much as 30-40 hours a week in the classroom or clinic. It really becomes like a full-time job. However, the students who are admitted to the program generally do well with some hard work. A few students always drop out after the first semester, but that soon stabilizes. As far as differences between the MS and the DPT program, they are slight, but definetely apparent. The APTA DOES recognize the distinction between the two (whereas the BS and MS were considered the same when the MS first came out). The DPT has MORE emphasis on pharmacology, differential diagnosis, radiology, and research as compared to the MS.

Your skills in chem, math, English and physics should give you a good basis for applying to the program.

It is certainly a challenging and time consuming education, but I would not equate it with medical doctorate training which is definetely more rigerous.

Answer 2

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RE:
Becoming a Physical Therapist Hard?
is pursuing a career in PT hard? lets say u want to get a DPT

i was plannin on trying to go route of PHARMACIST, but that might be a little too difficult for me, so i am stepping back to becoming a PT.. plus i know everything there is to bodybuilding/ nutrition/ etc so it would be perfect for...

Answer 3

Physio is not that hard. It tends to attract certain types of people to it, people interested in working with patients but are not interested in being a nurse or becoming a doctor.

There are also opportunities in sports medicine, but a lot of PT work is actually with the elderly.

You should consider other options.

For example
- nutritionist
- Radiologist
- Speech pathologist
- Nursing (maybe not general nursing, but nursing has many opportunities, many drug company reps are ex nurses)
and so on.

Your biggest challenge will be the medical texts, there is a lot to learn. Not really hard stuff, but a lot of things.

Mabe you should consider the more scientifically orientated areas, such as biotechnology (by the time you graduate you will seeking work making bionic arms, artificial hearts and so on).

Answer 4

Time alone doesn't make it hard. But you should be able to become certified as a physical therapist in 2 to 3 years of study.

If you do have an interest in nutrition, you can develop a part time nutrition business that will pay you while you learn in the same 2 to 3 year time frame.

Answer 5

If you don't mind taking extra long to do it... sure do both. But you will need to do some intensive science courses, particularly Gross Anatomy which is a full-time job itself. If you are planning on relying on a sports scholarship to pay for college, you need to think really hard about your work ethic, your need for sleep, and your general academic skill level. Because if you are already a B student, and you are going to be missing days of classes and studying in the bus for tests,etc, you might not make the cut for Grad school. And that is what your *true* goal is, right??

Answer 6

Becoming A Pt

Answer 7

PT course is of 4.5 yr and then u can pursue 2 yr masters.
PT is about healing people emphasizing on rehablitation of patients...(post-surgery,fracture,paralysis,sports injury.......)
its hard but not very, as u have to read all medical subjects and therapeutic ones.
the pay scale is around 10-12k per month.