Going for doctorate in physical therapy but already have degree in as radiology technologist. Is this good?

Question

I have my AS in radiography but am going for a bs in biology to go to physical therapy school.

Answer 1

While your credits from the AS may not readily apply towards your biology or PT degrees, your knowledge gained from working as an X-ray tech should give you some insight into the joints that your fellow students will lack. Either way, the process you have selected is a tough one. A doctoral degree in PT is tough, but I think will be advantageous to you in the long run.

I have worked with several physical therapist over the years, and most were excellent. I currently am working with a couple of doctorally prepared PTs and their knowledge and abilities far exceed the other PTs I have worked with. Regardless of what others may say, I think the extra education is beneficial to the patients. Additionally, from a practice standpoint, while I know some PTs who have openings daily in their schedules, the 2 I mentioned above are booked out a month in advance. So from a practice building standpoint I think the physicians respect their degrees and have a tendency to send the consults to them first.

Answer 2

While the RT degree will be helpful in practice, it doesn't really progress you towards the physical therapy degree other than maybe a class or two in physics and anatomy and physiology.

You would still need to complete the general prerequsites such as a year of bio, chem, physics, anatomy and physiology, psychology, statistics, etc as well as classes towards your biology degree and your general education credits. After that, you could then apply to the PT program

I imagine your AS will knock about a year off the process for you...depending on what courses you took in your porgram.

Either way, I think your AS will add an interesting bit of knowledge for you.

Answer 3

I've heard that a doctorate degree is not necessarily needed in physical therapy. It's perhaps more for those that would like to teach at the university level or do research. I just don't want you to have to pay all of that money and spend all of that time and be able to get the same types of jobs and such when one can instead get a master's degree and do well.

I'm sure that your degree in radiography is a fantastic starting point to having such knowledge about disease and the human body. You may already be aware, but PT school is extremely competitive to gain entrance into and one is said to need a 4.0 in prereq courses as well as overall gpa. It used to be even more difficult to get into than medical school! The biology degree should be quite challenging in and of itself, so please do prepare for a rigorous couple of years including taking the pre-physical therapy courses. And it's best to look at a few different pt schools (and their individual prereq's) due to the keen competition from other students.

For more info on pt: http://www.bls.gov/oco and search 'physical therapist'.

For US colleges: http://www.utexas.edu/world/univ

http://www.apta.org

Answer 4

Yes, you need a doctoral degree to be a Physical Therapist. Your best bet is a 6-yr DPT, straight out of HS, although it is possible to get bachelors in something like Rehab Science and then go for a separate DPT.

Answer 5

Congratulations, this is great. With you already having a degree in rad. this will help you since you will be working with bones and muscles.

Best of Luck to You

Answer 6

It is a good tandem. Both are useful in Orthopedics. Nice choice!

Good luck

Answer 7

Wonderful--keep up the good work. Super.....