2 answers
Chandler
Student
Fayetteville, North Carolina
1
Question
Updated
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What is the process of becoming a physical therapist like?
How difficult is it to become a physical therapist after you become an athletic trainer?
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2 answers
Cheri Hall
Physical Therapist
74
Answers
Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Updated
Cheri’s Answer
Hi Chandler,
In the past, you could major in athletic training as an undergraduate, a common path for future physical therapists (PTs). Now, to be an athletic trainer, you need a master's degree. This means you must first complete a four-year undergraduate degree in a field like biology or exercise science. After earning your bachelor's, you would apply to a graduate program for a Master's in Athletic Training, which takes about two years. Then, you'd need three more years for a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree. This path could take about nine years in total before becoming a PT.
If you're still in high school, consider shadowing both PTs and athletic trainers to see which field you prefer. While the professions share some similarities, daily tasks can differ. You might ask your school's athletic trainer if you can shadow them for a couple of weeks to understand their role better. Many physical therapy clinics also allow students to observe, as most PTs did the same before entering the field.
Another option is to become a PT without an athletic training degree. Physical therapy offers various specializations, including sports medicine, allowing you to work with athletes. You have time to decide, and majoring in exercise science or biology can prepare you for either career.
In the past, you could major in athletic training as an undergraduate, a common path for future physical therapists (PTs). Now, to be an athletic trainer, you need a master's degree. This means you must first complete a four-year undergraduate degree in a field like biology or exercise science. After earning your bachelor's, you would apply to a graduate program for a Master's in Athletic Training, which takes about two years. Then, you'd need three more years for a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree. This path could take about nine years in total before becoming a PT.
If you're still in high school, consider shadowing both PTs and athletic trainers to see which field you prefer. While the professions share some similarities, daily tasks can differ. You might ask your school's athletic trainer if you can shadow them for a couple of weeks to understand their role better. Many physical therapy clinics also allow students to observe, as most PTs did the same before entering the field.
Another option is to become a PT without an athletic training degree. Physical therapy offers various specializations, including sports medicine, allowing you to work with athletes. You have time to decide, and majoring in exercise science or biology can prepare you for either career.
Thank you so much!
Gena
Dr H
Dr. H's Research
1463
Answers
Australia
Updated
Dr’s Answer
Hey Chandler,
That’s a really thoughtful question, and you're smart to think ahead about the route from athletic training to becoming a physical therapist (PT). First off, basically The process of becoming a physical therapist usually goes like this: You need a bachelor’s degree first (in anything technically, but most people pick something related like exercise science, kinesiology, biology, or athletic training).
Then you apply to a **Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT)** program. These are competitive. You usually need strong grades (especially in science classes like anatomy, physiology, and physics), good GRE scores (though some programs are dropping them), and clinical experience hours — meaning real-world exposure to physical therapy work.
Once you’re accepted, the DPT program itself takes about 3 years full-time. It's intense — lots of classroom learning mixed with clinical rotations in different settings like hospitals, sports clinics, and rehab centers.
After finishing your DPT degree, you have to pass the National Physical Therapy Exam (NPTE) to become licensed.
Some people choose to do a residency or specialize (like sports, orthopedics, neuro) after that, but it's optional.
Now, since you're coming from athletic training. Being an athletic trainer (AT) can definitely help, but it doesn't automatically make the DPT process shorter. You’ll still need to meet the standard requirements for DPT school. The good news is, your background will give you a lot of advantages:
- You’ll already know anatomy, injury management, rehab techniques, and patient care.
- You’ll probably already have clinical hours logged, which admissions committees love.
- You'll have a better idea if physical therapy is really what you want before diving in fully.
Now about, How difficult is the transition? Academically, it's still challenging because PT programs dig even deeper into diagnosis, treatment planning, medical knowledge, and different patient populations (not just athletes).
Next, Time-wise, it’s a serious commitment — 3 years of more schooling after already working or studying.
And, Financially, DPT programs are expensive. Think anywhere from $60,000 to $120,000 depending on the school. But you will find ways for getting helped through and to tackle it ofc.
I will just tell you a few ups of going from Athletic Trainer to PT:
- You’ll be more versatile. ATs mainly work with athletes; PTs work with everyone — athletes, kids, elderly, stroke patients, post-surgery, etc.
- PTs usually earn more. Median salary for PTs is around $95,000/year, while ATs are closer to $50,000–$60,000/year.
- More career options. You could work in hospitals, private clinics, sports teams, even own your own practice someday.
And the Cons to consider are the fact that,
there will be more years in school (which also means more debt unless you find scholarships or work part-time).
- It’s competitive to get into DPT programs, so you’ll need to plan carefully.
- Some people feel burnt out going straight from one demanding career path to another without a break.
So, if you are serious about it then here is what I recommend you to do. Start shadowing or working alongside PTs now if you can. It strengthens your application and helps you be sure this is your path. Take your prerequisite classes seriously — PT schools will look closely at your science GPA. Look into bridge programs — some schools offer specialized tracks or combined programs for athletic trainers transitioning into PT.
And lastly, Save money and plan financially for grad school early. You can ofcourse work during study times, just remember the first year will be the toughest and afterwards things will start to ease up so don't take it hard. But I hope this helps.
You’re already ahead by asking the right questions. If you enjoy helping people move better, recover from injuries, and truly change their lives, then physical therapy can be an incredible career. It’s challenging, but it’s a career that has a lot of meaning every single day.
That’s a really thoughtful question, and you're smart to think ahead about the route from athletic training to becoming a physical therapist (PT). First off, basically The process of becoming a physical therapist usually goes like this: You need a bachelor’s degree first (in anything technically, but most people pick something related like exercise science, kinesiology, biology, or athletic training).
Then you apply to a **Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT)** program. These are competitive. You usually need strong grades (especially in science classes like anatomy, physiology, and physics), good GRE scores (though some programs are dropping them), and clinical experience hours — meaning real-world exposure to physical therapy work.
Once you’re accepted, the DPT program itself takes about 3 years full-time. It's intense — lots of classroom learning mixed with clinical rotations in different settings like hospitals, sports clinics, and rehab centers.
After finishing your DPT degree, you have to pass the National Physical Therapy Exam (NPTE) to become licensed.
Some people choose to do a residency or specialize (like sports, orthopedics, neuro) after that, but it's optional.
Now, since you're coming from athletic training. Being an athletic trainer (AT) can definitely help, but it doesn't automatically make the DPT process shorter. You’ll still need to meet the standard requirements for DPT school. The good news is, your background will give you a lot of advantages:
- You’ll already know anatomy, injury management, rehab techniques, and patient care.
- You’ll probably already have clinical hours logged, which admissions committees love.
- You'll have a better idea if physical therapy is really what you want before diving in fully.
Now about, How difficult is the transition? Academically, it's still challenging because PT programs dig even deeper into diagnosis, treatment planning, medical knowledge, and different patient populations (not just athletes).
Next, Time-wise, it’s a serious commitment — 3 years of more schooling after already working or studying.
And, Financially, DPT programs are expensive. Think anywhere from $60,000 to $120,000 depending on the school. But you will find ways for getting helped through and to tackle it ofc.
I will just tell you a few ups of going from Athletic Trainer to PT:
- You’ll be more versatile. ATs mainly work with athletes; PTs work with everyone — athletes, kids, elderly, stroke patients, post-surgery, etc.
- PTs usually earn more. Median salary for PTs is around $95,000/year, while ATs are closer to $50,000–$60,000/year.
- More career options. You could work in hospitals, private clinics, sports teams, even own your own practice someday.
And the Cons to consider are the fact that,
there will be more years in school (which also means more debt unless you find scholarships or work part-time).
- It’s competitive to get into DPT programs, so you’ll need to plan carefully.
- Some people feel burnt out going straight from one demanding career path to another without a break.
So, if you are serious about it then here is what I recommend you to do. Start shadowing or working alongside PTs now if you can. It strengthens your application and helps you be sure this is your path. Take your prerequisite classes seriously — PT schools will look closely at your science GPA. Look into bridge programs — some schools offer specialized tracks or combined programs for athletic trainers transitioning into PT.
And lastly, Save money and plan financially for grad school early. You can ofcourse work during study times, just remember the first year will be the toughest and afterwards things will start to ease up so don't take it hard. But I hope this helps.
You’re already ahead by asking the right questions. If you enjoy helping people move better, recover from injuries, and truly change their lives, then physical therapy can be an incredible career. It’s challenging, but it’s a career that has a lot of meaning every single day.