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How do I get started into physical therapy after high school?

I am high school senior who has an interest in physical therapy from my past life in sports playing sports all my life leads me to a life of physical therapy.

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Suzanne’s Answer

I believe you are asking about how to get into a career as a physical therapist once you graduate from high school. Great career choice and one which makes a lot of sense for an athletic person who is interested in how the body works and helping people return to and maintain function.

To become a physical therapist in the US, you first go to college on a pre-healthcare track (typically 4 years to get your bachelors degree) and then get a doctoral degree in physical therapy (typically a 3 year program). You then need to take an exam to become licensed.

Below I am putting links to the Michigan State University pre-health program for students interested in P.T. If you look at what classes are required to apply to PT school (at U of M- Flint as an example) you will see that they are: anatomy with lab, biology, chemistry, developmental psychology, exercise physiology, math, physics, physiology with lab, psychology and statistics. They also highly recommend that you have some hours of observing physical therapists.

Suzanne recommends the following next steps:

https://prehealth.natsci.msu.edu/health-careers/physical-therapy/michigan-physical-therapy-schools.aspx
https://prehealth.natsci.msu.edu/health-careers/physical-therapy/index.aspx
Review the above websites and talk to your academic/guidance counselor now about which colleges to apply to.
In applying to colleges be sure that they have a pre-healthcare track so that you can take the necessary classes to then be able to apply to PT graduate programs. As soon as you start in college, connect with the pre-health advisors.
Go to a local PT office or hospital-based PT setting and ask if you can do some shadowing. Good luck, best wishes!
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Lauren’s Answer

It is a very competitive program so make sure to stay up on your grades. Get into a college and try to put a focus on the anything about the body, it's mechanics (even lifting, yoga, dance, anything that can help you dissect and analyze the body in motion) and even a psych course (you deal with a lot of emotions when someone is injured). I would shadow a person or two, you will likely be dealing with more than just "sports" related patients (that's a small portion of what the average PT sees).

If you really want to get experience before hand you could try being a tech at a clinic. It will give you a fair idea of what to expect.

I mean, the only steps to get started is to go to school do good. If you are looking for experience, shadow or tech. Stay passionate and keep learning.
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Ashlee’s Answer

Hi Colby! To become a physical therapist, you will start with a bachelor’s degree and then apply to a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program. Your major can be anything you enjoy, such as pre‑physical therapy, pre‑med, Kinesiology, or Business, as long as you complete the prerequisite courses each DPT program requires. Most programs list these on their websites, and they usually include Chemistry, Physics, Anatomy and Physiology, College Algebra or higher, Psychology, and Medical Terminology courses.

All DPT programs must be accredited, and you can see the full list of accredited DPT programs and their prerequisite courses here: https://aptaapps.apta.org/accreditedschoolsdirectory/default.aspx?UniqueKey%3D.

Since you were an athlete, you might also explore related fields such as Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA), Athletic Training, or Coaching. The link above includes PTA programs, and you can look up Athletic Training or Coaching degrees at any university you are interested in.

I hope this helps. You’re going to do great things!
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Vianne’s Answer

Getting into physical therapy has a clear path, and once you know the steps, it feels much easier. After high school, you'll start by going to college for a bachelor's degree. There's no specific major you need, but many students pick kinesiology, exercise science, biology, or health sciences. These majors cover the necessary courses like anatomy, physiology, biology, chemistry, and physics that PT schools look for.

While you're in college, it's important to spend time observing or shadowing licensed physical therapists. This experience helps you decide if PT is the right fit for you and is often required for PT school applications. Try to see different settings, like sports clinics, outpatient ortho, or rehab hospitals. Staying active in sports, coaching, or fitness work also helps you gain valuable experience and make connections.

After earning your bachelor's degree, you can apply to a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program, which usually takes about three years. Once you graduate, you'll take a licensing exam, and then you can start working as a physical therapist. If you enjoy working with athletes, you can specialize in sports PT later on. It’s a long journey, but if you love helping people recover and enjoy sports and movement, it’s a really rewarding career.
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