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For my future career I want to become a Physical or Occupational Therapist. Is there anyway to start as an assistant and then see if I want additional schooling? Also, how do you decide to be a Physical Therapist or an Occupational Therapist?

I am a senior in high school and I enjoy sports and performing arts but I also enjoy working with children and helping people in general. My career goal is to go into the physical or occupational therapy field and run my own practice. I also want to graduate debt-free.

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Destini’s Answer

Yes, you can start as an assistant. Either the PT or OT assistant program is usually done at a community college and is only 2 years. That is a great way to get right into the field. The pay is less than an OT or PT but otherwise the work is very similar. You will have less debt because your schooling is less. You can always return - I think they have something called a bridge program - and take courses to transition from an assistant to a therapist. Have you thought about working as a therapy tech or therapy aide before deciding? Or maybe volunteering in the setting you think you want to work in? This will give you a chance to shadow what each profession does before you commit.
Best of luck!
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Vianne’s Answer

Many people begin as physical therapy assistants or occupational therapy assistants to see if they enjoy the job before committing to a long time in school. These assistant programs usually take about two years at a community college. They let you work directly with patients under a licensed therapist's guidance. It's a great way to gain experience and decide if you really like the job before going for a doctorate later.

The main difference between physical therapy and occupational therapy is their focus during treatment. Physical therapists help people with movement, building strength, and recovering from injuries, especially sports injuries or movement issues. Occupational therapists help people with daily tasks like dressing, writing, using their hands, or adjusting to life after an injury or disability. Both work with the same patients but use slightly different methods to help them recover.

Since you enjoy sports, performing arts, and being around kids, you might like either option. It can really help to follow both types of therapists if you can. Watching a typical day in each field is very useful. Starting as an assistant, taking classes at a community college, and then transferring later can help save money if you want to graduate without debt. Many people choose this path.
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Cynthia’s Answer

There are already some great answers, but here's a bit more information. Completing a program as a physical therapist assistant (PTA) or occupational therapist assistant (OTA) can provide a solid foundation for becoming a physical therapist or occupational therapist. If you're aiming to keep education costs low, consider a bridge program after earning your assistant degree and gaining some work experience, as these programs usually require a few years of work. You might need to continue working part-time as an assistant while completing the bridge program. However, these programs aren't widespread, so you may need to live nearby or travel for weekend classes.

If you choose a PTA or OTA program and then decide on a traditional graduate program in physical or occupational therapy, you'll need to finish a bachelor's degree and apply for the graduate program. Some PTA or OTA credits might transfer, but not all therapy-specific classes will count toward your bachelor's degree.

Another path to becoming a physical or occupational therapist is to earn a bachelor's degree first rather than PTA or OTA and then proceed to graduate school for your therapist degree.

To help decide between PT/PTA and OT/OTA, you can find helpful YouTube videos by searching for "A Day in the Life of a Physical Therapist" or similar titles for occupational therapists and assistants. Education-wise, physical therapy focuses more on lab sciences, while occupational therapy emphasizes behavioral sciences, though both fields study both areas. If you're interested in sports-related rehab, physical therapy might be a good fit. For working with children, both fields offer opportunities: physical therapy often involves rehab for conditions like cerebral palsy or muscular dystrophy, while occupational therapy may also address issues related to autism in schools.
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Cherilyn’s Answer

Yes, you can absolutely start as an assistant first — either a Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) or an Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) — and it’s actually a smart way to see which path fits you best before committing to the longer (and more expensive) schooling. PTA and OTA programs are usually 2‑year associate degrees, so you can work in the field, gain experience, and decide whether you prefer the physical‑rehab side (PT) or the more daily‑living/functional‑skills side (OT). Since you enjoy sports and performing arts, PT might appeal to you because it often focuses on movement, strength, and injury rehab; if you also love working with children and helping people adapt to their environments, OT could be a great fit too. Starting as an assistant can also help you keep costs low, earn money while you learn, and even help you decide if you want to pursue the full PT (Doctorate) or OT (Master’s) degree later. It’s a great way to explore both careers while staying on track toward graduating debt‑free.
Thank you comment icon I agree with the all in the above answer. Your interests and goals perfectly align with the career path of PT and OT. Rebecca Kollmorgen
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