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Physical therapist vs Dermatologist?
I think PT is a great job but the debt after school is BIG! I think Dermatology sounds like fun and like you'll never be bored. What are some of the differences?
#fun #schooling #college #school
#physical-therapist #therapists #therapist
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2 answers
Updated
Rachel’s Answer
Hi Maria!
Thanks for your question. These two options provide for a great career. However, both require very different requirements in order to practice in each field.
Quick Facts:
(1) A bachelors degree from an accredited university is a requirement for both programs.
(2) Further education is a requirement for both programs.
(3) Dermatology pays substantially more (starting $200k+) than physical therapy (starting $80-$90k), and, for that reason, is extremely competitive to get into.
(4) Dermatology requires an MD, while Physical Therapy requires a DPT. Both of these degrees are substantially different and are viewed differently by the public. Further, dermatology requires more years of schooling/residency. An in-depth research should be done.
A Physical Therapist Requires:
(1) Earn a bachelors degree
- During your undergraduate program, try and obtain a basic understanding of the following subjects:
*Biology
*Anatomy
*Physiology
*Biomechanics
*Kinesiology
*Neuroscience
*Pharmacology
*Cardiovascular and pulmonary sciences
*Endocrine sciences
*Metabolic sciences
*Musculoskeletal sciences
(2) Gain hands-on experience with physical therapy
-NOTE: Physical therapy shadowing is one of the main requirements for admission into most high-quality Doctorate of Physical Therapy programs. However, some schools do not require shadowing.
- Refer to: https://www.apta.org/your-career/careers-in-physical-therapy/pta-to-pt-career-transition
(2) you must earn a doctor of physical therapy (DPT) degree from a Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education-accredited physical therapist education program and
- NOTE: The length of professional DPT programs is typically three years.
- Refer to this Checklist for admission requirements: http://www.ptcas.org/Checklist/
(3) pass a state licensure exam.
(4) optional --> Attend a physical therapy residency or fellowship to specialize in a specific area of physical therapy.
- Helpful Information: Where do PTs work?
*Hospitals
*Outpatient clinics or offices
*Inpatient rehabilitation facilities
*Skilled nursing, extended care or subacute facilities
*Homes
*Education or research centers
*Schools
*Hospices
*Industrial, workplace or other occupational environments
*Fitness centers and sports training facilities
Dermatology Requirements:
(1) Earn a bachelors degree (FUN FACT: many students pick a pre-med major such as: biology, organic chemistry, physics, and general chemistry . However, my sister was an English major and is now attending an MD program at one of the University of California state schools. So it is not a requirement).
(2) Take the MCAT (standardized test)
- NOTE: A high GPA and a high MCAT score are necessary to apply to medical school. It is one of the most competitive processes. Many post-undergraduate students take up to 2-3 cycles to finally get accepted. Do not feel discouraged if you don't get in on your first try!
(3) Attend a four-year medical school
(4) Take boards exam
(5) Attend a Residency program:
-NOTE: Following medical school, aspiring dermatologists must complete a dermatology residency. A residency in dermatology involves one year as an intern in either general surgery or internal medicine, followed by three years of clinical residency in dermatology.
- NOTE: dermatology is notoriously one of the most difficult residencies to be accepted into. Please do plenty of research on which schools have the most students who are accepted into the dermatology residency programs.
(6) License/ Certificate:
- NOTE: Dermatologists must obtain and keep a current license to practice. After successfully completing medical school and dermatology residency, they are eligible to sit for the Dermatology Board Examination (administered by the American Board of Dermatology (ABD)) and can finally be deemed “board-certified”.
I hope this was helpful for you!
Thanks for your question. These two options provide for a great career. However, both require very different requirements in order to practice in each field.
Quick Facts:
(1) A bachelors degree from an accredited university is a requirement for both programs.
(2) Further education is a requirement for both programs.
(3) Dermatology pays substantially more (starting $200k+) than physical therapy (starting $80-$90k), and, for that reason, is extremely competitive to get into.
(4) Dermatology requires an MD, while Physical Therapy requires a DPT. Both of these degrees are substantially different and are viewed differently by the public. Further, dermatology requires more years of schooling/residency. An in-depth research should be done.
A Physical Therapist Requires:
(1) Earn a bachelors degree
- During your undergraduate program, try and obtain a basic understanding of the following subjects:
*Biology
*Anatomy
*Physiology
*Biomechanics
*Kinesiology
*Neuroscience
*Pharmacology
*Cardiovascular and pulmonary sciences
*Endocrine sciences
*Metabolic sciences
*Musculoskeletal sciences
(2) Gain hands-on experience with physical therapy
-NOTE: Physical therapy shadowing is one of the main requirements for admission into most high-quality Doctorate of Physical Therapy programs. However, some schools do not require shadowing.
- Refer to: https://www.apta.org/your-career/careers-in-physical-therapy/pta-to-pt-career-transition
(2) you must earn a doctor of physical therapy (DPT) degree from a Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education-accredited physical therapist education program and
- NOTE: The length of professional DPT programs is typically three years.
- Refer to this Checklist for admission requirements: http://www.ptcas.org/Checklist/
(3) pass a state licensure exam.
(4) optional --> Attend a physical therapy residency or fellowship to specialize in a specific area of physical therapy.
- Helpful Information: Where do PTs work?
*Hospitals
*Outpatient clinics or offices
*Inpatient rehabilitation facilities
*Skilled nursing, extended care or subacute facilities
*Homes
*Education or research centers
*Schools
*Hospices
*Industrial, workplace or other occupational environments
*Fitness centers and sports training facilities
Dermatology Requirements:
(1) Earn a bachelors degree (FUN FACT: many students pick a pre-med major such as: biology, organic chemistry, physics, and general chemistry . However, my sister was an English major and is now attending an MD program at one of the University of California state schools. So it is not a requirement).
(2) Take the MCAT (standardized test)
- NOTE: A high GPA and a high MCAT score are necessary to apply to medical school. It is one of the most competitive processes. Many post-undergraduate students take up to 2-3 cycles to finally get accepted. Do not feel discouraged if you don't get in on your first try!
(3) Attend a four-year medical school
(4) Take boards exam
(5) Attend a Residency program:
-NOTE: Following medical school, aspiring dermatologists must complete a dermatology residency. A residency in dermatology involves one year as an intern in either general surgery or internal medicine, followed by three years of clinical residency in dermatology.
- NOTE: dermatology is notoriously one of the most difficult residencies to be accepted into. Please do plenty of research on which schools have the most students who are accepted into the dermatology residency programs.
(6) License/ Certificate:
- NOTE: Dermatologists must obtain and keep a current license to practice. After successfully completing medical school and dermatology residency, they are eligible to sit for the Dermatology Board Examination (administered by the American Board of Dermatology (ABD)) and can finally be deemed “board-certified”.
I hope this was helpful for you!
Your advice is very insightful!
Sheila Jordan
Updated
Thomas’s Answer
"Here is a review of the many advantages of being a physical therapist:
Great Pay
Work/Life Balance
Variety of Environments
In-Demand Career Field
Health and Fitness
Medical Knowledge
Job Satisfaction
Dermatology is would be a beneficial profession to anyone that would choose to pursue this field of medicine as his or her career. It has a high salary and has unusually flexible hours for a medical profession, meaning a dermatologist would be able to spend a significant amount of time with family.
Positives
Emotionally and physically charged environment
Requires compassion and knowledge of illness
Innovative and ever-changing treatment
Flexibility of practice offers balance and career in personal life
Opportunity to know your patients on personal level
Salary between $200,000-$500,000 per year"
Great Pay
Work/Life Balance
Variety of Environments
In-Demand Career Field
Health and Fitness
Medical Knowledge
Job Satisfaction
Dermatology is would be a beneficial profession to anyone that would choose to pursue this field of medicine as his or her career. It has a high salary and has unusually flexible hours for a medical profession, meaning a dermatologist would be able to spend a significant amount of time with family.
Positives
Emotionally and physically charged environment
Requires compassion and knowledge of illness
Innovative and ever-changing treatment
Flexibility of practice offers balance and career in personal life
Opportunity to know your patients on personal level
Salary between $200,000-$500,000 per year"