David
How many years of college do I have to go through and what degree do I have to have to be a physical trainer?
As playing sports for nearly all of my life, playing a variety of sports, including, baseball, basketball, football, soccer, I have had a huge interest in playing and helping with sports. As my freshman year in baseball, I tore the Labrum Muscle in my right shoulder. IT had to require surgery, and it stopped me from playing baseball the rest of the year and half of the football team in Sophomore Year. I wanted to help out and give back to the people that have helped me with my injuries. #physical-therapist #physical-therapy #athletic-training #sports-medicine #fitness-training #sports-injuries
1 answer
Brendon Larsen, PTA
Brendon’s Answer
Hey David! I have to say that working in rehabilitation is awesome career. I think you'll really like it. Here's a short answer to your question:
(PT) Physical Therapists go to SEVEN years of school: 4 years for a general BS + 3 years for a Doctorate in Physical Therapy
(PTA) Physical Therapist Assistants go to TWO years of school: 2 years for an Associate's in Physical Therapy
(AT) Athletic Trainers go to FOUR or SIX years of school: currently, it only requires a bachelor's in Athletic Training but anyone who starts school in 2022 or later must complete a general BS + 2 years for a Master's in Athletic Training.
All three careers have a lot in common, and you probably worked with all three at different times (which is where you might have mixed up the term physical trainer.) Generally, ATs are the people who travel with sports teams and sit court side to help immediately with injuries, PTs/PTAs are more likely to work in a clinic/hospital and treat athletes after a severe injury or orthopedic surgery.
Here's more info on each:
https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/physical-therapists.htm
https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/physical-therapist-assistants-and-aides.htm
https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/athletic-trainers.htm
Let me know if I can answer any questions from those webpages!
Best of luck,
Brendon