4 answers
Keely
Student
Yuma, Arizona
1
Question
Updated
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When going to college for physical therapy is it worth the time and money?
My name is Keely, I live in Az, I’ve been thinking about being a Physical therapist. I’ve started to think about cost for college and it led me to think is it really worth it? When going to college for physical therapy is it worth the time and money?
What are some class you had to take to get this job and what are some of the best colleges to go to for this job?
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4 answers
Case Saxion
Physical Therapist, Consultant, Advocate
10
Answers
Louisville, Kentucky
Updated
Case’s Answer
The responses above are excellent, but there's another avenue you might want to explore: military physical therapy.
I'm a proud graduate of the military's DPT program, specifically the US Army-Baylor University (not to be confused with Baylor U's own DPT program). The perks? No tuition fees, plus you receive a salary and allowances for housing and daily living expenses. Yes, it's challenging to get into due to the stringent physical, moral, and academic prerequisites, but the reward of completing graduate school debt-free will put you miles ahead of your peers. In fact, I was able to pay off my undergraduate debt by my second semester of grad school!
Physical therapy has its roots in the military, and military PTs often have more independence than their civilian counterparts. For instance, I had the authority to order imaging, prescribe limited medications, and directly refer my patients to specialists when necessary. I had the luxury of my own office, phone, and computer, and primarily saw evaluations and re-evaluations. We can delegate all non-skilled treatments to our PTA/Aids, freeing up our time to concentrate on diagnostics and precision of treatments.
Other perks? A centralized medical record system and fantastic opportunities for large-scale research studies and wellness projects that could potentially benefit thousands of service members.
If the military isn't your cup of tea or you don't meet the qualifications, the PTA to DPT pathway is a cost-effective alternative provided by many institutions.
Check out the program website https://military.robbins.baylor.edu/physical-therapy/physical-therapy-dpt
I'm a proud graduate of the military's DPT program, specifically the US Army-Baylor University (not to be confused with Baylor U's own DPT program). The perks? No tuition fees, plus you receive a salary and allowances for housing and daily living expenses. Yes, it's challenging to get into due to the stringent physical, moral, and academic prerequisites, but the reward of completing graduate school debt-free will put you miles ahead of your peers. In fact, I was able to pay off my undergraduate debt by my second semester of grad school!
Physical therapy has its roots in the military, and military PTs often have more independence than their civilian counterparts. For instance, I had the authority to order imaging, prescribe limited medications, and directly refer my patients to specialists when necessary. I had the luxury of my own office, phone, and computer, and primarily saw evaluations and re-evaluations. We can delegate all non-skilled treatments to our PTA/Aids, freeing up our time to concentrate on diagnostics and precision of treatments.
Other perks? A centralized medical record system and fantastic opportunities for large-scale research studies and wellness projects that could potentially benefit thousands of service members.
If the military isn't your cup of tea or you don't meet the qualifications, the PTA to DPT pathway is a cost-effective alternative provided by many institutions.
Case recommends the following next steps:
Thanks, can't wait to put this advice into action!
Keely
James Constantine Frangos
Consultant Dietitian & Software Developer since 1972 => Nutrition Education => Health & Longevity.
3844
Answers
Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
Updated
James Constantine’s Answer
Hi Keely,
I'm here to assist you in deciding if a physical therapy degree is a good use of your time and resources.
Becoming a physical therapist demands a substantial commitment of both time and money. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) states that the median annual salary for physical therapists in the US is about $87,000, with top earners pulling in over $124,000 per year. However, the cost of physical therapy school can vary from $30,000 to over $100,000 per year, depending on the school and its location.
You'll need to complete a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree program to become a physical therapist, which usually takes three years after earning a bachelor's degree. The DPT program covers a broad range of subjects, including anatomy, biomechanics, pharmacology, and clinical internships.
So, is it worth it? The answer is a definite yes, and here's why:
Job outlook: The need for physical therapists is high and growing. The BLS projects an 18% growth in physical therapist employment from 2020 to 2030, much faster than the average for all jobs. This means you'll have a variety of job opportunities in different settings, such as hospitals, clinics, and private practices, after earning your DPT degree.
Earning potential: As previously stated, physical therapists have a median annual salary of $87,000, with the highest earners making over $124,000 per year. This earning potential, coupled with the high demand for physical therapists, makes a career in this field a financially wise decision.
Personal satisfaction: Physical therapy is a rewarding career that allows you to assist people in recovering from injuries or illnesses, improving their mobility and functionality, and enhancing their overall quality of life. Many physical therapists find their work extremely satisfying and report a high level of job satisfaction.
Now, let's discuss some of the top colleges for physical therapy. Here are three authoritative reference books that can help you choose the right program:
"The Complete Guide to Physical Therapy Schools" by the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) - This thorough guide provides in-depth information on all accredited physical therapy programs in the US, including program requirements, curriculum, and clinical internship opportunities.
"Physical Therapy Programs: A Comprehensive Guide" by the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) - This guide provides a wealth of information on physical therapy programs, including application requirements, financial aid, and program outcomes.
"Best Graduate Schools for Physical Therapy" by U.S. News & World Report - This annual ranking provides a list of the top physical therapy programs in the US, based on factors such as academic reputation, research activity, and student selectivity.
In conclusion, a degree in physical therapy is a valuable investment. With high job prospects, great earning potential, and personal satisfaction, becoming a physical therapist can be a rewarding and financially beneficial career choice. When choosing a physical therapy program, make sure to research the best colleges and programs for your needs, using authoritative reference books like the ones mentioned above.
I hope this information has been useful, Keely! If you have any more questions or need more information, please feel free to ask.
May God Bless You Abundantly,
James Constantine.
I'm here to assist you in deciding if a physical therapy degree is a good use of your time and resources.
Becoming a physical therapist demands a substantial commitment of both time and money. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) states that the median annual salary for physical therapists in the US is about $87,000, with top earners pulling in over $124,000 per year. However, the cost of physical therapy school can vary from $30,000 to over $100,000 per year, depending on the school and its location.
You'll need to complete a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree program to become a physical therapist, which usually takes three years after earning a bachelor's degree. The DPT program covers a broad range of subjects, including anatomy, biomechanics, pharmacology, and clinical internships.
So, is it worth it? The answer is a definite yes, and here's why:
Job outlook: The need for physical therapists is high and growing. The BLS projects an 18% growth in physical therapist employment from 2020 to 2030, much faster than the average for all jobs. This means you'll have a variety of job opportunities in different settings, such as hospitals, clinics, and private practices, after earning your DPT degree.
Earning potential: As previously stated, physical therapists have a median annual salary of $87,000, with the highest earners making over $124,000 per year. This earning potential, coupled with the high demand for physical therapists, makes a career in this field a financially wise decision.
Personal satisfaction: Physical therapy is a rewarding career that allows you to assist people in recovering from injuries or illnesses, improving their mobility and functionality, and enhancing their overall quality of life. Many physical therapists find their work extremely satisfying and report a high level of job satisfaction.
Now, let's discuss some of the top colleges for physical therapy. Here are three authoritative reference books that can help you choose the right program:
"The Complete Guide to Physical Therapy Schools" by the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) - This thorough guide provides in-depth information on all accredited physical therapy programs in the US, including program requirements, curriculum, and clinical internship opportunities.
"Physical Therapy Programs: A Comprehensive Guide" by the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) - This guide provides a wealth of information on physical therapy programs, including application requirements, financial aid, and program outcomes.
"Best Graduate Schools for Physical Therapy" by U.S. News & World Report - This annual ranking provides a list of the top physical therapy programs in the US, based on factors such as academic reputation, research activity, and student selectivity.
In conclusion, a degree in physical therapy is a valuable investment. With high job prospects, great earning potential, and personal satisfaction, becoming a physical therapist can be a rewarding and financially beneficial career choice. When choosing a physical therapy program, make sure to research the best colleges and programs for your needs, using authoritative reference books like the ones mentioned above.
I hope this information has been useful, Keely! If you have any more questions or need more information, please feel free to ask.
May God Bless You Abundantly,
James Constantine.
Thank you for the advice, James Constantine.
Keely
Donna Calvert, PT, PhD
physical therapist
48
Answers
Mission, Kansas
Updated
Donna’s Answer
To become a PT, you will need to complete an undergrad degree, usually taking 4 years. Then you can apply to PT schools that will then be an additional 2.5-3 years finishing with a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree, which is a clinical doctorate, not a terminal, research degree. A DPT is the "entry-level" degree needed to practice physical therapy. Coursework in both your undergrad and grad program will be heavily in the sciences. Some schools that have DPT programs have "bridge" programs for those who get undergrad degrees at the same school that may decrease the time by a semester or two but often a student has to pre-qualify for those programs and adhere to GPA requirements to keep that pre-qualification.
To learn more about PT or becoming a Physical therapy assistant (which is a shorter program) go to the American Physical Therapy Website (apta.org) and look under "your career" tab. There will be a host of information there about schools, qualifications etc.
If you pursue PT, you are committing yourself to a competitive program, a heavy concentration on sciences, and possible debt upon graduation BUT you will have a profession you can practice all your life helping people achieve their highest levels of independence and function. It's not all about the money!
To learn more about PT or becoming a Physical therapy assistant (which is a shorter program) go to the American Physical Therapy Website (apta.org) and look under "your career" tab. There will be a host of information there about schools, qualifications etc.
If you pursue PT, you are committing yourself to a competitive program, a heavy concentration on sciences, and possible debt upon graduation BUT you will have a profession you can practice all your life helping people achieve their highest levels of independence and function. It's not all about the money!
I am really grateful you took the time to answer this question.
Keely
Matthew Hsu
Radiation Therapist/Radiologic Technologist
4
Answers
Puyallup, Washington
Updated
Matthew’s Answer
There are some hard truths when it comes to picking healthcare as a career. It has been extremely dramatized in general media. It is extremely rewarding and, although not lucrative, a stable source of income. Physical therapy is one of the most complicated forms of education when it comes to the level/type of licensures. I suggest looking up the difference between physical therapy aides, physical therapy assistants, and physical therapists. Each one comes with its own levels of education, training, and daily responsibilities.
The average/mean wages you look up online can be significantly skewed by where you live or the type of facility you work in. Some useful examples would be West Coast states paying more than Midwest States due to cost of living. If you're set on a specific state to live in, I suggest lookup up estimated wages specific to that state or area. Working for a private practice, non-profit, and for-profit all change the wages you will be making.
I have multiple friends and family members that are physical therapists or assistants. In complete honesty and transparency, an education path in physical therapy seems to be one of the worst options when you compare cost of education to wages when done. After a lot of licensure changes, physical therapists need a doctorate to practice now. Due to the nature of healthcare insurance payment and the length of time needed to treat patients, the payout sometimes doesn't add up as well as another form of doctorate degree. The cost of education has just become too high to recover at a reasonable rate.
That being said, if you are passionate about the field or were still curious, I highly suggest cold calling local therapy offices and seeing if you can shadow/have a discussion with the therapists. The path for an aide or assistant is different and seems to be moderate and are worth looking into. I would also look into occupational therapy if you haven't.
To answer the last portion of the questions. You will primarily focus on anatomy and techniques. Knowing how the body functions mechanically will be the primary focus. But also know what diseases affect movement and where they affect movement are important as well. Subjects like mathematics, chemistry, and physiology are mandatory. Especially since its a doctorate based licensure.
Hope that helps! Good luck and take care!
The average/mean wages you look up online can be significantly skewed by where you live or the type of facility you work in. Some useful examples would be West Coast states paying more than Midwest States due to cost of living. If you're set on a specific state to live in, I suggest lookup up estimated wages specific to that state or area. Working for a private practice, non-profit, and for-profit all change the wages you will be making.
I have multiple friends and family members that are physical therapists or assistants. In complete honesty and transparency, an education path in physical therapy seems to be one of the worst options when you compare cost of education to wages when done. After a lot of licensure changes, physical therapists need a doctorate to practice now. Due to the nature of healthcare insurance payment and the length of time needed to treat patients, the payout sometimes doesn't add up as well as another form of doctorate degree. The cost of education has just become too high to recover at a reasonable rate.
That being said, if you are passionate about the field or were still curious, I highly suggest cold calling local therapy offices and seeing if you can shadow/have a discussion with the therapists. The path for an aide or assistant is different and seems to be moderate and are worth looking into. I would also look into occupational therapy if you haven't.
To answer the last portion of the questions. You will primarily focus on anatomy and techniques. Knowing how the body functions mechanically will be the primary focus. But also know what diseases affect movement and where they affect movement are important as well. Subjects like mathematics, chemistry, and physiology are mandatory. Especially since its a doctorate based licensure.
Hope that helps! Good luck and take care!
Matthew, thank you!
Keely