Q&A for How to Become a Physical Therapist

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  • Question
    Do physical therapists go to med school?
    Eric Christensen, DPT
    Physical Therapist
    Eric Christensen is a Physical Therapist based in Chandler, Arizona. With over a decade of experience, Eric works in both orthopedic and neurological fields and specializes in custom orthotic prescription and casting, vestibular reprogramming, and manual therapy. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science with a focus in Sports Medicine from Colorado State University and a Doctor of Physical Therapy from Regis University. In practice, Eric takes a developmental approach to rehabilitation utilizing the Selective Functional Movement Assessment. He uses functional movement patterning and manual therapy to return patients to prior levels of function.
    Physical Therapist
    Expert Answer
    Students actually go to a specific school for physical therapy. You'll need to take the GRE after getting your undergraduate degree, and then you'll need to apply to physical therapy schools through the Physical Therapy Centralized Application Service (PTCAS).
  • Question
    What are the requirements to get into PT school?
    Eric Christensen, DPT
    Physical Therapist
    Eric Christensen is a Physical Therapist based in Chandler, Arizona. With over a decade of experience, Eric works in both orthopedic and neurological fields and specializes in custom orthotic prescription and casting, vestibular reprogramming, and manual therapy. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science with a focus in Sports Medicine from Colorado State University and a Doctor of Physical Therapy from Regis University. In practice, Eric takes a developmental approach to rehabilitation utilizing the Selective Functional Movement Assessment. He uses functional movement patterning and manual therapy to return patients to prior levels of function.
    Physical Therapist
    Expert Answer
    All schools require you to have a certain number of observation hours, along with letters of recommendation. Usually, schools want a letter from someone in the PT field and someone from a non-PT work setting, along with a personal recommendation.
  • Question
    What would you major in to become a physical therapist?
    Eric Christensen, DPT
    Physical Therapist
    Eric Christensen is a Physical Therapist based in Chandler, Arizona. With over a decade of experience, Eric works in both orthopedic and neurological fields and specializes in custom orthotic prescription and casting, vestibular reprogramming, and manual therapy. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science with a focus in Sports Medicine from Colorado State University and a Doctor of Physical Therapy from Regis University. In practice, Eric takes a developmental approach to rehabilitation utilizing the Selective Functional Movement Assessment. He uses functional movement patterning and manual therapy to return patients to prior levels of function.
    Physical Therapist
    Expert Answer
    Go for an Exercise Science or Kinesiology major, which are feeder programs for PT that include all of the important prerequisites, like anatomy, biochemistry, physiology, and more.
  • Question
    Does physical therapy require a doctorate?
    Eric Christensen, DPT
    Physical Therapist
    Eric Christensen is a Physical Therapist based in Chandler, Arizona. With over a decade of experience, Eric works in both orthopedic and neurological fields and specializes in custom orthotic prescription and casting, vestibular reprogramming, and manual therapy. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science with a focus in Sports Medicine from Colorado State University and a Doctor of Physical Therapy from Regis University. In practice, Eric takes a developmental approach to rehabilitation utilizing the Selective Functional Movement Assessment. He uses functional movement patterning and manual therapy to return patients to prior levels of function.
    Physical Therapist
    Expert Answer
    Physical therapy requires an intensive, year-round, 2.5 - 3 year program. At the end of the program, you'll receive a Doctor in Physical Therapy (DPT).
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