How hard Is it to become a physical therapist?

Question

For a guy who isn't sharp in the math department, would physical therapy be a impossible field be successful in?

Answer 1

You'll need to get a good handle on trig and/or calculus so you can do well in physics.  Once you understand the basic concepts in physics, you won't necessarily be doing any physics problems once in the PT program, but you need to understand torque, force, electrical fields, etc.  So, you just need to do well enough to get a good grade in the prerequisite courses. After that, it's the conceptual knowedge that's important.  

You'll also need to be somewhat proficient in basic statistics which I feel is much easier than trig and calc.  You will use statistics in PT.  

Answer 2

Math and anatomy is key.  Visit your local pt office and network with the head of the practice.  It is best to talk to those who actually have a degree in this field.

Answer 3

Physical therapists need a master’s degree from an accredited physical therapy program and a State license, requiring passing scores on national and State examinations.

Education and training. According to the American Physical Therapy Association, there were 209 accredited physical therapist education programs in 2007. Of the accredited programs, 43 offered master’s degrees and 166 offered doctoral degrees. Only master’s degree and doctoral degree programs are accredited, in accordance with the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education. In the future, a doctoral degree might be the required entry-level degree. Master’s degree programs typically last 2 years, and doctoral degree programs last 3 years.

Physical therapist education programs start with basic science courses such as biology, chemistry, and physics and then introduce specialized courses, including biomechanics, neuroanatomy, human growth and development, manifestations of disease, examination techniques, and therapeutic procedures. Besides getting classroom and laboratory instruction, students receive supervised clinical experience.

Among the undergraduate courses that are useful when one applies to a physical therapist education program are anatomy, biology, chemistry, social science, mathematics, and physics. Before granting admission, many programs require volunteer experience in the physical therapy department of a hospital or clinic. For high school students, volunteering with the school athletic trainer is a good way to gain experience.

Licensure. All States require physical therapists to pass national and State licensure exams before they can practice. They must also graduate from an accredited physical therapist education program.

Other qualifications. Physical therapists should have strong interpersonal skills so that they can educate patients about their physical therapy treatments and communicate with patients’ families. Physical therapists also should be compassionate and possess a desire to help patients.

Advancement. Physical therapists are expected to continue their professional development by participating in continuing education courses and workshops. In fact, a number of States require continuing education as a condition of maintaining licensure.

Answer 4

no you can do it, but you better be good at biology. I took 2 years of my kinesiology, aloooot of biology, but theres some cool courses too, like P.E which is kickass, and some english and stuff like that.

Answer 5

If you're not really good at math, it's probably going to be a big speed bump for you to get over.

How badly do you want to be a P.A.?

This wouldn't be impossible at all! It will just take a little extra power and drive to accomplish.

I'm in the process of getting my Massage Therapy Certificate... there is no math involved, which is good, because I completely suck at math.

If you get into the P.A. program and find that it is actually too difficult, try becoming an M.T. They are relatively similar programs, masseuses still get great pay and I don't think that M.T. programs take as long to complete.

Either way, I wish you luck! :D