Sergio Said:

How to be an athletic physical therpaist?

We Answered:

This is a very small niche...probably achieved by less than 1 % of those in the field. However, this is my own best guess and not an official statistic.

You will probably want to take the following track after graduating from a PT program:

1. Prepare and sit for the othopedic clinical specialist exam...you can sit for these exams two years after practicing and spending at least 2000 hours employed in the orthopedic setting.

2. Persue a manual therapy certification...usually a 2 year program with a residency to complete. Also consider MDT certification and possibly becoming a diplomate.

3. Obtain a sports medicine speicialist certification (again, you can begin this 2 years after graduating).

4. Publish....

5. Consider an advanced masters or doctoral degree (above and beyond the DPT)


Considering all of the above...don't expect to make it to that type of position until you've got a good 15 years in the field...

You'll need to put in your dues at a clinic that specializes in catering to athletes and those who are recovering from orthopedically related injuries.

Clara Said:

Are there any grad schools that let you get a degree in athletic training and physical therapy?

We Answered:

Many schools....you would do your athletic training as your BS and PT as your graduate degree. You might need to take a couple extra science courses as most ATC programs don't quite cover all the PT prerequisites.

I'd start by going to www.apta.org and click on the PT programs link...then check to see if a school you are interested in also has an ATC program. However, you do not have to complete you ATC and PT degree in the same school. You can always transfer as a graduate student.

Roger Said:

can you transition from a physical therapy assistant to an athletic trainer?

We Answered:

You can always transition, but the courses you take for ATC do not co-incide with the PTA degree other than both degrees require basic biology and English rhetoric/composition.

You might get a few credits towards kinesiology, CPR, etc.

I've included links to a couple programs with which I am familiar so you can compare and contrast.

Athletic training:

http://catalog.niu.edu/preview_program.p…

PTA:

http://www.oakton.edu/acad/dept/pta/prer…

Chad Said:

What should I major in prior to getting a Doctors of Physical Therapy?

We Answered:

Phone or write to a careers adviser at the Central Michigan University and ask them what one is more preferable for job opportunities.
Phone people who you would consider to be a future employer and ask them what is preferable, Kinesiology or Athletic Training.

Louis Said:

athletic training or physical therapy?

We Answered:

Athletic Training: Pros: generally, your primary setting is working with athletes. If this is your desired setting, you'll set very little outside the athletic population. Generally, a "fun" atmosphere...attendance at athletic events, etc. Competition to get into an athletic training program is very low (ie, it's easy to get it). Cons: Everyone wants to be an ATC, as such, jobs are scarce, pay is minimal. The education is much shorter as compared to a PT, but requires a lot of field practice...usually while you are still taking classes. Finally, the hours often require you to work many evenings and weekends. If following an elite team, you'll have to work over holidays for tournaments, etc.

Physical therapy: Pros: You can certainly work with an athletic population, but jobs where you ONLY work with this population are competitive. However, no matter your setting, PTs generally have a high job satisfaction rating. Pay is much more comfortable as a PT (almost twice that as an ATC). Jobs are plentiful and only some weekends and holidays are required and will depend largely on your work setting. CONS: very competitive educational program, lengthy education that some argue is not worth the salary (although it's still pretty good compared to other jobs).

A consideration you might have is to get your undergraduate degree as an athletic training, and then go to grad school for PT.