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The physical therapist assistant profession is a distinct, rewarding, and fulfilling career pathway within the physical therapy field. Physical therapist assistants interested in furthering their careers outside of pursuing a DPT can pursue APTA's PTA Advanced Proficiency Pathways program, the premier program for APTA members to increase their knowledge and skill in up to eight areas of physical therapy. While the majority of PTAs remain in the profession and find long-term career satisfaction, some choose to transition to becoming physical therapists.
For PTAs who aspire to become physical therapists, there is a pathway to transition into a Doctor of Physical Therapy program. Each year, approximately 2% of PTCAS applicants are PTAs seeking career advancement.
Because PTA and DPT curricula are designed to prepare students for different professional roles, PTAs interested in becoming physical therapists must complete additional educational requirements before applying to a DPT program. These requirements often include prerequisite coursework and other admissions criteria established by individual DPT programs.
The transition from PTA to physical therapist allows individuals to build upon their clinical experience while expanding their knowledge, responsibilities, and career opportunities within the profession. Careful academic planning can help PTAs successfully navigate the requirements and achieve their goal of becoming a licensed PT.
For those considering the transition from PTA to PT, here are the best next steps.
Bridge Programs
There are currently several Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education accredited bridge educational programs that incorporate the PTA's knowledge, skills, and experience into their curricula. Learn about PTA to PT Bridge Programs.
Bridge programs are designed to help licensed PTAs leverage their clinical experience, prior coursework, and professional knowledge as they pursue a DPT degree. Admission requirements vary by program and may include a minimum GPA, prior work experience, completion of specific prerequisite courses, and, in some cases, a bachelor's degree.
Additional information about PTA-to-DPT bridge programs can be found in the PTCAS Directory. The directory provides detailed information on program requirements, admission criteria, curriculum structure, and other important details to help prospective students identify programs that align with their educational and professional goals.
Prerequisites
Prior PTA and general education course credits may fulfill prerequisites for PT programs. Those courses typically need to be less than seven to 10 years old. PTAs who wish to transition to a PT education program may need to complete additional course prerequisites, such as advanced biology, chemistry, physics, psychology, math, and/or electives. Most DPT programs require applicants to have a bachelor's degree, and some require the Graduate Record Examination, or GRE.
PT students who were formerly PTAs report that the knowledge, skills, and experience obtained while working as a PTA contribute greatly to their learning. PTAs often easily meet the physical therapist observation hours required by physical therapy programs and have related expertise. For some programs, it may also be necessary to complete additional volunteer (unpaid) physical therapist observation hours or seek experience in a different clinical setting to be eligible for consideration in the admissions process.
BS Completion Degrees
A growing number of colleges with PTA programs are developing articulation agreements with baccalaureate degree programs within their institution or with other colleges/universities that lead to health-related bachelor's degrees.
These programs offer PTAs the opportunity to gain advanced knowledge in areas within, e.g., geriatrics, or related to physical therapy, e.g., business administration, education, and/or prepare the PTA to apply to a graduate program in physical therapy. Other trends in physical therapist education include an online component of the curriculum and weekend programs.
Getting Started
Visit our webpages about becoming a physical therapist and the admissions process to learn more.
Contact pta@apta.org if you have questions.