How much education is required to become a physical therapist?
Typically one would expect to spend between 2 ½ – 3 full years after undergraduate school to become a physical therapist. Currently, an individual can receive a Master’s (MPT) or a Doctorate (DPT) degree in physical therapy. It is the vision of the American Physical Therapy Association that by the year 2020 the education of all physical therapists will be at the Doctorate level. Programs vary in length and structure, but all therapists must pass the same national licensure examination to be able to practice physical therapy.
