Physical Therapy Assistant School

Attending a physical therapy assistant school may be a good option if you are interested in physical therapy but not quite sure that you want to commit to becoming a full time therapist.

In order to become a physical therapy assistant you would need to obtain an associate's degree from an accredited program. There are over 240 programs in the country that offer this degree. This usually takes two years, though depending on the school and the program it could be slightly longer or shorter. Most courses and colleges also have field experience and clinical work involved in the program, so it would provide some real work experience as well as taking classes.

Just like in any program, where you decide to go to college with affect how much it costs. The two year program can range from $7,000 to $15,000 depending on where you attend college, the prestige and reputation of the school, and where you live. However, keep in mind that there will be additional fees for the clinical section of the course, and for textbooks, etc.

If you're looking to become an actual physical therapist some day, a PTA school might not be worth it. To become a physical therapist you would need to complete college and receive a master's degree in physical therapy, so if that is your goal it might be best to just pursue that plan of action right away. Going through an assistant program will allow you to do more and make more money than just being a PT aide - sometimes almost twice as much money. If you want to be involved in the business but you don't want to go to graduate school or you don't have a bachelor's, assistant school is probably a smart move.