I would like to pursue a physical therapy degree while in college. After much research, I am now wondering whether it is possible to become a physical therapist AND an occupational therapist as well.
Physical therapy now requires a DPT (Doctorate in Physical Therapy) for licensing. You need to first earn an undergrad degree while fulfilling DPT admission requirements. Then a DPT takes 4 years to complete.
So, to become a physical therapist takes at least 8 years of education & training. Admission to PT is very competitive, requiring strong grades and hands-on clinical experience in PT settings.
OT also requires a graduate degree for licensing, in most cases a MS, although some jobs and some states are now requiring a OTD (Doctorate in Occupational Therapy). Just as with PT programs, OT programs require a bachelor’s degree and fulfilling a specific set of pre-requisite classes (which, btw, are not the same as those required for PT programs). A MS in OT takes 2 years to complete; a OTD takes 4 years to complete
So, to become a occupational therapists it takes at least 6 years and as many as 8 years of training. Admission to OT programs is competitive and also requires hands-on clinical experience in OT settings.
So to answer your question:
Yes, it is possible, but it’s not really practical since you will spend too many years preparing for 2 very different career pathways.
Many direct entry PT programs can be completed in 6 years with a DPT.