Help. Need Advice on Masters Degrees in Physical Therapy in the USA. and ?´S About My PT Degree Convalidation.?

Question by sebastian: Help. Need advice on Masters Degrees in Physical Therapy in the USA. And ?´s about my PT degree convalidation.?
I am about a third of the way through my studies in Costa Rica, to be a licentiate (I dont know the exact translation) it´s a degree that is after bachelor, but before masters. For example, our PT program for “bachelor” is 2.5 years long, however one cannot work as a PT with a bachelors degree as this is more “symbolic”, one must graduate as a licentiate to work as a PT in clinics, hospitals, etc which takes another 1.5 years. This is also because “bachelor” is mainly theoretical focusing on subjects such as anatomy, neuroanatomy, functional anatomy, kinesiology, sports physiology, biomechanics, physical agents, massage therapy, orthopedics and traumatology, medical pathologies 1, 2, 3, etc.. While “Licentiate” is putting all that into practice with subjects such as “Applied PT 1, 2, 3” “PT in community” “PT applied to neurology” “PT evaluation techniques”.Making the total career length to be 4 years. I dont know if it can be understood. — SEE BELOW–!!

In Costa Rica, after you are a “licentiate” you are basically like a “General” PT. Having knowledge in most fields including sports, massage, neurology, geriatrics, pediatric, hospitals, clinics, etc. However if one wants to “specialize” in anything we go for the Masters Degree which is aprox. 2 more years. For example, if I would like to specialize in “Sports Rehab” or “Neurological Rehab” “cardiovascular rehab” I would aspire to study an extra 2 years and get my masters degree on that particular specialization.

I would like to specialize in another country, such as the USA (I am a USA citizen which would also make it easier), so I would like to know what must I do to aspire for a masters degree over there?

What confuses me however is that I have spoken to many PT´s online, graduates from a USA university and it all seems confusing, so I don´t really understand HOW I can with a foreign title aspire to get a M.D. in the USA. For example some have told me that the study plan is way different in bachelors/licentiate over there, others have told me that you have to go through some “pre med” school first, others have told me that over there there is no such thing as a “specialization” and that a PT graduates as a doctorate already. So I am pretty confused, as OBVIOUSLY things work differently.

I would like to know. Does my “licentiate” convalidate over there, or no because of the differences in the programs? What must I do to have mine convalidated? Also is it possible that I can go over there with my licentiate from over here and apply to “specialize” and get a masters degree in any particular field? What tests must I do to get accepted into a university?

I would also like to know what aprox. price ranges does it cost to get a masters degree in PT in the USA per subject. I know community colleges are cheaper, are community colleges good universities?

This is the study plan for bachelors and licentiate in my university. Its in spanish but its understandable, however I will translate to the best of my ability below. Please tell me if it is similar or drastically different to the program in the USA. http://www.uspsantapaula.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=67

1 block: anatomy, general biology, physics, integral rehab (introduction to PT)
2: physiology, neuroanatomy, enfermery, general medicine
3: general psychology, neurophysiology, functional anatomy, medical pathology
4: medical pathology 2, traumatology and orthopedics, exercise physiology, applied psychology
5: psychiatry, ethics, sports and recreation, medical pathology 3
6: kinesiology and biomechanics, intervention in health methods 1, epidemiology, statistics and investigation methods.
7: biomechanic agents, physical agents, neurodevelopment normal and pathological, every day activities, and massage therapy.

— This takes 2.5 years and will grant you a bachelor degree —

1: evaluation techniques 1, electrotherapy, therapeutic exercises 1, applied PT 1
2: evaluation techniques 2, supervised practice 1, intervention in health 2, applied PT 2
3: applied PT 3, supervised practice 2, practice in community 1, therapeutic exercises 2.
4: supervised practice 3, practice in community 2, applied PT 4, neuromuscular facilitation techniques, propiosceptive techniques.

— this takes 1.5 years, licentiate degree, and grants you the ability to work in clincs and hospitals —

what is this title/program equivalent to in the USA? “general PT” , “assistant PT” ?? And is it good ? Or lacking many things?

THANK YOU.
I realize my concerns are pretty confusing and I apologize for that, its just that every country differs in terms of education and I know the system in the USA is pretty different. I just want someone to help me understand it, and I would like to know if I get my licentiate in Costa Rica if I could either, 1) get in convalidated and continue studying in the USA to get a masters/doctorates or 2) work over there having a foreign title.

my email is [email protected] if anyone would like to help me through personal messege.

Best answer:

Answer by Diane A
First, a masters can not be achieved at a community college, only a university with a dedicated PT program; and in the US it is a DPT (a doctorate of physical therapy). You do not get a MD or go to med school (you have that in your 4th paragraph), that is completely different from physical therapy. However, PTs are licensed individually by the state, so you would have to contact the state and see if you qualify for license. There also must be a professional PT organization (try google if no PT answers here) and write to them with all this above.

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Tags: costa rica, pediatric rehab, pain management, neurological rehabilitation, sinai hospital of baltimore, doctorate of physical therapy