Should I pursue Master’s in physiotherapy?

One of the most common question I get asked is “Should I pursue master’s in physiotherapy”. In the past, we explored what are your options after getting your Bachelor’s degree. Today let’s look at the things to consider if you are not sure about pursuing master’s.

Master’s in physiotherapy

You can choose to get your master’s degree from India or abroad. If you get it from abroad, it may give you a slight edge when applying for jobs in India. Although it is way more expensive. In India, most of the master’s programs are for 2 years some may span for around 3 years. The available specializations include Musculoskeletal physiotherapy, neurological physiotherapy, cardiorespiratory physiotherapy, sports physiotherapy, community-based rehabilitation, and women’s health physiotherapy. Depending on the college, the course fee can be in the few thousands to 1-1.5 lakhs per year. 

Things to consider when deciding to pursue master’s in physiotherapy

• Passion
• Vision
• Finances

Passion

It is important to know where your interests lie. The internship is the best period to judge that. Think and see What type of patients you like to work with? In which clinical rotation your time just seemed to fly by? What are you most curious about? What do you like to learn more about? When you read research papers what type of articles are you easily drawn towards? It is important to figure out answers to these questions and know what you are passionate about.

If you are not sure you can choose to wait for another year or so. You can start working in the meanwhile and get some real-world experience to figure out your interests. Remember though, if you decide to pursue a master’s later, You will need to switch gears from working and making money to going back to college. It is difficult for some and not so much for others. 

Vision

What do you want to do when you start working? Do you want to start your own practice or you want to work for some organization? Do you want to become a professor? Where do you see yourself in 3 years? 5 years? It is important to know what your vision is for yourself. When you have clarity on this, then it will be a lot easier to make this decision.

If you want to be a professor or work for an organization, doing a master’s is a good idea. From what I know, the minimum qualification required for physiotherapy professors is a Master’s degree. If you want to work for a hospital or an organization, having a master’s may give you a lead in the job application process. If you plan to start your own clinic, a master’s degree is not an absolute must.

A Master’s degree will give you advanced knowledge in the chosen field but you can also choose to become more knowledgeable by taking specialized courses and workshops, working with experts in the field, and learning hands-on. My professors always used to say, ‘you learn the most in your clinical rotations, when you get your hands on the patients.’

Finances

Money can be a big problem for some. As I mentioned, the cost of a master’s education can be pretty high. It is also important to take into consideration that you will not be working full time when you are enrolled in the course. In this scenario, consider how much value will the masters add to your career in the long run. If it is not worth it, you may choose to start working and start saving money every month to later get enrolled in the curriculum or take the specialization courses.

You can also inquire about the scholarships offered by the college or other organizations in your area to support your career. If you score higher in your entrance exams, you may manage to get admission to a government-funded college where fees are not so high. A few colleges may offer some stipend while you are in the college. It is essential to inquire about the scholarships, fees, stipend beforehand so that you can make your decision accordingly.

Pros and cons of doing master’s in physiotherapy

Pros:

• Knowledge: Your master’s curriculum gives you advanced knowledge in the chosen specialty and makes you better equipped to treat patients.
• Higher pay: Candidates with a master’s degree are often offered more pay. Your master’s degree will also give you an edge when you are applying for a job and can put you ahead of other candidates who don’t have a master’s.
• You can get into academics: This opens a whole new career path. Most of the colleges in India require their professors to hold master’s degree. 

Cons:

• A number of years – Doing a master’s means continue to be in the college for 2 more years. Some are ready to wave college goodbye immediately after their bachelor’s.
• Cost – Pursuing a master’s adds to the cost of education. This cost can be high, even in a few Lakhs, depending on which college you get enrolled into.
• You are likely to make a no or a little money while you are still in college-You will not be working full time. You may see others of your age already working, getting promoted, starting their own business while you are still studying. It can be frustrating for some. A handful of colleges will give you a stipend that may cover your monthly expenses partially.  This affects your income when you are studying.

Conclusion

There is no clear answer to this question. Sit down down and try to figure out the following:

• What am I passionate about?
• Where do I see myself in the future?
• Do I have the resources, money and time to pursue masters?

No matter if you get a master’s degree or not, never stop learning. Receiving a master’s degree is not the end of the journey. There is always room to learn and grow irrespective of your age, experience, and qualifications.