Physical Therapy Degree | Physical Therapy Schools

Physical Therapy Degree | Physical Therapy Schools | Our TOP Recommendations
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Physical therapists offer services that help improve mobility, restore function, relieve pain, and limit or prevent permanent physical disabilities of patients suffering from disease or illness. Their patients may include individuals with disabling conditions such as low-back pain, heart disease, arthritis, fractures, cerebral palsy, and head injuries, as well as accident victims.

• Nature of the Work - Therapists study patients’ medical histories and then test and measure the patients’ range of motion, strength, posture, balance and coordination, muscle performance, motor function, and respiration. Physical therapists then build plans outlining a treatment method and its expected outcome.
• Physical Therapy Schools - In 2007, there were 209 accredited physical therapist education programs. Of the accredited programs, 43 provided master’s degrees and 166 provided doctoral degrees. Among the undergraduate classes that are beneficial to a physical therapist education program are biology, anatomy, chemistry, physics, social science, and mathematics.
• Licensing - All states have regulations regarding physical therapy practice. Common requirements for a license include graduation from an accredited physical therapist education program and passing scores on state and national licensure exams. Special eligibility requirements for licensure differ from state to state.
  
  

Physical Therapy Degree | Physical Therapy Schools and Training

Physical therapist education programs begin with basic science courses such as physics, biology, and chemistry, and then move on to specialized courses, including neuroanatomy, biomechanics, human growth and development, examination techniques, manifestations of disease, and therapeutic procedures. In addition to gaining classroom and laboratory instruction, students also gain supervised clinical experience.

People pursuing a job as a physical therapist typically need a master’s degree from an accredited physical therapy program and a state license that requires passing scores on state and national exams.

Master’s degree and doctoral degree programs are the only degree programs accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education. A doctoral degree could end up becoming the required entry-level degree. Master’s degree programs usually last 2 years, and doctoral degree programs usually last 3 years.

On top of laboratory and classroom instruction, students are able to receive supervised clinical experience.

Among the undergraduate courses that are beneficial when applying to a physical therapist education program are biology, anatomy, chemistry, physics, social science, and mathematics. Prior to granting admission, many programs expect students to volunteer in the physical therapy department of a clinic or hospital. High school students can volunteer with the school athletic trainer to gain valuable experience.


Physical Therapy Degree - Schools - Graduate - Job Outlook

Employment of physical therapists is anticipated to increase much faster than average. Job opportunities will be good, particularly in rehabilitation, acute hospital, and orthopedic facilities.

Job outlooks will be good for licensed physical therapists in all industries. Job opportunities should be especially good in rehabilitation, acute hospital, and orthopedic facilities, where older people are likely to be treated treated. Physical therapists with specialized understanding of certain types of treatment also will have great job opportunities.

Employment of physical therapists is anticipated to increase 27 percent from 2006 to 2016, much faster than the average for all careers. Proposed Federal legislation imposing reimbursement limits for therapy services may negatively impact the short-term job outlook for physical therapists. However, in the long-run, the demand for physical therapists should continue to rise as new techniques and treatments broaden the scope of physical therapy services. Also, demand will be boosted by the growing numbers of people with limited functions or disabilities.


Physical Therapy Degree - Schools - Graduates - Earnings Statistics

The U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that in May 2006, average annual incomes of physical therapists were $66,000. The middle 50 percent made between $55,050 and $78,050. The bottom 10 percent made less than $46,500, and the top 10 percent made more than $94,750.

Average annual incomes in the industries employing the greatest numbers of physical therapists in May 2006 were: home health care services $70,500, nursing care facilities $68,500, general medical and surgical hospitals $66,500, offices of physical, occupational and speech therapists, offices of physicians $65,500, and audiologists $65,000.


Physical Therapy Schools and Colleges

There are an excellent number of choices for attaining your Physical Therapy Degree. Online schools and colleges now provide the same curriculum as the traditional education. Learning online provides you with so much more flexibility to suit your lifestyle and current employment. We include our top recommendations for schools and classes where you can earn your Physical Therapy Degree.


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