Physical Therapy Schools and Training

Becoming a physical therapist requires a great deal of education and hands-on experience. Practicing physical therapists not only have to be educated, but they also must pass a national licensing examination in order to be authorized to work in the industry. The use of physical therapy is being recognized as an increasingly effective means of improving one's health by insurance companies nationwide. Prospective physical therapy students should consider many issues when deciding on physical therapy schools and training.

A physical therapist is a medical professional who works with patients to increase (or stabilize) their physical motor skills, muscle development, and ability to put their bodies into motion. They work with patients who have incurred injuries from serious accidents or significant side effects from a heart attack or stroke. Some help patients rehabilitate or repair muscle tissues that have been affected by a debilitating illness, such as cerebral palsy or rheumatoid arthritis. Physical therapists implement exercise, diet and nutrition, and repetitive motion to aid their patients. Physical therapists plan out a patient's workout based on his individual needs and goals. The field of physical therapy is expected to grow significantly in the coming years, and an average salary is between $64,000 and $90,000.

Choosing the right physical therapy schools and training are essential to the success of future physical therapists. But to reap the benefits of a good school, one must first meet the prerequisites. Most physical therapy programs require students to have acquired a high school education (or the equivalent); a bachelor's degree in exercise science, physical education, kinesiology or a similar field (though other majors may be accepted); a pre-established GRE exam score; and a minimum grade point average. Students are advised to make sure they have met all the prerequisites before applying to physical therapy schools and training.

Most schools offer either a doctorate degree in physical therapy or a master's level program. Students should determine which program fits their needs and preferences before enrolling in a program. A master's degree takes less time (about one year less) than a doctorate program; however, a doctorate program provides a more comprehensive education and is more widely accepted by hospitals and medical centers throughout the United States.

The curriculum and course offerings are significant considerations when selecting physical therapy schools and training. Some students prefer to specialize in a particular field of physical therapy, so a school should offer classes and courses in that area in order to be a good fit for those students. A full curriculum of classes including physiology, kinesiology, anatomy, exercise science, fitness, communications, ethics, pediatric therapy, alternative techniques, and so forth should be offered in order to obtain a fully comprehensive education.

Select physical therapy schools and training based on their employment partnerships and internship opportunities. Real world experience is essential to becoming a good physical therapist, so a good school should include this option to work with patients as part of its program. Additionally, the partnerships a school has with other healthcare facilities may provide you with better opportunities for obtaining licensure and employment. Some schools offer a work/training opportunity for students to gain employment as an assistant as they are acquiring the final portion of their educations. This work setting allows students to become accustomed to working with patients with a variety of needs. From here, a student may decide to specialize or to work in general practice.

Check out the success rate of the school in question. Prospective students should ask about the licensure rate of graduates from physical therapy schools and training. If a school has a high licensure and employment placement rate, it indicates the school is effective with their curriculum and training procedures. However, if graduates do not have a high percentage of employment or licensure after graduation, it is a telling sign that the school is not providing quality education.

Finally, any school a student selects should be accredited. The Commission on Accreditation of Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) regulates accreditation standards for physical therapy schools and training. They are the only organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Because accreditation is difficult, only a little over 200 schools have accredited programs in the United States. Accredited programs have to meet standards such as qualified staff and faculty members, curriculum requirements, hands-on training opportunities, standardized codes of conduct, and continued excellence in education. Students who graduate from non-accredited schools may not be eligible to take the national licensing examination. Many employers do not employ physical therapists who have graduated from non-accredited physical therapy schools and training programs.