Physical Therapy Schools

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Physcial Therapists Can Make Over $104,350!
See How You Can Get Started in This High Paying Career

If you are interested in working with patients to help them restore and maintain fitness and health, then physical therapy might be the career for you!

Physical Therapists and Physical Therapist Assistants are in demand. With job opportunities expected to grow more than 27% through 2014, physical therapists and physical therapist assistants may be able to find work in hospitals, private offices, clinics, schools, or even with sports teams. Whether you decide to work with a variety of patients, or specialize in an area such as pediatrics or geriatrics, physical therapy can be an incredibly rewarding and fun career!

Job Description:
Both physical therapists and physical therapist assistants work with patients of all ages who suffer from disabilities caused by accidents, injuries, or chronic medical conditions. Physical therapists prescribe a range of treatments to help patients relieve pain, restore or improve function and mobility, and prevent permanent physical disabilities. Treatments often include exercises to increase strength, flexibility, and endurance; electrical stimulation; and massages, hot and cold packs, paraffin baths, or ultrasound to alleviate pain. Physical therapy assistants generally carry out the treatments under the direction and supervision of physical therapists.

Education Requirements:
To become a physical therapist or physical therapist assistant, you’ll need training in basic sciences like biology and chemistry, as well as clinical instruction. As the ones in charge of diagnosing and determining a treatment plan, physical therapists need at least a bachelor’s degree with courses in human growth and development, examination techniques, and therapeutic procedures. In addition, physical therapist professionals must pass a licensure exam to practice in any state. Physical therapist (PT) assistants only need a 2-year associate’s degree in physical therapy, and more than 40 states require assistants to be licensed, certified, or registered.

Salary:
Physical therapy is an increasingly in-demand job, as advances in medical treatment allow people to live longer and overcome previously fatal illnesses or injuries. In addition to having great job stability, physical therapy is also a well-paid profession. The average annual salary of U.S. physical therapists was $72,790 - in May 2008, with the highest 10% earning more than $104,350 per year. Physical therapist assistants earned an average of $54,590 in the same time period, with the highest 10% earning more than $63,830 annually.

Things to Consider When Choosing a Physical Therapy Program

Physical Therapy image

  • Currently, only graduate degree physical therapist programs are accredited. Master's degree programs typically are 2 to 2.5 years in length, while doctoral degree programs last 3 years.
  • Physical therapist education programs include foundational science courses, such as biology, cellular histology, exercise physiology, anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, neuroscience, pathology, biomechanics, and radiology/imaging, as well as behavioral science courses, such as evidence-based practice and clinical reasoning.
  • Physical therapists are expected to continue their professional development by participating in continuing education courses and workshops. Some physical therapists become board certified in a clinical specialty.

Site Map

View the featured schools in your state. Click a state below:

Florida / New Hampshire / Pennyslvania / Utah / Virginia / Canada
 Florida Schools
Keiser University (Ft.Lauderdale ,Melbourne ) - Occupational Therapy Assistant, Physical Therapist Assistant
University of Phoenix (Fort Lauderdale , Jacksonville, Orlando , Tampa ) - Health Administration, Nursing, MBA Health Care Management
Virginia College (Pensacola) - Medical Assistant, Medical Billing and Coding, Pharmacy Technician, Practical Nursing, Surgical Technology
Everest Institute (Hialeah) Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographer - Non-Invasive Cardiovascular Technology, Diagnostic Medical Sonography, Medical Assistant, Medical Billing & Coding, Surgical Technology
Florida Career College Physical Therapist Assistant
 New Hampshire Schools
Hesser College (Concord, Manchester, Nashua, Portsmouth, Salem) - Medical Assistant, Physical Therapy Assistant
 Pennsylvania Schools
Kaplan University (Pittsburgh) - Occupational Therapy Assistant, Physical Therapist Assistant
 Utah Schools
Provo College (Provo) - Physical Therapist Assistant, Medical Assisting
 Virginia Schools
Medical Careers Institute (Newport News , Richmond , Virginia Beach ) - Physical Therapy Assisting, Medical Assisting, Medical Office Specialist
Canada Schools
Everest College Physiotherapist Assistant / Occupational Therapist Assistant, Medical Administrative Assistant, Medical Office, AssistantRehabilitation Therapy Assistan
  Ontario: Barrie, Brampton, Hamilton City Centre, Hamilton Mountain, London, Mississauga, Nepean, Newmarket, North York, Ottawa East, Scarborough, Sudbury, Thunder Bay, Toronto Central, Toronto College Park, Windsor
Quebec: Laval , Montreal , Quebec City
  Nova Scotia: Halifax
Alberta: Calgary City Centre , Calgary North , Edmonton City Centre
  British Columbia: Abbotsford, Burnaby, Surrey, Vancouver
Manitoba: Winnipeg


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JOBS FOR PHYSICAL THERAPISTS

spacerEmployment of physical therapists is expected to grow by 30 percent from 2008 to 2018, much faster than the average for all occupations. Changes to restrictions on reimbursement will increase patient access to services and, thus, increase demand.

- Bureau of Labor Statistics



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