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Become
a Physical Therapist
Physical therapist programs
are offered as a master's (MPT, MSPT, MS) or doctoral (DPT)
degree from an accredited physical therapy program. In order
for a person to be admitted to a DPT, MPT, MSPT, or MS program
they must first either fully obtain, or have been working at
least three years towards an undergraduate baccalaureate accredited
degree. According to the American Physical Therapy Association,
there are over 205 accredited physical therapist programs in
the United States.
Click
here for a list of Physical Therapy Assocations for each state.
Physical therapy programs are different from state to state
and each has specific curriculum that needs to be completed
in order to graduate. Before a person can be accepted into the
program, they must first successfully pass some general education
classes that will help them prepare for the physical therapy
program. These classes may include but are not limited to; Psychology,
Biology, Physics, Chemistry, Statistics, English, Professional
Writing, and Humanities. After a person is accepted into the
program the courses will become more focused on the physical
therapy practice. These will include basic and clinical medical
science courses and emphasize the theory and practice of physical
therapy. In addition to classroom learning the program will
also require students to apply and incorporate what they have
learned through hands on clinical education in various physical
therapy settings.
Once you graduate from a Physical Therapy Program, you must
then pass a state administered national exam. Upon passing the
Physical Therapy exam they will need to meet any additional
requirements their state licensing board may have, before they
will allow you to practice.
Click
here for a list of Physical Therapy Assocations for each state.
Click
here for a list of Physical Therapy CE Requirements for each state.
Physical therapists are expected to continue their professional
development by participating in continuing education courses
and workshops. In fact, a number of states require continuing
education as a condition of maintaining licensure.
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