Physical Therapist PHD Program Information
Physical therapist Ph.D. programs typically take about three years to complete. Graduates can pursue physical therapy roles in a variety of settings, including hospitals, fitness centers and rehabilitation facilities. The American Physical Therapy Association recommends that practicing physical therapists hold a doctorate degree.
Doctor of Physical Therapy
Physical therapists work with patients of varying conditions, including spinal cord and traumatic brain injuries, cancer, neurological impairments and cardiac complications. Through physical therapy Ph.D. programs, students learn to test and evaluate factors such as a patient's motor function, muscle performance and range of motion. Through a mix of classes and clinical experiences, Ph.D. candidates also learn treatment techniques, including joint and soft tissue mobilization and cardiovascular endurance training, that can result in improved mobility, pain reduction and prevention of permanent disability. They also may choose to specialize in an area such as pediatrics, sports medicine or geriatric care. Ph.D. graduates are eligible to sit for national and state licensure exams in physical therapy.
Education Prerequisites
Applicants to doctorate programs in physical therapy must hold a bachelor's degree from an accredited 4-year university. Other prerequisites include courses in anatomy and physiology, physics, psychology and biological sciences. Other recommended classes include exercise physiology and kinesiology. Most programs require students to have supervised physical therapy experience and a respectable grade-point average and GRE scores.
Program Coursework
With a heavy emphasis on movement sciences, common courses in a physical therapist Ph.D. program include:
- Human anatomy
- Health care management
- Pathophysiology
- Therapeutic exercise
- Cardiopulmonary therapeutics
- Health care economics
- Musculoskeletal therapeutics
- Intervention skills
- Neuroscience
- Clinical orthopedics
Popular Career Options
A physical therapy Ph.D. prepares students to work as physical therapists in a variety of settings, including:
- Hospitals
- Outpatient facilities
- Home health care
- Sports medicine facilities
- Fitness centers
- Nursing homes
- Rehabilitation centers
- Pediatric facilities
- Children's hospitals
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4 Popular Schools
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Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Must be a high school graduate or have completed GED
School locations:
- Online Learning
Online Programs
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Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Must have either two or more years of college or active military status if you are under 24 years of age
School locations:
- Online Learning
Online Programs
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Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Must be 21 years of age or older and have completed some college or 24 years of age or older and a high school graduate for a Bachelor's degree
- Masters degree applicants must have a Bachelors degree
- Doctorate degree applicants must have a Masters degree
School locations:
- Online Learning
Online Programs
- Doctorate
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Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Applicants must have a bachelor's degree or higher
School locations:
- Online Learning
Online Programs
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Doctorate
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- Doctorate in Healthcare Management & Leadership
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Other Schools:
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School locations:
- Michigan (1 campus)
Areas of study you may find at University of Michigan include:
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- Graduate: Doctorate, Master
- Undergraduate: Bachelor
- Medical and Health Professions
- Clinical Laboratory Science Professions
- Medical Administrative Services
- Medical Assisting
- Medical Diagnostic and Treatment Professions
- Nursing Professions
- Public Health and Safety
- Therapeutic and Rehabilitation Professions
- Physical Therapy
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School locations:
- Arizona (1 campus)
Areas of study you may find at Northern Arizona University include:
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- Graduate: Doctorate, Master
- Non-Degree: Certificate
- Post Degree Certificate: Postbaccalaureate Certificate
- Undergraduate: Bachelor
- Medical and Health Professions
- Communication Disorders Sciences
- Dental
- Health and Fitness
- Medical Administrative Services
- Medical Diagnostic and Treatment Professions
- Nursing Professions
- Therapeutic and Rehabilitation Professions
- Physical Therapy
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School locations:
- Virginia (1 campus)
Areas of study you may find at Virginia Commonwealth University include:
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- Graduate: Doctorate, First Professional Degree, Master
- Non-Degree: Diploma
- Post Degree Certificate: Postbaccalaureate Certificate
- Undergraduate: Bachelor
- Medical and Health Professions
- Clinical Laboratory Science Professions
- Dental
- Medical Administrative Services
- Medical Diagnostic and Treatment Professions
- Medical Residency Programs
- Mental Health Services
- Nursing Professions
- Pharmaceutical Sciences and Administration
- Public Health and Safety
- Therapeutic and Rehabilitation Professions
- Occupational Therapy
- Physical Therapy
- Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor
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School locations:
- Delaware (1 campus)
Areas of study you may find at University of Delaware include:
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- Graduate: Doctorate, Master
- Undergraduate: Associate, Bachelor
- Medical and Health Professions
- Health and Fitness
- Medical Administrative Services
- Medical Diagnostic and Treatment Professions
- Nursing Professions
- Nutrition Services
- Therapeutic and Rehabilitation Professions
- Physical Therapy
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School locations:
- Pennsylvania (1 campus)
Areas of study you may find at Temple University include:
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- Graduate: Doctorate, First Professional Degree, Master
- Post Degree Certificate: First Professional Certificate, Post Master's Certificate
- Undergraduate: Associate, Bachelor
- Medical and Health Professions
- Communication Disorders Sciences
- Dental
- Medical Administrative Services
- Medical Residency Programs
- Nursing Professions
- Pharmaceutical Sciences and Administration
- Podiatry - DPM
- Public Health and Safety
- Therapeutic and Rehabilitation Professions
- Music Therapist
- Occupational Therapy
- Physical Therapy
- Therapeutic Recreation
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School locations:
- Kansas (1 campus)
Areas of study you may find at University of Kansas include:
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- Graduate: Doctorate, First Professional Degree, Master
- Post Degree Certificate: Post Master's Certificate
- Undergraduate: Bachelor
- Medical and Health Professions
- Clinical Laboratory Science Professions
- Communication Disorders Sciences
- Health and Fitness
- Medical Administrative Services
- Medical Diagnostic and Treatment Professions
- Medical Residency Programs
- Mental Health Services
- Nursing Professions
- Nutrition Services
- Pharmaceutical Sciences and Administration
- Public Health and Safety
- Therapeutic and Rehabilitation Professions
- Music Therapist
- Occupational Therapy
- Physical Therapy
