Physical Therapist Schooling Requirements
Physical therapists are licensed, healthcare professionals who help rehabilitate patients suffering from disabling physical conditions. Along with reducing pain, physical therapists implement various exercises to increase mobility and teach patients how to manage their disorders. They often work in hospitals, healthcare clinics, fitness centers and nursing homes.
Physical Therapist Schooling Requirements
Physical therapists are required to complete physical therapy graduate degree programs approved by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE). They may pursue either master's degrees or doctoral degrees to be eligible for state licensure. In March 2011, the American Physical Therapy Association reported that there were 212 CAPTE-accredited programs, of which 203 offer doctoral degrees and only nine offer master's programs (www.apta.org).
Undergraduate Degree
To gain admission into a physical therapy degree program, applicants are generally required to hold bachelor's degrees. Undergraduate students may benefit from courses in the sciences, such as anatomy, physics, chemistry and biology, which are often prerequisites. Some physical therapy programs also require applicants to have volunteer experience in physical therapy settings.
Master's Degree
Aspiring physical therapists may choose to earn Master of Physical Therapy or Master of Science in Physical Therapy degrees. These degree programs typically take 2-2.5 years to complete and focus on methodology and theory in physical therapy. Instruction takes place in classrooms and laboratories. Courses may include rehabilitation techniques, cardiopulmonary treatment, patient management, neurological physical therapy and research methods. During the final semesters, students typically gain clinical experience under the supervision of licensed physical therapists.
Doctorate
Physical therapists may also enter the occupation by completing Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) programs, which generally last three years. Like master's degree programs, DPT curricula focus on foundational physical therapy instruction through classroom and laboratory settings. Coursework may include electives in specialized fields, such as pediatric physical therapy, orthopaedic rehabilitation or pharmacology. The final year of study is comprised almost entirely of clinical practicums.
Licensure
All physical therapists practicing in the U.S. must be licensed through their state regulatory boards. Requirements vary according to state, but licensure generally entails completion of a CAPTE-accredited degree program and passage of the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE). The NPTE assesses competency in fundamentals of the physical therapy practice, such as diagnosis, treatment and consultation. Most states require that physical therapists maintain certification regularly by earning continuing education credits.
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