How To Pick A Good School For Physical Therapy

There is an expected surge in demand for physical therapists in the years to come and competition is starting to grow fierce. Just like other healthcare professions, it offers job security from lay-offs during economic downturns and is undoubtedly a rewarding and challenging career. To become a physical therapist, one has to have the patience, self-discipline, determination and commitment to go through the required years of clinical and classroom study.

If you are seeking a physical therapy career it is necessary to undergo formal study in an accredited school. You may search online or go to the American Physical Therapy Association website, for a complete list of accredited schools in America. Schools listed had met the standards of the association and has undergone extensive review by the Commission in Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) that ensures the quality of the program, its instructors and educational courses.

In your research for a good school you must also consider its geographical location although it is a personal choice whether you want to study near home or away from it. Important points you also have to consider would be cost of living in that area, cost of tuition, class size, teaching approach, available assistantship and connections to future jobs.

Each school has different requirements therefore it is always best to do your research before applying. Some schools may require volunteer work or letters of recommendation from licensed physical therapists to be admitted to the program while others may not. The most important requirement of every school is for the applicant to have a bachelor's degree already or will have graduated prior to the start date of the program. Most schools have only one start date for the whole year and so it is necessary to complete all requirements and begin the application process as soon as you pick a good school that fits your preferences and most importantly has high standard of teaching. A good school must have ready connections for future jobs for their graduates.

You may possess any bachelor's degree for as long as you have the prerequisite courses. Accredited schools may also require you to take the graduate record exam (GRE). The required GRE score varies for every school. Your GRE score may dictate a shortlist of accredited schools you may want to get into. An associate degree from a physical therapist school allows you to work as a physical therapist assistant. This career is not a stepping stone into becoming a physical therapist.

To be a physical therapist, you are required to obtain a post baccalaureate degree. You must possess a master's degree that requires at least 3 years of undergraduate classes, a bachelor degree in physical therapy and a three-year master's program to enter the field as a physical therapy. A new requirement for entry-level physical therapists is to acquire a doctorate degree and an additional year master's program. Before you may be able to practice your profession, it is necessary to obtain a licensure exam.