Physical Therapy Schools in the United States

Anyone who is looking to pursue a career as a physical therapist should consider attending one of the top physical therapy schools in the country. After a major illness or injury, physical therapy is one of the most essential rehabilitation steps for a patient. Therefore, those who wish to pursue a career in this field should dedicate themselves to receiving a quality education at a top school, in order to provide a high level of care to their patients. Although there is a vast array of schools from which one can choose from, many of which offer a high quality education, those interested in enrolling in one of the country's top schools should consider the following.

Top Physical Therapy Schools

University of Pittsburgh
The University of Pittsburgh offers both Master's and doctorate physical therapy programs to qualified students. The school consistently ranks as one of the best schools in the nation for physical therapists. The program requires six semesters of classroom study, followed by a three-year paid clinical internship, during which the student will learn clinical skills under the direct supervision of a licensed physical therapist.

University of Southern California
The University of Southern California is the top ranked school for physical therapy programs. The school offers a doctor of physical therapy program. The classroom segment of the program is completed in four years, followed by a paid internship at a facility of the University's choice, which will last anywhere from two to four years, depending on one's aptitude and whether or not the student has chosen to specialize in a certain area.

University of Miami
The University of Miami's Department of Physical Therapy offers prospective physical therapists a high quality learning experience. One can choose to pursue a Master's degree or doctor of physical therapy, which will take four or six years to complete. In addition, students are also required to actively participate in faculty research as part of their coursework. Most students have the opportunity to present their findings at the annual conference of the American Physical Therapy Association. Those who wish to enrol in one of the country's top physical therapy schools and have an interest in research should certainly consider the University of Miami.

Curriculum and Coursework
Coursework will vary from one school to the next depending upon a variety of factors, such as the college or university one chooses, and the electives he or she selects. However, all schools have compulsory courses such as anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, neuroscience, behavioral science, cellular histology, etiology, first aid, medical law and interpersonal relationships. Most of the nation's top schools that offer divide students' education between classroom lectures and clinical experiences. Typically, the first two to three years of the student's education will be spent in the classroom, followed by clinical rotation under the supervision of a licensed healthcare practitioner.

Cost of Tuition
The cost of tuition can also vary significantly depending on the school in which the student is enrolled. However, as of 2011 the average tuition for a doctorate program at a top college or university stood at approximately $65,000, with a Master's degree program averaging $50,000. However, it is in the best interest of all prospective students to explore their options with regards to financial aid, government-subsidized education loans, and grants from private or non-profit sources.

Physical Therapy Programs

The first step toward working in this profession is acquiring the appropriate education, therefore it is wise for students to review all their options before making a final decision.

Physical therapists are professionals who evaluate patients with affected mobility and determine how best they can benefit from the various therapies available.

In all 50 states, such professionals must complete a physical therapy Master's degree program or obtain a doctor of physical therapy degree. Each option must be pursued at an accredited school. Otherwise, the student will not qualify to take the national licensing exam, which is also a requirement in all 50 states for those who wish to practice in the field.

Physical Therapy Programs

Educational Requirements

To enroll in a doctorate or Master's degree program, one must first acquire an undergraduate degree that includes basic coursework in anatomy, physiology and biology. However, some schools will allow students to enroll in a program without much coursework having been completed, although this will vary greatly depending on the educational institution one has sdlected. For this reason, it is important for prospective students to inquire about such aspects when reviewing various physical therapy programs. All employees require that one's initial education be obtained at an accredited school.

Over 250 colleges and universities throughout the country offer accredited programs. Therefore, finding an appropriate school should not a difficult task. The majority of programs split the learning time between classroom participation and hands-on clinical experience.

Considerations

As previously mentioned, one's options include a master's or doctorate program; however, the emphasis on doctorate programs has grown significantly over the past five years. Additionally, the American Physical Therapy Association's goal is to push for mandatory doctorate degrees for all physical therapists by the year 2020. Of course, this does not mean that the Association's objective will be realized, but it is certainly something that prospective students should consider when reviewing the various programs available.

Time Frame

Due to the fact that the requirements of each program vary somewhat, the time it takes one to complete his or her education will also vary. Factors that influence this time frame include the type of program in which one enrolls in, and the number of general education courses he or she has acquired prior to enrollment. Once an individual has obtained a bachelor's degree in one of the required sciences, a Master's degree will typically take an additional two years. Those who plan to pursue a doctor of physical therapy can anticipate an additional three years of formal education.

Cost

The cost of physical therapy programs will vary based on the type of program one selects and which school he or she attends. However, Master's degrees can typically be acquired for approximately $50,000, while a doctorate program usually costs approximately $65,000. However, it is recommended that prospective students inquire about the average cost in the state where they will be attending school, as these figures may be significantly higher or lower.

Making It Available To Everyone

Said direct dealings often include attending to their personal hygiene needs and taking their vital signs. The rewards of the job, fortunately, more than offset the challenges encountered so you are well-advised to take up CNA training classes as soon as possible.

Financial Catch

There's only one catch: Most training programs cost money ranging from $600 to $1,200 for a course spanning 6 to 12 weeks. Instructions within classrooms and clinical settings are usually conducted from 8 in the morning till 4 in the afternoon on weekdays. The good news is that there are two main ways that you can skip on the tuition costs of a CNA certification program. Of course, only the tuition and other school fees are covered - you will pay for your own travel and living expenses as well as other incidental costs. Books may or may not be covered by these free methods toward completing a CNA training program.

School Scholarships

Your first option is to ask around for academic scholarships in schools and sites offering training for aspiring nursing assistants. You will be surprised at the willingness of these schools and sites to train future professionals in the healthcare industry sans the high costs associated with the tech-voc education. You can even ask your high school guidance officer about the available scholarships in the schools near your place of residence.

In many cases, however, the scholarship offered will only be a certain percentage of the tuition. Said percentage can range from 50% to 75% of the tuition with other fees to be paid in full either on the date of enrolment or before completion of the training program. Keep in mind that your papers will not be released pending your payment in full of all your accounts, which translates to your ineligibility for taking the CNA certification exam administered by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing and known as the National Nurse Aide Assessment Program.

Employer Training

If you are already employed in healthcare facilities like hospitals, nursing homes and other long-term care establishments, you can approach the proper authorities for assistance on this matter. If the management agrees, you will be sent on a partial or full scholarship to a training program with certain conditions in place.

The most common condition for the employee on a scholarship is a certain number of years service to the healthcare establishment after completion of the program and compliance with the certification requirements. You may either be a volunteer or a paid employee of said establishment for the duration of your service.