4 Top Physical Therapy Schools
A physical therapist assists people with physical injuries requiring therapy in order to gain movement and mobility. Physical therapists can diagnose a patient’s medical or physical condition and develop treatment plans along with their medical doctors. They work with all ages of people, including infants who are recovering from surgery, athletes who have injuries, and elderly patients regaining skills after long illnesses.
Educational Requirements to Become a Physical Therapist
Physical therapists have to attend physical therapy colleges to obtain Master’s degrees and work in their fields. There is no undergraduate degree in physical therapy, but the person interested in pursuing a physical therapy degree must take undergraduate courses in biology, math, anatomy and physiology to gain the credits for admission into graduate school. It is always favorably viewed if the person has some volunteer experience in the field, as well as CPR certification.
Once enrolled in a certified physical therapy graduate program the coursework will include biomechanics, exercise physiology and neuroscience. It is a challenging degree to obtain.
Top Four Physical Therapy Schools
There are several excellent graduate schools that offer degrees in physical therapy. The top five schools that make most lists of top programs include:
Arcadia University, Glenside PA
Most people have never heard of Arcadia University, which is a private nonprofit college that is located in a small town outside of Philadelphia, PA. The school has 75 areas of study, and only 4,000 new students each year are enrolled. The school is accredited in Physical Therapy Education, and offers a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree that usually takes 2.5 years to complete full-time. It also offers an online degree program in physical therapy.
University of Southern California, Los Angeles CA
The University’s Division of Biokinesiology and Physical Therapy offers a Master’s of Science Degree and Doctorate of Philosophy degree in Biokinesiology, and a physical therapy degree program. The University of Southern California physical degree programs are accredited. Degree concentrations in orthopedic and neurological therapy are offered for students interested in those areas of study, as well as a concentration sports therapy. This school is ranked number one in U.S. News and World Report’s Grad School Education rankings.
Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis MO
This private nonprofit university was founded in 1854 and was named Best Value Private College for 2011 by the Princeton Review. The school offers an entry-level physical therapy degree program. Washington University also has a fellowship program in orthopedics and a residency in women’s health. If a student has an inclination more towards research or teaching they can pursue a Ph.D. program in Movement Science.
University of Delaware, Newark DE
The University of Delaware offers a DPT program that trains therapists to be critical thinkers along with providing the best therapy care. It also offers a Ph.D. program for therapists and a Ph.D. program in Biokinesiology. It is generally ranked in the top ten of U.S. News and World Report’s prestigious ranking of universities offering physical therapy programs.
The rankings of top physical therapy schools will differ depending on which lists is ranking the schools. Researching the schools to determine which school if right is based on personal needs and requirements.
http://www.PTSchools.com
Go to PTSchools.com for more information on the best physical therapy schools.