Physical Therapy Schools

Physical therapy schools produce occupational therapists and physical therapists that require degrees to gain certifications.  A bachelor’s degree was the highest degree available prior to 1900.  Today the degrees that can be earned the field of physical therapy include Direct Entry Master’s Degree, Transitional Master’s Degree, Direct Entry Doctorate Degree, and Transitional Doctorate.

Physical Therapy Schools – Types of Degree’s Available

A Direct Entry Master’s Degree is sought by holders of a bachelor’s degree in physical therapy who want to advance their education.  This two year to three year degree program includes studies and one year of direct clinical studies in the field.

A Transitional Master’s Degree gives holders of a bachelor’s degree an opportunity to advance their studies without having to repeat the information studied.  The Direct Entry Doctorate Degree is a three year program available to bachelor’s degree holder in physical therapy as is the Transitional Doctorate for physical therapy.

These schools have augmented their studies  to include pharmacology, differential diagnosis, radiology/imaging, health care management, prevention, wellness, and health promotion, histology, and pathology.
The American Physical Therapy Association encourages graduates to obtain fellowships and residences for practical experience in their fields.

Physical Therapy Schools Fellowships

Physical therapy schools initiate fellowships in the movement sciences, hand sciences, sports athletics, and manual orthopedics.  Residences are available in neurology, geriatric, orthopedics, and sports.  By completing these programs a physical therapists is more practiced and better able to offer assistance to new patients.

Before applying, you should be aware of the most common prerequisites.  A letter of recommendation is required from a licensed physical therapist.  Volunteer hours are also needed in a physical therapist’s facility to gain admission to a bachelor’s degree program.

Before studying for a 4-year degree, it is beneficial to volunteer with a physical therapist to determine if you’ll even like being a physical therapist.  This volunteer work would serve as the volunteer hours needed and would probably lead to the letter of recommendation as well.

Physical Therapy Schools In Almost Every State

Almost every state in the union has physical therapy schools. Check to see if the school is accredited with the American Physical Therapy Association.  The only schools that offers both a master’s and doctorate degree program is the University of California, San Francisco.   Programs to obtain a master’s degree or a doctorate degree are available in West Virginia, Wisconsin, Washington, Vermont, and Virginia.

Utah has one school the University of Utah; South Dakota has a single school, the University of South Dakota; Rhode Island has one school also, the University of Rhode Island; and Oregon and Oklahoma each have one school, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center and Pacific University.

Ohio, New York, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Texas all have physical therapy schools offering Master’s Degree or Doctorate Degree programs.  Kentucky has two schools, Bellamine University and the University of Kentucky.  Louisiana, Kansas, Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland,  Michigan, North Carolina, New Jersey, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, and Indiana have several physical therapy schools that offer post-bachelorette degrees.

Nevada has only one school, the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, New Hampshire has Franklin Pierce College, Montana has the University of Montana, Missoula,  Mississippi has the University of Mississippi Medical Center, and Delaware has the University of Delaware.  There are programs available in Florida, Washington D.C., Connecticut, Colorado, Arkansas, Arizona, and Alabama.  As of yet Alaska does not have a masters or doctorate degree program in physical therapy.

Continuing your education as a physical therapist is greatly encouraged if the number of institutions providing that education is any indication.  Physical therapists are being better prepared to handle every imaginable situation and health care need. Physical therapy schools are developing their students to be the very best that they can be.