what are the course requirements for physical therapy

Physical Therapist Education Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree. A Bachelor’s degree is the first step to becoming a physical therapist. You need to undergo 4 years...
• Master’s degree. Though not always necessary, it helps to achieve a master’s degree in any of the medical fields to help...
• Doctorate of Physical Therapy. To be a physical therapist you must earn a doctorate...

Full Answer

What courses are needed to become a physical therapist?

• Important Facts About This Field of Study. D.P.T. ...
• Undergraduate Coursework. A bachelor's degree in biology is a common undergraduate degree for aspiring physical therapists; however, a specific major isn't usually required.
• Graduate Coursework. ...
• Residency and Board Certification Info. ...
• Licensure and Continuing Education. ...

What are the qualifications to become a physical therapist?

• Ask your Licensing Authority for Requirements. Contact the licensing authority in the jurisdiction in which you want to practice for the most up-to-date information on licensure requirements.
• Find out if You Need to Take the Jurisprudence Exam.
• Transfer Your Scores.

What do you need to become a physical therapy?

When you check-in for the physical therapy exam, you’ll need to:

• Present a valid form of ID to prove that you are who you say you are
• Have a digital photograph taken
• Sign a physical therapy exam logbook
• Get your fingerprint taken digitally

What are the requirements to get into physical therapy school?

• A minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of a 2.8 on a 4.0 scale in all completed course work.
• A grade of “C” or above is required for all prerequisite courses.
• Take the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). ...

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Degree Requirements

To earn a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree at the University of Washington, you must complete 165–167 credits, including 34 credits from clinical internships and an 11-credit capstone project.

Course Sequence

Below is the program plan for students in the current cohort. Credit values are listed in parentheses after each course title.

Course Prerequisites for PT School

Although most physical therapy schools will accept applications from those who hold a degree in any subject, it’s undoubtedly true that some classes will prepare you better than others. As a physical therapist, you’ll be both a scholar and a practitioner, which means you’ll need skills in both areas.

The Graduate Record Exam (GRE) Requirements

Because physical therapy school is fundamentally a graduate school, most programs require scores from a standardized test. Namely, they want results from the GRE (Graduate Record Examinations), a test standard for graduate school applications. Although some institutions require GRE subject tests, most programs only want scores for the general GRE.

PT School Extracurricular Requirements

Imagine yourself getting ready to submit your completed application for physical therapy school.

Physical Therapy School Interviews

Let’s say you’ve created the perfect application. You have great test scores and a strong GPA. Your essay is compelling, and your letters of recommendation are impeccable.

Essays & Personal Statements

At first glance, the personal statement essay is very scary. It asks you to write one or two pages in which you explain why you should be accepted into the program. Instead of just showing your credentials to the physical therapy school, you need to tell the reader that you belong.

GPA Requirements

If you’re like most students, you’ve probably been told time and again that grades are important. If you don’t get a good grade in a class or on a test, then you can kiss your college dreams goodbye.

Letters of Recommendation

As you’ve no doubt have found, every part of your application to physical therapy school carries weight. Admissions committees will be reading your personal statement, assessing your test scores, and even looking at your GPA. But few parts of an application carry as much weight as letters of recommendation .

What majors are required for physical therapy?

No matter what major you choose, you'll need to complete certain science prerequisites. Coursework in human anatomy and physiology, biology, chemistry, physics, statistics and social sciences are typical prerequisites for many graduate degree programs in physical therapy.

How long does a physical therapy residency last?

Residency programs usually last one year and provide training in areas such as geriatric physical therapy or orthopedics.

What does a physical therapist do?

You'd help people suffering from arthritis, neurological disorders, fractures and sprains using exercises, stretching techniques and special equipment. Throughout the treatment process, you'll monitor your patients' progress and educate them and their families about what to expect. You could specialize in treating a specific population, such as orthopedic patients, athletes or the elderly.

Is physical therapy a masters or a doctorate?

Doctoral degree programs are much more common, although master's degree programs also exist and are considered a legitimate path towards the profession. However, according to the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA), all programs will be transitioning to a doctoral degree by 2017. Graduate programs in physical therapy will provide you ...

How do I become a physical therapist?

In order to become a licensed physical therapist, you must pass the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE), which is given by the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT). The computer-administered exam consists of 250 multiple-choice questions split into five sections. It is scored on a scale of 200–800; scoring a 600 or above is considered passing. The NPTE is offered four times each year: in January, April, July, and October. The FSBPT allows candidates to take it up to three times in one year. In 2019, 91% of first-time candidates who were graduates of#N#U.S.–accredited PT programs passed the NPTE. 3

How often do physical therapists have to meet continuing education requirements?

To maintain licensure, physical therapists must meet continuing education requirements every two years in most states.

What are the different types of DPT programs?

Some graduate schools also offer innovative scheduling options. USAHS offers its DPT program in two formats: 1 Residential DPT: This format blends online coursework with in-person clinical labs on weekdays. It typically takes less than three years to complete. 2 Flex DPT: This format blends online coursework with in-person clinical labs on select weekends each month. Designed for working students, it typically takes four years to complete. 2

How long does it take to get a DPT degree?

A bachelor’s degree typically takes three to four years to complete for full-time students. Then you will need to enroll in a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program, ...

How many times can I take the NPTE?

It is scored on a scale of 200–800; scoring a 600 or above is considered passing. The NPTE is offered four times each year: in January, April, July, and October. The FSBPT allows candidates to take it up to three times in one year. In 2019, 91% of first-time candidates who were graduates of.

What is a clinical residency?

A clinical residency is a post-graduate program that includes additional training, coursework, and clinical experiences. A residency is a good way to begin specializing in your area of greatest interest. Physical therapy fellowship programs are also available.

What to do after you graduate from a physical therapy school?

Once you’ve become a licensed physical therapist, you may consider furthering your practice with a residency or fellowship program. Or , you can get board-certified with a specialty focus.

How long does it take to become a physical therapist?

The length of professional DPT programs is typically three years.

What is a specialization in physical therapy?

Specialization is the process by which a physical therapist builds on a broad base of professional education and practice to develop a greater depth of knowledge and skills related to a particular area of practice. PTs are not required to be certified in order to practice in a specific area.

What does a physical therapist do?

Physical therapists diagnose and treat individuals of all ages, from newborns to people at the end of life. Many patients have injuries, disabilities, ...

How does a physical therapist help people?

They help people achieve fitness goals, regain or maintain their independence, and lead active lives.

How long is a DPT program?

Programs offer different student experiences and have different costs. Program length. The traditional DPT program is three years, but some programs compress academic requirements into a shorter time span, which could help you manage the total cost of your education experience and enter the field faster.

Is there a demand for physical therapy?

Demand for physical therapists varies by geographical region and area of practice, but PT unemployment rates are typically low across the country. The need for physical therapists is expected to remain strong as the United States population ages and the demand for physical therapist services grows.

Does APTA rank DPT?

APTA does not rank DPT education programs. Programs are accredited by CAPTE, which assures quality in physical therapist education. Among the factors you should keep in mind when choosing your program: Cost and financial aid opportunities. Most DPT students graduate with student loans.

Transfer Credit Policy

Transfer students may also be eligible to apply directly to the DPT program. A bachelor's degree and courses equivalent to the lower division and upper division prerequisite course work must be completed prior to the start of professional program classes in August of each year.

Prerequisite Courses

ES 207 Human Form and Function; or APY 345 Comparative Primate Anatomy and APY 346 Dissections in Comparative Primate Anatomy CHE 101 General Chemistry CHE 102 General Chemistry ES 200 Science of Human Movement MTH 121 Survey of Calculus and its Applications I or MTH 131 Mathematical Analysis for Management or MTH 141 College Calculus I NTR 108 Human Nutrition PGY 300 Human Physiology PHY 101 / PHY 151 College Physics I/Lab PHY 102 / PHY 152 College Physics II/Lab PSY 101 Introductory Psychology or PSY 322 Abnormal Psychology or PSY 336 Developmental Psychology STA 119 Statistical Methods or PSY 207 Psychological Statistics or equivalent PAS 407 Gross Human Anatomy ES 300 Theory of Athletic Injury ES 310 Practical Applications in Exercise Science with Lab ES 330 Life Span Physiology ES 342 Neuroscience I ES 344 Neuroanatomy I ES 370 Biomechanics I ES 380 Exercise Physiology.

Total Credit Hours Required

Students should consult with an academic advisor to determine how any transfer or exam credit might be utilized in meeting general education, prerequisite, or major requirements.

How many hours of continuing education do you need to be a physical therapist in Oklahoma?

From the Oklahoma Physical Therapy Practice Act Website: ( OK source) “ If you are a Physical Therapist you must obtain forty (40) hours of approved continuing education every two (2) years. If you are a Physical Therapist Assistant you must obtain thirty (30) hours of approved continuing education every two (2) years.

What does CME stand for in physical therapy?

CME stands for Continuing Medical Education and would most likely satisfy your state’s CEU requirements. The important thing is to make sure the course provider has been approved to provide Physical Therapy CEUs with the completion of the course.

Physical Therapy Career Overview

Undergraduate Coursework

• A bachelor's degree in biology is a common undergraduate degree for aspiring physical therapists; however, a specific major isn't usually required. No matter what major you choose, you'll need to complete certain science prerequisites. Coursework in human anatomy and physiology, biology, chemistry, physics, statistics and social sciences are typica...

See more on learn.org

Graduate Coursework

Residency and Board Certification Info

Licensure and Continuing Education