Physical Therapy Colleges: Sifting Through The Best
There are many physical therapy colleges around the United States, but they vary in the programs they offer to become a certified physical therapist. Some have only masteral degrees, while others offer only doctorate degrees. Whichever physical therapy colleges you choose, the most important to thing to consider is whether the college or university is accredited by the American Physical Therapy Association or not.
Where to get the best education
Presently, there are fewer schools offering masteral degrees out of the 212 with physical therapy programs. California State University has a masters program in several of its campuses, as do University of Hartford in Connecticut, Florida International University, Armstrong Atlantic State University in Georgia and Howard University in Washington. There are even less offering both masters and doctorate programs.
There are more colleges or universities with doctorate degree programs, the highest awarded for the profession. With this requirement on hand, they may specialize in sports medicine, orthopedics, cardiopulmonary physical therapy, neurology, pediatrics and geriatrics.
Many masters degree programs require applicants to have strong volunteer experience in physical therapy before being admitted. If you've worked as a physical therapy assistant, then your chances at being accepted increase, although colleges for physical therapy normally have a set of pre-requisites that must be complied with prior to enrolling for masteral studies. Physical therapy assistant programs do not necessarily mean you have complied with such requisites.
In choosing physical therapy colleges, it is also good to find out the class sizes for the program to ensure productive interaction between instructor and student. A strong clinical experience offering should also be one of the criteria. If they have a wide range of choices for clinical training, then students are guaranteed good exposure to the field. Top physical therapy colleges should also have a good track record for its graduates - particularly if they are absorbed in the employment pool shortly after graduation.
Set a criteria
Physical therapy assistant schools may not necessary offer master and doctoral degree programs, except if these are the big colleges or universities, which have a strong core in medicine and they actually include all physical therapy programs. In the same manner, there are colleges that do not have physical assistant training programs in their list but offer the graduate programs.
Physical therapy colleges with research and study programs in local hospitals, clinics and government agencies can offer graduates with better chances of immediate employment. This should also be a main consideration when choosing which institution to enroll in.
According to U.S. News, the top 10 physical therapy colleges in the United States in 2008 were:
- University of Southern California
- University of Pittsburgh
- Washington University in St. Louis
- University of Delaware
- US Army-Baylor University in Texas
- University of Iowa
- Arcadia University
- MGH Institute of Health Professions in Boston
- Northwestern University
- University of Miami
There are other top physical therapy schools with strong curriculum and clinical training. Your location will likely dictate where you will eventually earn your physical therapy degree, and there are many physical therapy colleges nationwide to choose from.
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