Physical Therapy Requirements

physical therapy requirements for degree, licensure and jobs.

Physical Therapy Requirements?

Can a 10 year old understand them?

Have you ever thought someone was so cool that you just wanted to model them exactly? You have? Me too!

Before I tell you how my career came about, a bit about the requirements you'll be looking at to join this amazing group of 'body builders!'

Physical therapist requirements include a Master's or Doctoral degree in physical therapy from an accredited program. In 2007, there were 209 different accredited programs, including 43 Master's degree programs and 166 Doctoral programs. It is expected that eventually a Doctoral degree will be one of the entry level physical therapy requirements. These programs accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education typically last two to three years depending on whether the program is a Master's degree or a Doctoral degree.

Accredited programs in physical therapy are located in most states, including Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia and Wisconsin.

A degree in physical therapy typically involves classes in biology, bio mechanics, chemistry, examination techniques, human growth and development, manifestations of disease, neuroanatomy, physics, and therapeutic procedures, as well as clinical practice.

Once you have completed your degree, physical therapist requirements include passing both national and state licensure exams and then doing the appropriate amount of continuing education in order to keep your licensure current. The physical therapist requirements for continuing education vary by state.

Just earning a degree and completing the other requirements for licensure will not make you a great physical therapist though. There are some physical therapist requirements in terms of character and people skills. You need to be able to work well with people, you need to be good at explaining things and teaching people how to do things since you will have to be teaching them what they need to do at home in order to further their treatment, and what they need to do during their sessions. Family members also need to know what is required for the care of their loved ones.

Once you have completed the physical therapy education and licensure requirements you can look forward to very good job prospects since there is a lot of growth in this field. The pay is also good, with the median earnings of a physical therapist per year being $69,760. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment in the field of physical therapy is expected to grow much faster than average as well. Louis Zhang, Certphysicaltherapist dot com

For more information about physical therapist requirements and accredited physical therapist degree programs go to Certphysicaltherapist dot com

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how I was influenced towards physical therapy

My children's division leader at church was really cool. So, when I was in 4th grade, 10 years old, I was bound and determined to become a physical therapist. I had no clue what the requirements would be. All I knew was that she was cool.

I had no questions (until college of course). Tough as the physical therapy requirements where, completion was not impossible.

I spent 5 years at Andrews University in Berrien Springs, Michigan to obtain my Masters Degree in Physical Therapy. Several years later I became certified as a Personal Trainer. Sixteen years later, I am starting my own physical therapy/personal training business including online personal training and an online Health and Wellness Center.

I am passionate about treating the entire person, however, it is difficult to stay within the physical therapy scope of practice and still accomplish this. I've learned that I can encourage my patients and my community to a level of health that I have been willing to pursue and obtain. My goal is to constantly be growing emotionally, spiritually and physically.

Physical therapy and personal training address physical fitness and physical healing. I enjoy spiritual and emotional fitness through small growth groups including Solutions with Dr. Henry Cloud and Dr. John Townsend. These highly respected Christian Psychologists provide real answers for real life. I also facilitate growth in my own life and those who are searching with The Journey. Structured and developed by Drs. Ron and Nancy Rockey, The Journey provides an in depth practical guide to understanding how our childhood has affected our lives today as adults and outlines a path to recovery.

I discovered that my own journey of growth, combined with targeting emotional and physical fitness in those around me has lead people to a real and deeper understanding of their spiritual fitness. And that I am grateful for. I have also become who I am... genuinely me! Sixteen years later. I've done it all (except wounds, burns and babies). From traveling PT to sports med to nursing home, to home health care. I have evolved. You will too!

You will go through PT school with a specific specialty in mind... mine was pediatrics. (Never happened). Doesn't matter though, the more I learned about it, the more it wasn't for me. You'll ebb and flow as well. You will still obtain the baseline physical therapy requirements to go out and pursue your dreams.

You'll find and settle into a niche over time. My niche meets my need for flexibility and quality one on one time with patients. Your personality will find your corner of the physical therapy world.

Your corner may be teaching. It may be home health care. Perhaps your corner is consulting. Burnout may come, but a different specialty can put that smoldering ember out and start a new fire of possibilities... all within the same career degree.

The destination is truly the journey and a joyful one at that! I encourage you, however, to focus on the physical therapy requirements that will bring YOU the desires of your heart.

wait! there's more!

And they have paid off nicely in knowledge, expertise and the wallet.

My first pick is always ACSM (American College of Sports Medicine). The benchmark of all personal training certs! You can't go wrong. Grueling training requirements (and my final test on September 11, 2001! - failed along with the rest of my class). Re-tested later and passed with 100%!

Later I took the home study course through ISSA (International Sports Science Association). It was good but a heavy focus on strength training. Suggested time to finish is 6 months, depending on life.

You can't go wrong with getting some personal training certs as well. BUT, the physical therapy requirements for your degree should come FIRST! Then get the extra's on the side. Remember that the physical therapy requirements to ultimately graduate take far longer (3-5 years) to accomplish than does a 6 months home study course for personal training or a weekend certification.

Build your foundation with a solid degree... then pile on the extra's. Learn and grow as you go... it's really fun that way!

I challenge you - you can do it!

Go further... I am also an EMT and volunteer firefighter! Spent time on a mountain search and rescue team and just love it all! PT tends to keep you up to your own fitness level to enjoy life!

It's for you! The physical therapy requirements for success are nothing more than a big heart, dedication and commitment to receiving life and passing it on!

Still unsure?

Ask me...

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physical therapy requirements - is it for me?

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