2 answers
Raegen
Student
Cambridge, Vermont
3
Questions
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physical therpy?
what is the best collage to go to become a physical therpist
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2 answers
Chinyere Okafor
Educationist and Counseling Psychologist
401
Answers
Port Harcourt, Rivers, Nigeria
Updated
Chinyere’s Answer
Hello Raegen,
Good question! Physical therapy (PT) is a great field, focused on helping people recover from injuries, manage chronic conditions, and improve movement. To become a licensed physical therapist, you typically need to complete a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program, which requires a bachelor's degree, and then a DPT program that lasts about three years.
Some of the best colleges and universities known for their physical therapy programs include:
1. University of Southern California (USC)
- Known for its top-ranked Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program and innovative clinical education.
- Located in Los Angeles, CA.
2. University of Pittsburgh
- Consistently ranked among the best for PT education, with a strong emphasis on research and clinical practice.
- Located in Pittsburgh, PA.
3. Washington University in St. Louis
- Their DPT program focuses on clinical excellence and patient-centered care, offering strong research opportunities.
- Located in St. Louis, MO.
4. Emory University
- Highly regarded for its combination of classroom instruction, clinical training, and research opportunities.
- Located in Atlanta, GA.
5. University of Delaware
- Offers a DPT program that’s known for strong research and clinical components.
- Located in Newark, DE.
6. Northwestern University
- Renowned for its DPT program that integrates research and clinical practice to prepare students for advanced practice.
- Located in Evanston, IL.
7. University of Miami
- Their DPT program focuses on comprehensive care and innovative rehabilitation techniques.
- Located in Miami, FL.
8. Duke University
- Known for its rigorous DPT program and strong reputation in health care education.
- Located in Durham, NC.
Each program has its own strengths, such as clinical placements, research opportunities, and faculty expertise, so it’s important to consider what’s most important to you when choosing a program.
Best wishes!
Good question! Physical therapy (PT) is a great field, focused on helping people recover from injuries, manage chronic conditions, and improve movement. To become a licensed physical therapist, you typically need to complete a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program, which requires a bachelor's degree, and then a DPT program that lasts about three years.
Some of the best colleges and universities known for their physical therapy programs include:
1. University of Southern California (USC)
- Known for its top-ranked Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program and innovative clinical education.
- Located in Los Angeles, CA.
2. University of Pittsburgh
- Consistently ranked among the best for PT education, with a strong emphasis on research and clinical practice.
- Located in Pittsburgh, PA.
3. Washington University in St. Louis
- Their DPT program focuses on clinical excellence and patient-centered care, offering strong research opportunities.
- Located in St. Louis, MO.
4. Emory University
- Highly regarded for its combination of classroom instruction, clinical training, and research opportunities.
- Located in Atlanta, GA.
5. University of Delaware
- Offers a DPT program that’s known for strong research and clinical components.
- Located in Newark, DE.
6. Northwestern University
- Renowned for its DPT program that integrates research and clinical practice to prepare students for advanced practice.
- Located in Evanston, IL.
7. University of Miami
- Their DPT program focuses on comprehensive care and innovative rehabilitation techniques.
- Located in Miami, FL.
8. Duke University
- Known for its rigorous DPT program and strong reputation in health care education.
- Located in Durham, NC.
Each program has its own strengths, such as clinical placements, research opportunities, and faculty expertise, so it’s important to consider what’s most important to you when choosing a program.
Best wishes!
Donna Calvert, PT, PhD
physical therapist
51
Answers
Mission, Kansas
Updated
Donna’s Answer
The best college to go to for PT school is the college that accepts you!
The fact remains that PT school is expensive. But the tuition costs, even of those listed above, vary widely. Please consider a state school whose tutition, while still expensive, may be more reasonable to manage as an expense or a loan payment later. You will still have a PT degree when you finish at a less costly school!
Another point to consider is that PT school prepares you to be a generalist practitioner. A program might offer one or two specialist courses, but that does not make you a specialist. That only comes with experience and continuing education via seminars and specialist training/credentialing. So don't be lured by any claims that you will be a specialist when you finish at a particular school.
Good luck in your search!
go to APTA.org to see schools that offer DPT degrees in the US
The fact remains that PT school is expensive. But the tuition costs, even of those listed above, vary widely. Please consider a state school whose tutition, while still expensive, may be more reasonable to manage as an expense or a loan payment later. You will still have a PT degree when you finish at a less costly school!
Another point to consider is that PT school prepares you to be a generalist practitioner. A program might offer one or two specialist courses, but that does not make you a specialist. That only comes with experience and continuing education via seminars and specialist training/credentialing. So don't be lured by any claims that you will be a specialist when you finish at a particular school.
Good luck in your search!
Donna recommends the following next steps:
this is a great answer! you also have to consider where you may want to live for three years (for the postgrad portion, if you are not already in a college undergrad PT program), and note that you may have to have flexibility in your living arrangement to complete clinical internships or field experiences during those three years of schooling. You will want access to a good support system and an affordable housing option, so take that into consideration - do you want to be far from family and friends, do you want to be in a city or a rural environment?
Rebecca Kollmorgen