Physical Therapy Schools in Maine

Guide to Physical Therapy Schools in Maine

Tucked into the far Northeastern corner of the country, Maine may seem like an odd location to choose to study physical therapy for those students who didn’t grow up there. However, a steady economy and consistent demand for health care professionals makes this is an ideal location to study, in actuality. There are a number of institutions in Maine that offer physical therapy programs, including the University of New England as well as the smaller Husson College in Bangor. Community colleges as well as online courses offer the basics of physical therapy that a student will need to move on to obtain their Master’s or Doctorate degree.

In addition to this degree, students of physical therapy in Maine will need to become licensed by the State Board, which ensures quality among the physical therapists practicing here. These high standards are further maintained by other professional organizations, including the Maine Physical Therapy Association. These can serve as helpful resources for students and professionals alike, organizing community outreach programs and helping offer continuing education courses that keep practicing therapists up to date with the latest therapeutic techniques that current students are learning.

Maine Physical Therapy Job Outlook and Salary

Maine has not been as hard-hit by the current economic crisis as other states, perhaps due to its insular nature. This means that the job outlook in general is better here than elsewhere, and this is especially true for those in the health care industry. As a result, there is a high demand for those schooled in physical therapy in Maine. Experts predict that this need will only continue to increase in the years to come, so graduates of the schools here can expect to receive instant placement in one of the hospitals or home care organizations in the area after graduation.  Retirement communities are also expected to hire more and more physical therapists in the years to come.

Receiving hands-on experience during schooling is paramount to increasing job prospects, and most schools will offer this as part of their overall training. This experience will help increase salary prospects upon graduation. At the moment, the median salary range for physical therapists in the state of Maine falls into the $68,000-$78,000 range, according to the latest statistics. This will vary depending on a person’s experience and the location where they are practicing, with those who are in metropolitan areas such as Bangor or Portland receiving a higher pay level than those in more rural environments.