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Physical Therapy Degrees

Physical therapists help patients recover from injury or illness through rehabilitation. They guide patients through exercise to rebuild muscle and improve mobility lost due to trauma or disease. In addition, they help patients maintain their physical abilities that would otherwise degenerate due to aging or neglect. They must not only have a strong background on anatomy and health, but also be willing to deal with patients on a very personal level.

Physical therapists must pass both state and national licensing criteria before they can begin to practice as therapists. Most accredited colleges offer either masters or doctoral degrees in physical therapy. A good program will include initial coursework in anatomy, physiology, neuroscience, movement, and other basics of the physical therapist's trade. As you progress through the program, you will likely be required to do fieldwork at a hospital or other institution to learn practical technique. It is possible to get an associate's degree as a physical therapist assistant with less rigorous coursework.

Based on projections from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, job opportunities for trained physical therapists will exceed the number of applicants for those positions for the foreseeable future. As the baby boomer population ages, there will be a call for physical therapists in institutional settings like hospitals, hospices, and nursing homes. There will also likely be an increase in the need for physical therapists to go directly to patients in their homes or retirement communities. Salaries for qualified therapists were higher than average throughout the country averaging from $55,000 to $70,000 depending on responsibilities.

Online Schools Offering Physical Therapy Degrees


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