Physical Therapy Schools Graduate Programs

Physical therapy schools offer two primary graduate programs. You may pursue either a masters degree in physical therapy or a physical therapy doctorate. Successful completion of either program requires an extensive course of study and preparation.

First, you must receive your Bachelor’s Degree in an area related to physical therapy. From there, you can apply for a graduate program although they are quite competitive all over the country and only a handful of students gain admission to most programs. The grade point and prerequisite requirements can be quite demanding.

You’ll find universities all over the country offering physical therapy programs. One happens to be the University of Tennessee. They have both the Master of Science and Doctorate degree programs for physical therapists. If you have a Bachelor’s Degree your next step would be to get your Master’s. At this University the Master’s program requires 36 Semester Hours and a completed thesis. For the Doctorate program, students must complete 92 Semester Hours. They must also submit a publishable manuscript to a peer-reviewed journal.

As you can see, requirements are stringent. Not only that, but the GPA a student must maintain to even be considered for a graduate program ranges between 3.0 and 4.0. Because physical therapy is such a lucrative, flexible and rewarding career field there is a great deal of competition between students for the graduate programs.

Any student considering such a program should begin preparations early as possible which includes taking pre-admissions tests. Two tests that may be required are the GRE or General Record Examination and the AHPAT or Allied Health Professions Aptitude Test.

To learn more about physical therapy graduate programs, try searching online. Because the programs may vary depending on your state and your school, it is important to find out exactly what is required of you before you decide on this career path.

If you are still in high school or are a high school graduate seeking a new career, consider getting licensed as a physical therapy assistant (PTA) to see if this is a career you want to pursue for the rest of your life. From there you can receive continuing education while working at a job. This is the route some therapists take especially if they need to work or aren’t sure if they want to go all the way in their education.

Related posts:

1. Physical Therapy Schools – Beginning A Physical Therapy Career
2. Physical Therapy Prerequisites Required For Advancement
3. Physical Therapy Jobs – A Growing Job Market