Health care is a career field full of a wide range of opportunities. Physical therapy is one career field where people are much needed, as more and more people seek therapeutic services. You can become a physical therapist by first learning find a school offering a physical therapy program.
Instructions
1. Visit the website of the APTA. The APTA is the American Physical Therapy Association and is compromised of current physical therapists around the United States. They have a listing of physical therapy educational programs that you can view by state (see Resources below).
2. Look for a program that is accredited. In order to become licensed in your state once you've completed your physical therapy program, you will need to attend an accredited program. The Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) is the accrediting agency for all physical therapy programs in the United States (see Resources below).
3. Determine what type of degree you want to earn. Most schools offer doctorate degrees, although some still give out master's degrees in physical therapy. If you have a preference for a specific type of degree or your state requires it to become licensed, you will need to narrow down your search based on this criteria. You can find out what a particular program offers by viewing its curriculum guide on the school's website or talking to a faculty member that teaches in the program.
4. Compare different programs. There are a number of different factors to consider when searching for a school that offers a physical therapy program. Cost, location, graduate success, faculty and clinical requirements are just some of the things you should compare before making a decision.
5. Meet with faculty or attend an information session. Most physical therapy programs provide an information session, a tour of their campus or the chance to talk with a faculty member prior to applying for admission. This will give you a feel for the program and an opportunity to ask any questions you might have that still haven't been answered before you make a decision on where to attend.
Tags: physical therapy, physical therapy program, become licensed, career field, faculty member, information session