Massage is an integral part of what a physical therapist does.
Physical therapists serve a valuable and much-needed function in the health care world. They provide physical support to those who have been injured and need help developing a full range of motion. They supervise treatment in order to ensure that the patient doesn't injure himself further and that exercises are properly done. Getting into a physical therapy graduate program is difficult, and graduate schools have very high standards concerning admissions requirements. While exact requirements may differ from school to school, there are a number of standardized expectations.
Academic Excellence
Admission to a graduate-level physical therapy program is often competitive, and the higher your grade point average (GPA), the more you'll stand out. All programs require at least a 3.0 GPA in order to be considered for admission.
Bachelor's Degree
A bachelor's degree is required by all graduate-level programs. While there isn't a specific major requirement, there are a number of required courses. Most people choose to major in chemistry, biology or, when offered, pre-physical therapy. Those programs ensure that all requirements are met. Chemistry, physics, biology and higher level math compose the basic coursework required for admission, along with some anatomy/physiology and massage classes.
Observation
Before allowing admission to a graduate-level program, graduate schools require at least 80 hours of observation in order to ensure you're truly interested in this career choice and track. The observation must be completed on a volunteer basis with a licensed physical therapist.
Graduate Record Examination
The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is a required test for anyone entering graduate school in many fields, and it is much like a higher level SAT or ACT. It ensures minimum academic competitiveness, and admissions into a physical therapy graduate program requires at least a combined score of 1,000. However, that is the minimum requirement. In order to be a competitive applicant, your scores should be much higher.
Application
The required application for admissions is quite extensive. You will need letters of recommendation, a statement of purpose (which is a personal essay), and whatever specific requirements the school of your choice requires. Begin working on your application early in your junior year in order to ensure you have it completed in time.
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