A doctoral degree in physical therapy would prepare an individual to help the victim of an accident.
Physical therapy is a growing career option for students across the country. There are physical therapy programs at the undergraduate, master's and doctoral level. Doctoral programs might focus on cases that are common to the health care industry and follow the classroom-clinic-research model. This model creates a well-rounded individual with its use of classroom (lecture), clinic (shadowing and hands-on internships) and research (instructor posing an issue to the student, and the student researches the best way to treat it). With experience in all necessary areas, the student is ready for a career in the physical therapy field.
Marymount University
Marymount University’s Doctor of Physical Therapy program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education. Some of the classes required for a doctoral degree are Clinical Neuroscience, Health Care Delivery and Contemporary Society, Foundations of Physical Therapy Examination, Evaluation and Diagnosis and Evaluation and Management of Patients with Peripheral Musculoskeletal Disorders. This Catholic college has a student population of approximately 2,300 undergrads and 1,300 graduate students. According to the Marymount University website, more than 85 percent of full-time students receive financial aid.
School of Health Professions
2807 N. Glebe Road
Arlington, VA 22207-4299
703-522-5600
marymount.edu/academics/programs/physicalTherapy
University of Massachusetts Lowell
The Department of Physical Therapy at the University of Massachusetts Lowell has faculty members with clinical specialties earned through the American Physical Therapy Association and the American College of Sports Medicine. Prerequisite courses for this program include Anatomy and Physiology with labs, Exercise Physiology lab, Statistics and Psychology. The program focuses on areas of the field such as pediatric, sports medicine, home care and geriatric. Admission requirements to the Department of Physical therapy are a bachelor’s degree with a grade point average of at least 3.0; a combined GRE score of at least 870; three letters of recommendation, one from a physical therapist; and experience in the physical therapy setting. The department requires a minimum of 35 hours in the physical therapy setting, including documented experience from the individual.
Department of Physical Therapy
3 Solomont Way
Lowell, MA 01854-5124
978-934-4517
uml.edu/college/she/pt/pt.html#About the DPT Program
Walsh University
Walsh University, a Catholic University in Ohio, has a doctorate program in physical therapy. One of the goals is to graduate competent therapists with enough experience and knowledge to practice independently. Prerequisite classes include human physiology, statistics and exercise physiology. A bachelor’s degree, three letters of recommendation, interview, writing sample and 24 hours in a physical therapy environment also are required to be considered for admission into the program.
Walsh University
2020 East Maple Street
North Canton, OH 44720
330-490-7090
walsh.edu/physicaltherapy
Tags: Department Physical, Walsh University, bachelor’s degree, doctoral degree, hours physical, hours physical therapy