Physical Therapy Schools
Physical Therapy Schools – How To Choose The Right One
A person who wants to study physical therapy will find that there are many physical therapy schools to choose from. Besides choosing the right school, a person will also need to decide if he or she wants to study for a Masters or Doctorate degree. Following is some helpful information that can enable one to make a well informed decision regarding his or her education in this field.
Accredited vs. Unaccredited Schools
A person checking out various physical therapy schools will find that there are both accredited and unaccredited schools to choose from. One should always study with a school that is accredited, as a diploma from an unaccredited educational institution will not hold much water with potential employers. One can find out more about any given educational institution in his or her state by contacting the state’s physical therapy association or the APTA.
Online vs. On Campus Study
While most physical therapy schools only provide on campus study courses, there are some schools that offer online only courses for those who prefer this medium of education. Studying online has a number of advantages. It enables one to hold down full time or part time work and/or care for family while still being able to study. Online study courses are usually cheaper than on campus ones. Furthermore, a diploma earned online is just as good as a diploma gained studying on campus, as long as the institution providing the diploma is reputable and accredited.
The only drawback to studying online is that one will miss out on hands on practical courses that are offered by schools with on campus study programs. Putting book knowledge into practice is a very important part of studying physical therapy. It is also important to realize that prospective employers will not only look at one’s educational credentials but also at his or her experience. However, a person studying online can make up for this lack by becoming an intern for a certified physical therapist.
Choosing a Degree
As was noted above, one can obtain either a Masters or Doctorate degree. Some physical therapy schools will only offer one of the above mentioned degrees while other schools offer study courses for both degrees. At present, it takes between two and two and a half years to obtain a Masters degree and three years to obtain a Doctorate degree.
At present, a physical therapist needs to have at least a Masters degree in order to become certified. However, this requirement is set to change; in the near future one may need to have a Doctorate degree in order to obtain certification. Given this fact, one may want to opt for a doctorate degree course.
There are also specialized courses that enable one to specialize in a particular aspect of physical therapy, such as orthopedic therapy, pediatric therapy, geriatric therapy and more. One may want to consider studying not only general physical therapy but also a particular type of therapy. Becoming skilled in a particular aspect of physical therapy will make it easier for one to find employment. It will also enable one to command a higher salary.
On the other hand, it is also possible for a physical therapist to continue his or her studies after graduation. In fact, most states require that physical therapists continue their education in order to retain licensure. An aspiring physical therapist may want to graduate, find work and then study a specialized field of therapy part time.
Cost of Studying at Physical Therapy Schools
The cost of studying for a physical therapy diploma varies wildly. One geographical location and the type of school he or she enrolls in will usually determine how much the course will cost. A Masters degree course may cost anywhere from $7,800 up to over $26,000. Physical therapy schools offering on campus courses charge anywhere from $13,000 up to over $50,000 for a Doctorate course. Online physical therapy schools charge anywhere from $9,000 up to $27,000 for a doctorate course.
Financial Aid
Fortunately, it is not hard to get financial aid in order to study physical therapy. This aid may take the form of either grants or low interest student loans. Many physical therapy schools offer financial aid options for students who enroll in classes at their school. Additionally, there are various Federal aid programs that one can apply for by filling out a FAFSA form and sending it to the Federal Student Aid Information Center. Some of the various loan and grant options made available by the federal government include PELL grants, FSEO grants, Stafford Loans and Perkins Loans. A person who is interested in getting a loan or grant should apply for one well in advance, as it takes time for the paperwork to be processed.
In Summary
Physical therapy schools are not hard to find. There are a number of educational institutions that offer Masters and Doctorates courses; these can easily be found by doing an internet search. However, choosing the right school can be a bit of a challenge. One should start by determining what type of diploma he or she wishes to earn and then finding various accredited schools that teach the courses needed in order to earn the diploma in question.
A person who is not able to study during the day may want to take an online study course. Such a course is more affordable than an on campus course and it will allow one to both work and study. Online physical therapy schools offer both Masters and Doctorate degree programs.
While it may cost a fair bit to obtain a diploma, it is well worth it. Physical therapists earn an average of over $70,000 a year and the demand for qualified therapists is set to increase in years to come. Job prospects are quite good and a qualified physical therapist may find work at a hospital, old folks’ home, convalescent home or private practice. Many physical therapy schools offer aid and grants, so a person who wants to become a certified physical therapist should be able to get the help he or she needs in order to study and gain certification.