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Physical Therapist Schools | Get Your Physical Therapy Degree – North Branch MI

How to Enroll In a Physical Therapist Degree Program near North Branch 48461

North Branch MI physical therapy school student with volunteerEarning a physical therapist degree near North Branch MI is an essential first step to starting a rewarding career in the medical care industry. Physical therapists (PT) help individuals who have been incapacitated as a result of injury or illness gain back function and mobility. But before they may legally practice and provide treatment for the rehabilitation of patients, they must obtain the appropriate education and training. A PT must additionally become licensed in all states, a large number mandating that the licensee earn a physical therapy degree from an accredited school. So before choosing a physical therapy school, it’s important to investigate those you are looking at to make certain they will deliver a superior education and satisfy your state’s licensing criteria. What you do not want to do is enroll in a college just because it happens to be the closest to your home or it has the lowest tuition. There are other relevant qualifications that need to be evaluated in addition to cost and location. But before we discuss what those qualifications are and the questions you should be asking, we’ll address what a physical therapist does and the options for education.

What Do Physical Therapists Do?

North Branch MI physical therapist helping patient walkPhysical therapists practice in varying settings, such as North Branch MI hospitals, health clinics, assisted living facilities, rehab centers and sports facilities. What the facilities all share in common is that they have the equipment for diagnosing and rehabilitating patients. As previously mentioned, physical therapists help people that are experiencing a lack of mobility and in many cases pain due to illness or injury. After patient diagnosis, they develop a course of treatment to resolve the mobility problems and lessen or eliminate any pain. They also endeavor to prevent any progression of the disability. While the causes of disability requiring physical therapy are abundant, they include:

  • Osteoporosis and Arthritis
  • Motor vehicle accidents
  • Head injuries.
  • Cardiac arrest.
  • Sports injuries.
  • Fire injuries.
  • Hip Replacement.
  • Fibromyalgia.
  • Multiple Sclerosis.

Licensed physical therapists work in close association with other North Branch MI medical specialists, including chiropractors, physicians, registered nurses and dentists. They can also oversee one or more physical therapy assistants who work under them assisting with diagnosing and treating their patients. One thing to bear in mind for anyone considering entering the physical therapy profession, it is quite physically demanding. Physical therapists routinely lift patients and heavy equipment, and kneel, crouch and stand for prolonged periods of time on a daily basis.

Physical Therapist Degree Options

North Branch MI physical therapist applying acupuncture to patientThere are 3 physical therapy degree options available for students to enroll in at the graduate and undergraduate levels. Of these choices, the single degree that is available to practice as a physical therapist is the doctorate. Undergraduate degrees focus on either training students to become a physical therapy assistant (PTA) or preparing them to progress to the doctoral level. Following are short summaries of degrees that are available in the North Branch MI area:

  • Associate Degrees train students to practice as physical therapy assistants, or can be the first step toward earning a more advanced degree. Applicants must have obtained a high school diploma or equivalent to qualify for enrollment. The degrees are typically provided by junior or community colleges, and take about two years to complete. Clinical training, which may be in the form of an internship is normally part of the curriculum.
  • Bachelor’s Degrees are developed as pre-physical therapy training to prep students to move up to the doctoral level. While they are not required to be eligible for the doctoral program, they are an important first step to practicing as a PT. Similar to the majority of bachelor’s degrees, they typically require four years to finish and often include an internship program of at least 500 hours.
  • Doctorate Degrees are a requirement if you want to become a licensed practicing physical therapist. The degree program also must be accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE). In addition to the bachelor’s degree, the doctoral takes three years to complete, making the total investment of time seven years in the majority of cases. Clinical training is an essential component along with the considerable lab and classroom instruction. Therefor the fulfillment of an internship is required, not just for graduation but in some states for licensing also.

The Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) has taken the place of the Master’s of Physical Therapy (MPT), which has been phased out and is no longer attainable in the USA. A number of practicing physical therapists holding a master’s or even a bachelor’s degree were “grandfathered” in before the current licensing mandate for a doctorate was instituted.

Physical Therapist Degrees Online

woman attending physical therapy school online in North Branch MIWhile not as prevalent as the on-campus alternatives, there are a number of accredited online physical therapy degrees available, more so at the graduate level. Due to the hands-on structure of the training, internships and clinical lab work are integrated with the online classes. This necessitates that the student live close to the college campus or in proximity of an available internship. Fortunately, the online segment of the program can be accessed within the comfort and convenience of the student’s North Branch MI home. Online schools are not only to some extent more accessible, but in a number of cases more affordable. Tuition might be somewhat less than similar on-campus alternatives, and expenses for commuting are reduced. And a number of the online schools are accredited by the CAPTE, guaranteeing a quality education. These advantages may make the online alternative the right choice for those students that are dedicated enough to learn at home.

Topics to Ask Physical Therapy Schools

By now you probably have come to decision concerning some of your preliminary queries, such as the type of physical therapy degree you would like to obtain, where you want to attend classes, and how much you can afford to invest in your education. But because there are numerous PT schools within the North Branch MI area and across Michigan, you’ll have to research other qualifications as well so as to further narrow your list of school options. Also, you want to make certain that you pick the school that is best for you. That’s the reason we have compiled a list of essential questions that you must ask the physical therapist colleges you are thinking about. Ask all of the competing colleges these questions before making an ultimate decision.

Is the Physical Therapist School Accredited?  Ask if the programs you are reviewing have received accreditation from a regional or a national organization. As previously mentioned, if you are pursuing a doctorate the program must be accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE). If you enroll in an online program, it can also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council. It’s essential that both the physical therapist school and program you enroll in are accredited, not just the school. Additionally, verify that the accreditation is through a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged accrediting agency. In addition to ensuring that you obtain an excellent education, accreditation may be required for state licensing as well as for getting student loans or financial aid.

What is the School’s Ranking? In addition to accreditation, it’s imperative that the college and program you choose have exceptional reputations within the physical therapist community. There are a number of ways you can look into a PT program’s reputation, beginning with requesting references from employers that they refer their students to. You can also check online rating services and reviews and ask the accrediting organizations for their reviews also. Call a few North Branch MI physical therapy clinics or other medical care facilities that you might have an interest in working for and ask if they can give you any recommendations about your college selections. It might also be prudent to check with the Michigan Attorney General and school licensing authority to see if any complaints have been submitted against the schools.

What is the Program’s Job Placement Percentage? There are a couple of useful statistics that you should know about all of the physical therapy schools you are considering. One is their graduation rate. A lower rate might mean that students dropped out because of dissatisfaction with the program, the instructors, or both. Once the students have graduated, how many of them are being placed in jobs with the help of the college’s job placement program, particularly in the North Branch MI area? If a program has a higher job placement rate, it’s an indication that its reputation within the health care field is good or even excellent. It also confirms that the school has a broad network of contacts to help students gain internships or employment after graduation.

Does the School Prepare You For Licensing Requirements? It’s important that the college you choose furnishes both superior training and a course of study that supports the licensing requirements for Michigan or the state where you will be working. In each state a passing score is needed on the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) along with a degree from an accredited physical therapist college. Although licensing requirements fluctuate state by state for PTA and PT graduates, a number of states require a minimum amount of clinical hours be performed and passing scores on additional tests.

Are Internship Programs Offered? Inquire if the physical therapy programs you are interested in have relationships with North Branch MI clinics or hospitals for internship programs. Internships are not only an excellent manner to obtain practical training in a clinical environment, they are additionally a requirement for most PT programs and state licensing. As a supplemental benefit, they can help students and graduates establish professional connections in the North Branch medical community and assist with obtaining employment after licensing.

How Big are the Classes ? Unless you are the type of person that likes to sit far in the back of class or hide in the crowd, you will undoubtedly want a small class size. Small classes permit more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the physical therapist schools you are looking at what the average student to teacher ratio is for their classes. If practical you may prefer to monitor one or more classes before making your ultimate decision. This will also give you an opportunity to talk with some of the students and instructors to get their opinions regarding the pharmacist technician program also.

Where is the College Located? For a lot of students, the physical therapist college they pick will have to be within commuting distance of their North Branch MI residence. Students who have decided to attend online classes naturally will not have to worry themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of local internships will be of concern. Something to keep in mind is that if you choose to enroll in a school that is out of state or even out of your local area, you might be required to pay a higher tuition. State colleges generally charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges frequently charge a higher tuition for those students that don’t reside within their districts.

Is Financial Assistance Provided? Most DPT schools provide some form of financial aid to their potential students. Find out if the schools you are considering have a financial aid department and find out what kind of assistance is obtainable. They at least should help in getting a student loan or any grants you might qualify for. Some physical therapist colleges offer scholarships, while others offer work programs. So before eliminating a college because the tuition is too expensive, find out what financial assistance may be available.

Can the School Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you must confirm that the physical therapy school you finally choose can offer the class schedule you need. This is particularly important if you decide to continue working while attending school. If you must schedule night or weekend classes in the North Branch MI area, verify that they are available. If you can only attend part-time, find out if that is an alternative and how many credit hours or courses you would have to carry. Also, find out what the procedure is for making up any classes that you may miss as a result of work, illness or family obligations.

Earning Your Physical Therapy Degree near North Branch Michigan?

If you are planning on attending a Physical Therapy School in the North Branch MI area, the following information may prove to be both interesting and educational regarding the location of your future Alma Mater.

North Branch, Michigan

In 1854 the earliest settling of North Branch was undertaken. The founding fathers were Mr. and Mrs. Richard Beach and Mr. and Mrs. George Simmons. The nucleus of the village was the post office, store and trading post founded by John and Richard Beach. The Village was incorporated in 1881, and at the time, the population was 900. The town of North Branch sits on the north branch of the Flint River which flows through the township and is the principal waterway. The main thoroughfare is Huron Street. Two major fires mark the history of North Branch. In 1871 and particularly in 1881, fires destroyed many parts of the town.

As of the census[2] of 2010, there were 1,033 people, 415 households, and 261 families residing in the village. The population density was 776.7 inhabitants per square mile (299.9/km2). There were 484 housing units at an average density of 363.9 per square mile (140.5/km2). The racial makeup of the village was 96.5% White, 0.2% African American, 0.2% Native American, 0.2% Asian, 0.2% Pacific Islander, 1.3% from other races, and 1.5% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.9% of the population.

There were 415 households of which 34.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 39.0% were married couples living together, 16.6% had a female householder with no husband present, 7.2% had a male householder with no wife present, and 37.1% were non-families. 32.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 14% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.45 and the average family size was 3.07.

Choose the Right Physical Therapist College near North Branch MI

Choosing the best physical therapy program is an important initial decision you need to make to launch a gratifying career in the medical profession. As we have covered in this article, the DPT or PT degree program and college you choose should both have exceptional reputations and accreditation. However there are additional important questions that you should ask pertaining to your school of choice as well. As you start your search for a physical therapist program, keep in mind that a number of factors will guide you toward your ultimate decision. You might decide to go to different schools to see their facilities and speak with active DPT students. While there, ask yourself this important question: will this school help me realize my goal of becoming a practicing licensed physical therapist? By following our list of supplemental questions, you will have the ability to narrow down the field so you can make the ideal choice. And with the proper education and training, you can fulfill your dream to become a licensed physical therapist in North Branch MI.

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    Business Results 1 - 10 of 6

    Thibodeau Physical Therapy
    2 Reviews
    Physical Therapy, Sports Medicine, Orthopedists
    Phone:
    1794 N Lapeer Rd, Ste C, Lapeer, MI 48446

    Thibodeau Physical Therapy
    1 Reviews
    Physical Therapy, Sports Medicine, Orthopedists
    Phone:
    1808 S Cedar St, Imlay City, MI 48444

    Cora Rehabilitation Clinics
    1 Reviews
    Sports Medicine, Physical Therapy
    Phone:
    396 Lake Nepessing Rd, Lapeer, MI 48446

    Metamora Physical Therapy
    1 Reviews
    Physical Therapy, Pilates
    Phone:
    3562 South Lapeer Rd, Ste F, Metamora, MI 48455

    Advanced Physical Therapy Center
    2 Reviews
    Physical Therapy, Sports Medicine, Occupational Therapy
    Phone:
    7477 S State Rd, Goodrich, MI 48438

    Magnum Home Health Care
    1 Reviews
    Home Health Care, Skilled Nursing, Physical Therapy
    Phone:
    30700 Telegraph Rd, Ste 2620, Bingham Farms, MI 48025