Physical Therapist Schools | Get Your Physical Therapy Degree – Westley CA

How to Find the Right Physical Therapist Degree Program near Westley 95387

Westley CA physical therapy school student with volunteerGetting a physical therapy degree near Westley CA is an essential first step to launching a fulfilling career in the health care industry. Physical therapists (PT) help patients 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 need to receive the appropriate training and education. A PT must also be licensed in every state, a large number requiring that the licensee receive a physical therapy degree from an accredited college. So before choosing a physical therapy school, it’s important to investigate those you are thinking about to ensure they will supply a quality education and comply with your state’s licensing criteria. What you do not want to do is enroll in a school just because it happens to be the closest to your home or it has cheapest tuition. There are other important qualifications that need to be considered in addition to location and cost. But before we discuss what those qualifications are and the questions you should be asking, we’ll address what a physical therapist does and what the educational options are.

What is a Physical Therapist?

Westley CA physical therapist helping patient walkPhysical therapists work in diverse locations, such as Westley CA private practices, hospitals, rehabilitation centers, nursing homes and sports facilities. What the facilities all have in common is that they have the equipment for the diagnosis and rehabilitation treatment of patients. As previously mentioned, physical therapists help individuals that are struggling with a lack of mobility and in many cases pain caused by injury or illness. After patient diagnosis, they design a course of treatment to deal with the mobility issues and reduce or eradicate any pain. They also strive to stop any progression of the disability. Though the causes of disability necessitating physical therapy are abundant, they include:

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

Licensed physical therapists work in close partnerships with other Westley CA health specialists, including doctors, chiropractors, registered nurses and dentists. They can also supervise one or more physical therapy assistants who work for them assisting with the diagnosis and treatment of their patients. Something to keep in mind for anyone thinking about going into the physical therapy field, it is quite physically demanding. Physical therapists routinely lift heavy equipment as well as patients, and stand, crouch and kneel for extended periods of time on a daily basis.

Physical Therapist Degrees

Westley CA physical therapist applying acupuncture to patientThere are three physical therapist degree options offered for individuals to enroll in at the undergraduate and graduate levels. Of these options, the single degree that is available to become 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 brief summaries of degrees that are offered in the Westley CA area:

  • Associate Degrees train students to be physical therapy assistants, or may be used as a stepping stone to a more advanced degree. Applicants must have earned a high school diploma or GED to qualify for enrollment. The degrees are typically made available by community colleges, and take about 2 years for completion. An internship or other form of clinical training is typically part of the program.
  • Bachelor’s Degrees are created as pre-physical therapist training to prepare candidates to progress to the doctoral level. While they are not required to be a candidate for the doctoral program, they are an important first step to becoming a PT. As with most bachelor’s degrees, they typically require 4 years to complete and commonly include an internship program of at least 500 hours.
  • Doctorate Degrees are a requirement in order to become a practicing licensed 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 overall investment of time seven years in most cases. Clinical training is an important element in addition to the considerable classroom and lab instruction. Therefor the completion of an internship is mandated, not only for graduation but in some states for licensing as well.

The Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) has replaced the Master’s of Physical Therapy (MPT), which has been phased out and is no longer available in the USA. A number of practicing physical therapists having a master’s or in some cases a bachelor’s degree were “grandfathered” in prior to the current licensing requirement for a doctorate was implemented.

Physical Therapist Online Degrees

woman attending physical therapy school online in Westley CAWhile not as prevalent as the on campus options, there are a number of accredited online physical therapist programs available, more so at the graduate level. Because of the hands-on nature of the training, internships and clinical lab work are incorporated with the online classes. This necessitates that the student live near the school campus or in proximity of an available internship. Fortunately, the online part of the curriculum may be accessed within the convenience and comfort of the student’s Westley CA home. Online schools are not only partially more accessible, but in a number of cases more affordable. Tuition might be somewhat lower than comparable on campus options, and expenses for commuting are reduced. And many of the online programs are accredited by the CAPTE, guaranteeing a quality education. These advantages can make the online option the ideal choice for those students that are motivated enough to attend classes at home.

Subjects to Ask Physical Therapist Colleges

By now you probably have made a decision concerning some of your preliminary queries, such as the kind of physical therapy degree you would like to attain, where you prefer to attend classes, and how much money you can afford to spend for your education. But since there are numerous PT schools within the Westley CA area and across California, you’ll need to explore other qualifications as well in order to further reduce your list of college choices. Furthermore, you need to be sure that you choose the school that is best for you. That’s the reason we have put together a list of important questions that you must ask the physical therapist programs you are thinking about. Ask each of the competing schools these questions before making an ultimate decision.

Is the Physical Therapy School Accredited?  Ask if the programs you are looking at have received accreditation from a regional or a national agency. As previously stated, if you are pursuing a doctoral degree the program must be accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE). If you enroll in an online college, it may also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council. It’s imperative that both the physical therapy program and school you select are accredited, not simply the school. Additionally, make sure that the accreditation is through a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting organization. In addition to ensuring that you obtain a quality education, accreditation might be required for state licensing and even for securing student loans or financial assistance.

What is the College’s Standing? Along with accreditation, it’s imperative that the school and program you pick have excellent reputations within the physical therapy community. There are multiple ways you can investigate a PT school’s reputation, starting with asking for references from employers that they place their graduates with. You can also check online reviews and rating services and ask the accrediting agencies for their reviews as well. Call a few Westley CA physical therapy centers or other healthcare facilities that you may be interested in working for and ask if they can offer any advice about your program options. It may also be a good idea to check with the California Attorney General and school licensing authority to find out if any complaints have been submitted against the colleges.

What is the Program’s Job Placement Percentage? There are a couple of significant statistics that you should know about each of the physical therapy colleges you are reviewing. One is their graduation rate. A low rate may 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 hired with the assistance of the college’s job placement program, particularly in the Westley CA area? If a school has a higher job placement rate, it’s an indication that its reputation within the health care field is good or even exceptional. It also verifies that the program has a large network of contacts to assist students obtain internships or employment upon graduation.

Does the Program Prepare You For Licensing Requirements? It’s essential that the school you choose furnishes both exceptional training and a course of study that supports the licensing requirements for California or the state where you will be working. In every state a passing score is needed on the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) as well as a degree from an accredited physical therapist program. While licensing requirements vary state by state for PT and PTA graduates, many states require a minimum number of clinical hours be completed as well as passing scores on additional tests.

Are Internships Sponsored? Find out if the physical therapist programs you are assessing have partnerships with Westley CA hospitals or clinics for internship programs. Not only are internships a great means to get practical experience in a clinical environment, they are also a requirement for most PT programs and state licensing. As an ancillary benefit, they can help students and graduates develop professional relationships in the Westley health care community and assist with job placement after licensing.

How Big are the Classes ? Unless you are the sort of person that prefers to sit far in the rear of the classroom or get lost in the crowd, you will undoubtedly want a small class size. Small classes enable more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the physical therapy colleges you are researching what the typical teacher to student ratio is for their classes. If practical you may want to monitor one or more classes before making your final decision. This will also give you an opportunity to speak with a few of the students and instructors to get their perspectives regarding the pharmacy tech program as well.

Where is the School Located? For a number of students, the physical therapist school they select will have to be within driving distance of their Westley CA home. Those who have opted to attend online classes obviously will not have to worry themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of local internships will be of concern. Something to bear 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 may have to pay a higher tuition. State colleges generally charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges often charge a higher tuition for those students that live outside of their districts.

Is Financial Help Provided? Most DPT schools offer some form of financial assistance to their prospective students. Ask if the schools you are considering have a financial aid department and find out what type of help is obtainable. At a minimum they should help in getting a student loan or any scholarships you might be eligible for. A number of physical therapist colleges offer scholarships, while others provide work programs. So before you eliminate a college because the tuition is too expensive, ask what financial assistance may be available.

Can the College Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you must verify that the physical therapy college you finally select can furnish the class schedule you need. This is especially essential if you opt to continue working while attending classes. If you need to schedule night or weekend classes in the Westley CA area, confirm that they are offered. If you can only attend part-time, check if that is an alternative and how many courses or credit hours you would have to carry. Also, ask what the protocol is for making up any classes that you might miss due to work, illness or family obligations.

Earning Your Physical Therapy Degree near Westley California?

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

Westley, California

Westley is a census-designated place (CDP) in Stanislaus County, California. The population was 603[1][2] at the 2010 census, down from 747 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Modesto Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Oxford Energy had a major stake in a major local scrap tire pile operation.[5][6][7][8][9][5][6] It was the largest single collection of waste tires on the west coast, when it mostly burnt down in 1997.[5][6]

Filbin had begun trucking used tires into Ed's Tire Disposal even before construction of I-5,[10] the road being built between 1956 and 1979, depending on location.[10] Oxford Energy had begun dumping near Westley in various piles since the 1950s.[5][6]

Enroll in the Right Physical Therapist Training Program near Westley CA

Choosing the right physical therapist school is an important first decision you need to make to launch a rewarding career in the healthcare profession. As we have addressed in this article, the DPT or PT degree program and school you pick should both have exceptional reputations and accreditation. But there are additional critical questions that you should ask concerning your college of choice also. As you commence your search for a physical therapy program, bear in mind that a number of variables will lead you to your ultimate decision. You might decide to go to different colleges to see their facilities and speak with current DPT students. While there, ask yourself this critical question: will this college help me achieve my goal of becoming a licensed practicing physical therapist? By adhering to our list of supplemental questions, you will have the ability to narrow down the options so you can make the appropriate selection. And with the necessary education and training, you can achieve your dream of becoming a practicing physical therapist in Westley CA.

A Few More Interesting Locations in California

  • Physical Therapist Schools | Get Your Physical Therapy Degree – Sonoma CA
  • Physical Therapist Schools | Get Your Physical Therapy Degree – Jackson CA
  • Physical Therapist Schools | Get Your Physical Therapy Degree – Campbell CA
  • Physical Therapist Schools | Get Your Physical Therapy Degree – Marina Del Rey CA
  • Physical Therapist Schools | Get Your Physical Therapy Degree – Rosemead CA
  • Physical Therapist Schools | Get Your Physical Therapy Degree – Farmersville CA
  • Physical Therapist Schools | Get Your Physical Therapy Degree – Elk Creek CA
  • Physical Therapist Schools | Get Your Physical Therapy Degree – Playa Del Rey CA
  • Physical Therapist Schools | Get Your Physical Therapy Degree – Hanford CA
  • Physical Therapist Schools | Get Your Physical Therapy Degree – Wasco CA
  •  

     

    The location could not be found.

     

    Business Results 1 - 10 of 66

    Golden Bear Physical Therapy & Sports Injury Center
    14 Reviews
    Physical Therapy, Sports Medicine, Weight Loss Centers
    Phone:
    1700 Keystone Pacific Pkwy, Ste C2, Patterson, CA 95363

    Orthopedic Physical Therapy Institute, Inc.
    18 Reviews
    Physical Therapy
    Phone:
    4028 Dale Rd, Ste 101, Modesto, CA 95356

    Tokheim Corbett Physical Therapy
    5 Reviews
    Physical Therapy
    Phone:
    1191 E Yosemite Ave, Ste A, Manteca, CA 95336

    Biosport Physical Therapy
    9 Reviews
    Physical Therapy
    Phone:
    1933 Coffee Rd, Modesto, CA 95355

    Core Physical Therapy
    10 Reviews
    Physical Therapy, Sports Medicine
    Phone:
    122 W Granger Ave, Modesto, CA 95350

    Golden Bear Physical Therapy & Sports Injury Center
    6 Reviews
    Physical Therapy, Sports Medicine, Weight Loss Centers
    Phone:
    855 S Schulte Rd, Tracy, CA 95376

    Andersen Physical Therapy
    26 Reviews
    Physical Therapy
    Phone:
    1917 Coffee Rd, Modesto, CA 95355

    Golden Bear Physical Therapy & Sports Injury Center
    17 Reviews
    Physical Therapy, Sports Medicine, Weight Loss Centers
    Phone:
    4318 Spyres Way, Modesto, CA 95356

    Active Physical Therapy & Associates
    9 Reviews
    Physical Therapy, Chiropractors, Massage Therapy
    Phone:
    1423 N Tracy Blvd, Tracy, CA 95376

    Amber Kingsley DC, QME
    5 Reviews
    Chiropractors, Physical Therapy
    Phone:
    1012 Carver Rd, Chiropractic Health Center, Modesto, CA 95350