Physical Therapist Schools | Get Your Physical Therapy Degree – Kenton DE

How to Choose a Physical Therapist School near Kenton 19955

Kenton DE physical therapy school student with volunteerObtaining a physical therapist degree near Kenton DE is a critical first step to launching a fulfilling career in the healthcare industry. Physical therapists (PT) help individuals who have been incapacitated due to illness or injury regain mobility and function. But before they may legally practice and provide treatment for the rehabilitation of patients, they need to acquire the appropriate training and education. A PT must also become licensed in all states, a large number mandating that the licensee earn a physical therapy degree from an accredited college. So before choosing a physical therapy school, it’s important to research the ones you are considering to make certain they will deliver a superior education and meet your state’s licensing requirements. What you do not want to do is choose 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 must be considered along with cost and location. But before we talk about 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’s Job Description?

Kenton DE physical therapist helping patient walkPhysical therapists work in diverse locations, such as Kenton DE hospitals, health clinics, rehabilitation centers, nursing homes and sports facilities. What the facilities all have in common is that they are equipped for diagnosing and rehabilitating patients. As earlier mentioned, physical therapists help individuals that are experiencing a lack of mobility and in many cases pain caused by injury or illness. After patient diagnosis, they design a course of treatment to resolve the mobility issues and reduce or eradicate any pain. They also try to prevent any progression of the disability. Though the causes of disability necessitating physical therapy are abundant, they include:

  • Arthritis or Osteoporosis
  • Car or motor cycle accidents
  • Strokes.
  • Heart attacks.
  • Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.
  • Burn injuries.
  • Hip Replacement.
  • Sciatica.
  • Cerebral Palsy.

Licensed physical therapists work in close affiliation with other Kenton DE health specialists, including chiropractors, physicians, dentists and nurses. They can also supervise several physical therapy assistants who work for them in the diagnosis and treatment of their patients. One thing to bear in mind for anyone thinking about going into the physical therapy profession, it is quite physically demanding. Physical therapists routinely lift patients and heavy equipment, and stand, crouch and kneel for prolonged periods of time on a daily basis.

Physical Therapist Degrees Offered

Kenton DE physical therapist applying acupuncture to patientThere are 3 physical therapist degree options available for individuals to pursue at the graduate and undergraduate levels. Of these choices, the only degree that is attainable to become a physical therapist is the doctorate. Undergraduate degrees concentrate on either training students to become a physical therapy assistant (PTA) or prepping them to advance to the doctoral level. Below are brief explanations of degree levels that are offered in the Kenton DE area:

  • Associate Degrees prepare students to practice as physical therapy assistants, or can be used as a stepping stone to a more advanced degree. Candidates must have earned a high school diploma or equivalent to be accepted for enrollment. The degrees are usually provided by junior or community colleges, and take about 2 years to complete. Clinical training, which may be in the form of an internship is usually a component of the program.
  • Bachelor’s Degrees are designed as pre-physical therapist education to prepare students to move up to the doctoral level. While they are not required to be eligible for the doctoral program, they are an essential initial step to becoming a PT. Similar to most bachelor’s degrees, they generally take 4 years to complete and often incorporate an internship program of a minimum of 500 hours.
  • Doctorate Degrees are mandated 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). After earning the bachelor’s degree, the doctoral takes three years to finish, making the overall commitment seven years in the majority of cases. Clinical or practical training is an important component along with the extensive lab and classroom instruction. Therefor the completion of an internship is mandated, not only for graduation but in a number of 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 licensed physical therapists holding a master’s or even a bachelor’s degree were “grandfathered” in before the existing licensing requirement for a doctorate was instituted.

Physical Therapy Online Colleges

woman attending physical therapy school online in Kenton DEAlthough not as common as the on-campus alternatives, there are a number of accredited online physical therapist degrees available, even more at the graduate level. Because of the hands-on structure of the training, internships and clinical lab work are incorporated with the online classes. This necessitates that the student live near the college campus or nearby a sponsored internship. However, the online segment of the curriculum may be accessed within the comfort and convenience of the student’s Kenton DE home. Online schools are not only partially more accessible, but in many cases more affordable. Tuition can be somewhat less than comparable on campus options, and expenses for commuting are minimized. And many of the online programs are accredited by the CAPTE, ensuring a quality education. These benefits can make the online option the ideal choice for those students that are disciplined enough to learn at home.

What to Ask Physical Therapist Schools

At this point you probably have come to decision concerning several of your initial queries, like the kind of physical therapy degree you would like to obtain, where you prefer to attend classes, and how much you can afford to invest in your education. But because there are so many PT schools within the Kenton DE area and throughout Delaware, you’ll have to research other qualifications also so as to further narrow your list of college choices. Moreover, you want 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 schools you are thinking about. Ask each of the potential schools these questions before making an ultimate selection.

Is the Physical Therapy Program 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 school, it may also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council. It’s essential that both the physical therapy school and program you enroll in are accredited, not just the school. Additionally, check that the accreditation is from a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged accrediting organization. In addition to guaranteeing that you obtain an excellent education, accreditation may be required for state licensing as well as for securing student loans or financial assistance.

What is the College’s Standing? In addition to accreditation, it’s important that the school and program you select have exceptional reputations within the physical therapist profession. There are a number of ways you can look into a PT college’s reputation, beginning with asking for 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. Get in touch with some Kenton DE physical therapy clinics or other healthcare facilities that you might have an interest in working for and ask if they can provide any advice about your school selections. It might also be a good idea to contact the Delaware Attorney General and school licensing authority to see if any complaints have been filed against the colleges.

What is the College’s Job Placement Rate? There are a two significant statistics that you should find out about each of the physical therapy schools you are considering. First is their graduation rate. A lower rate might indicate that students left due to displeasure with the program, the teachers, or both. After the students have graduated, what percentage of them are being placed in jobs with the support of the college’s job placement program, particularly in the Kenton DE area? If a college has a higher job placement rate, it suggests that its reputation within the health care community is good or even exceptional. It also confirms that the school has a broad network of contacts to help students get internships or jobs after graduation.

Does the College Prepare You For Licensing Requirements? It’s essential that the program you select furnishes both superior training and a curriculum that satisfies the licensing requirements for Delaware or the state where you will be practicing. In each state a passing score is needed on the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) along with a degree from an accredited physical therapy college. Although licensing requirements differ state by state for PT and PTA graduates, a number of states require a minimum amount of clinical hours be completed as well as passing scores on supplemental tests.

Are Internships Sponsored? Ask if the physical therapy schools you are evaluating have relationships with Kenton DE hospitals or clinics for internship programs. Not only are internships a terrific way to receive practical training in a clinical environment, they are also a requirement for most PT programs and state licensing. As a supplemental benefit, they can help graduates and students form professional connections in the Kenton health care community and help with job placement after licensing.

How Large are the Classes ? Unless you are the kind of student that prefers to sit way in the back of the classroom or hide in the crowd, you will undoubtedly want a smaller class size. Small classes permit more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the physical therapist colleges you are reviewing what the average teacher to student ratio is for their classes. If practical you may prefer to sit in on one or more classes before making your ultimate decision. This will also give you an opportunity to speak with a few of the instructors and students to get their perspectives regarding the pharmacist tech program as well.

Where is the School Located? For a lot of students, the physical therapy college they select will need to be within travelling distance of their Kenton DE residence. Those who have decided to attend classes online obviously will not have to worry themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of local internships will be of importance. One thing to bear in mind is that if you decide to enroll in a program that is out of state or perhaps out of your local area, you may be required to pay a higher tuition. State colleges commonly charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges commonly charge a higher tuition to those students that don’t reside within their districts.

Is Financial Help Provided? The majority of DPT colleges supply some type of financial assistance to their prospective students. Find out if the schools you are reviewing have a financial aid office and find out what kind of aid is obtainable. They at least should help in acquiring a student loan or any grants you may qualify for. Some physical therapy schools provide scholarships, while others provide work programs. So before you eliminate a program because the tuition is beyond your budget, learn what financial assistance might be available.

Can the College Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you must verify that the physical therapy program you finally choose can furnish the class schedule you need. This is especially important if you opt to continue working while attending classes. If you need to schedule night or weekend classes in the Kenton DE area, make certain that they are available. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, verify if that is an option and how many credit hours or courses you would have to carry. Also, ask what the procedure is for making up any classes that you might miss because of illness, work or family obligations.

Earning Your Physical Therapy Degree near Kenton Delaware?

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

Kenton, Delaware

The Village of Kenton is a crossroads community located at the intersection of Route 42 and Route 300 in Kenton Hundred, Delaware. The village dates from the last decade of the 18th century, but did not achieve its peak until the last half of the 19th century when the Delaware and Maryland Railroad line was put through from Clayton to Maryland.[5]

Kenton was first laid out in 1796 by Philip Lewis who had begun to acquire property in the area five years before in 1791. The community was first known as Georgetown, then as Lewis Crossroads and finally, in 1806, by the name of Kenton.[5]

The Kenton Historic District was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1983. Other sites at or near Kenton on the National Register of Historic Places are the: George Arnold House, Aspendale, Thomas Attix House, J. F. Betz House, Benjamin Blackiston House, W. D. Burrows House, Scene of Cheyney Clow's Rebellion, Clark-Pratt House, Cooper House, Thomas Davis House, N. C. Downs House, T.H. Denny House, Green Mansion House (Kenton, Delaware), Robert Hill House, Hoffecker-Lockwood House, Alfred L. Hudson House, Kenton Post Office, Thomas Lamb Farm, Thomas Lamb House, Jefferson Lewis House, Delaplane McDaniel House, Poinsett House, Somerville, William Stevens House, James Williams House, and Wright-Carry House.[6]

Select the Best Physical Therapy Training Program near Kenton DE

Selecting the ideal physical therapy program is an important initial decision you need to make to start a gratifying career in the health care profession. As we have covered in this article, the DPT or PT degree program and college you decide on should both have excellent reputations and accreditation. However there are additional critical questions that you need to ask pertaining to your school of choice as well. As you begin your search for a physical therapy college, keep in mind that numerous variables will guide you toward your ultimate decision. You may want to go to each of the campuses to see their facilities and speak with current DPT students. While there, ask yourself this critical question: will this college help me reach my goal of becoming a licensed practicing physical therapist? By following our list of supplemental questions, you will have the ability to narrow down the options 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 Kenton DE.

A Few More Interesting Locations in Delaware

  • Physical Therapist Schools | Get Your Physical Therapy Degree – Yorklyn DE
  • Physical Therapist Schools | Get Your Physical Therapy Degree – Milford DE
  • Physical Therapist Schools | Get Your Physical Therapy Degree – Cheswold DE
  • Physical Therapist Schools | Get Your Physical Therapy Degree – Little Creek DE
  • Physical Therapist Schools | Get Your Physical Therapy Degree – Georgetown DE
  • Physical Therapist Schools | Get Your Physical Therapy Degree – Dagsboro DE
  • Physical Therapist Schools | Get Your Physical Therapy Degree – Milton DE
  • Physical Therapist Schools | Get Your Physical Therapy Degree – Bridgeville DE
  • Physical Therapist Schools | Get Your Physical Therapy Degree – Delmar DE
  • Physical Therapist Schools | Get Your Physical Therapy Degree – Woodside DE
  •  

     

    The location could not be found.

     

    Business Results 1 - 10 of 8

    ATI Physical Therapy
    2 Reviews
    Physical Therapy, Rehabilitation Center
    Phone:
    1288 S Governors Ave, Dover, DE 19904

    Middletown Chiropractic and Rehabilitation
    6 Reviews
    Chiropractors, Acupuncture, Physical Therapy
    Phone:
    421 E Main St, Middletown, DE 19709

    ATI Physical Therapy
    2 Reviews
    Physical Therapy, Sports Medicine
    Phone:
    260 Beiser Blvd, Ste 102, Dover, DE 19904

    Skocik Chiropractic
    2 Reviews
    Chiropractors
    Phone:
    1111 S Governors Ave, Dover, DE 19904

    Christiana Care
    5 Reviews
    Physical Therapy
    Phone:
    124 Sleepy Hollow Dr, Ste 101, Middletown, DE 19709

    ATI Physical Therapy
    1 Reviews
    Physical Therapy, Rehabilitation Center
    Phone:
    114 Sandhill Dr, Ste 103, Middletown, DE 19709

    ALL Therapy
    0 Reviews
    Physical Therapy, Rehabilitation Center, Massage Therapy
    Phone:
    212 Carter Dr, Ste C, Middletown, DE 19709

    Christiana Care Health System
    1 Reviews
    Physical Therapy, Doctors
    Phone:
    124 Sleepy Hollow Dr, Ste 101, Middletown, DE 19709