Physical Therapist Schools | Get Your Physical Therapy Degree – Glenwood MD

How to Find the Right Physical Therapy College near Glenwood 21738

Glenwood MD physical therapy school student with volunteerGetting a physical therapist degree near Glenwood MD is a critical first step to starting a rewarding career in the health care field. Physical therapists (PT) help patients who have been disabled as a result of injury or illness regain function and mobility. But before they can practice and provide treatment for the rehabilitation of patients, they must acquire the necessary education and training. A PT must also be licensed in all states, many requiring that the licensee hold a physical therapy degree from an accredited college. So prior to choosing a physical therapy school, it’s essential to investigate the ones you are thinking about to ensure they will deliver a quality education and comply with your state’s licensing criteria. What you do not want to do is enroll in a college just because it happens to be the nearest to your residence or it has the most affordable tuition. There are other significant qualifications that need to be considered along with cost and location. But before we talk about what those qualifications are and what questions you should ask, we’ll cover what a physical therapist does and the options for education.

What is a Physical Therapist?

Glenwood MD physical therapist helping patient walkPhysical therapists practice in varying locations, including Glenwood MD hospitals, health clinics, rehabilitation centers, nursing homes and health clubs. What the facilities all have in common is that they have the equipment for diagnosing and rehabilitating patients. As previously mentioned, physical therapists help individuals that are suffering from a lack of mobility and frequently pain caused by injury or illness. After diagnosing a patient, they develop a program of treatment to resolve the mobility issues and reduce or eradicate any pain. They also strive to prevent any progression of the disability. While the causes of disability necessitating physical therapy are abundant, they include:

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

Licensed physical therapists work in close affiliation with other Glenwood MD medical specialists, including doctors, chiropractors, dentists and nurses. They can also oversee one or more physical therapy assistants who work for them in the diagnosis and treatment of their patients. Something to bear in mind for anyone thinking about entering the physical therapy field, it is rather physically demanding. Physical therapists routinely lift patients and heavy equipment, and kneel, crouch and stand for long periods of time on a daily basis.

Physical Therapist Degrees Available

Glenwood MD physical therapist applying acupuncture to patientThere are 3 physical therapist degrees available for students to pursue at the undergraduate and graduate levels. Of these alternatives, the one degree that is attainable to become a physical therapist is the doctorate. Undergraduate degrees emphasize either preparing students to become a physical therapy assistant (PTA) or readying them to advance to the doctoral level. Below are brief summaries of degree levels that are offered in the Glenwood MD area:

  • Associate Degrees prepare students to become physical therapy assistants, or may be used as a stepping stone to a more advanced degree. Applicants must have obtained a high school diploma or GED to qualify for enrollment. The degrees are typically made available by junior or community colleges, and require 2 years for completion. Clinical training, which may be in the form of an internship is normally a portion of the course of study.
  • Bachelor’s Degrees are designed as pre-physical therapist training to prep students to move up to the doctoral level. Although they are not a requirement to be qualified for the doctoral program, they are an integral first step to practicing as 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 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). In addition to the bachelor’s degree, the doctoral takes three years to finish, making the overall investment of time seven years in the majority of cases. Clinical or practical training is an essential component along with the considerable lab and classroom instruction. Therefor the completion of an internship is mandated, not just for graduation but in a number of states for licensing as well.

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 offered in the USA. A number of practicing physical therapists having a master’s or even a bachelor’s degree were “grandfathered” in prior to the present licensing requirement for a doctorate was instituted.

Physical Therapy Colleges Online

woman attending physical therapy school online in Glenwood MDWhile not as common as the on campus options, there are some accredited online physical therapist programs available, even more at the graduate level. Due to the hands-on nature of the training, internships and clinical lab work are incorporated with the online classes. This requires that the student live near the college campus or in proximity of an available internship. Fortunately, the online part of the program may be accessed within the convenience and comfort of the student’s Glenwood MD residence. Online schools are not only to some extent more accessible, but in a number of cases more economical. Tuition might be significantly less than comparable on campus alternatives, and expenditures for commuting are reduced. And many of the online schools are accredited by the CAPTE, assuring a quality education. These advantages may make the online option the best choice for those students that are disciplined enough to learn at home.

What to Ask Physical Therapist Schools

At this point you undoubtedly have made a decision concerning a few of your initial questions, including the type of physical therapy degree you intend to attain, where you want to attend classes, and how much money you can afford to spend for your education. But since there are numerous PT colleges within the Glenwood MD area and across Maryland, you’ll have to research additional qualifications as well in order to further reduce your list of school options. Furthermore, you need to be sure that you choose the college that is best for you. That’s the reason we have collected a list of critical questions that you must ask the physical therapy schools you are reviewing. Ask all of the potential schools these questions prior to making a final selection.

Is the Physical Therapy Program Accredited?  Ask if the schools you are considering have received accreditation from a national or a regional organization. As earlier mentioned, if you are pursuing a doctorate the program must be accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE). If you choose an online school, it may also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council. It’s important that both the physical therapy program and school you enroll in are accredited, not simply the school. Also, make sure that the accreditation is through a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting agency. Along with ensuring that you obtain a quality education, accreditation may be mandated for state licensing and even for getting student loans or financial aid.

What is the Program’s Ranking? Along with accreditation, it’s important that the school and program you pick have exceptional reputations within the physical therapy community. There are a number of ways you can research a PT college’s reputation, beginning with asking for references from employers that they place their graduates with. You can also search for online rating services and reviews and ask the accrediting agencies for their reviews also. Call a few Glenwood MD physical therapist clinics or other healthcare facilities that you might have an interest in working for and ask if they can offer any insight about your college selections. It might also be prudent to check with the Maryland Attorney General and school licensing authority to see if any complaints have been submitted against the schools.

What is the School’s Job Placement Percentage? There are a two important statistics that you need to know about each of the physical therapy programs you are looking at. One is their graduation rate. A lower rate may suggest that students left because of displeasure with the program, the teachers, or both. Once the students have graduated, how many of them are being placed in jobs with the support of the school’s job placement program, particularly in the Glenwood MD area? If a program has a higher job placement rate, it suggests that its reputation within the medical care community is good or even outstanding. It also confirms that the program has a broad network of contacts to help students obtain internships or employment upon graduation.

Does the School Prepare You For Licensing Requirements? It’s important that the school you choose provides both superior training and a course of study that supports the licensing requirements for Maryland or the state where you will be practicing. In each state a passing score is required on the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) as well as a degree from an accredited physical therapy program. Although licensing requirements differ state by state for PTA and PT graduates, a number of states require a minimum number of clinical hours be completed as well as passing scores on additional exams.

Are Internships Provided? Inquire if the physical therapist schools you are assessing have associations with Glenwood MD hospitals or clinics for internship programs. Internships are not only an excellent means to receive hands on experience in a clinical environment, they are also a requirement for most PT programs and state licensing. As a supplemental benefit, they can assist students and graduates develop professional connections in the Glenwood medical community and help with job placement after licensing.

What are the Class Sizes ? Unless you are the type of student that likes to sit far in the back of class or hide in the crowd, you will undoubtedly prefer a smaller class size. Smaller classes enable more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the physical therapy schools 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 a chance to talk with a few of the instructors and students 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 choose will need to be within commuting distance of their Glenwood MD residence. Students who have opted 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. Something to bear in mind is that if you decide to enroll in a school that is out of state or even out of your local area, you might have to pay a higher tuition. State colleges typically charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges often charge a higher tuition for those students that don’t reside within their districts.

Is Financial Support Offered? Most DPT schools supply some type of financial aid to their potential students. Ask if the schools you are looking at have a financial assistance department and see what type of aid is available. At a minimum they should help in getting a student loan or any scholarships you may be eligible for. A number of physical therapy schools offer scholarships, while others provide work programs. So before you eliminate a school because the tuition is beyond your budget, ask what financial aid might be available.

Can the School Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you need to verify that the physical therapy program you finally select can provide the class schedule you need. This is particularly important if you decide to continue working while attending school. If you must schedule evening or weekend classes in the Glenwood MD area, verify that they are offered. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, verify if that is an alternative and how many courses or credit hours you would need to carry. Also, learn what the procedure is for making up any classes that you might miss due to work, illness or family obligations.

Earning Your Physical Therapy Degree near Glenwood Maryland?

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

Glenwood, Howard County, Maryland

Glenwood is an unincorporated community in Howard County, Maryland, United States.[1] It is located between Baltimore and Washington, D.C., therefore attracting commuters to those employment centers. The community features acres of open space and is districted to Bushy Park Elementary, Glenwood and Folly Quarter Middle, and Glenelg High schools. Union Chapel was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1975 and Round About Hills was added in 2008.[2]

The area was settled in the early 18th century by the Ridgley and Warfield families forming large tobacco plantations "Bushy Park", "Longwood", "Ellerslie" and others. In 1822 James B. Matthews purchased a 200-acre farm and stone home from Caleb Dorsey. He opened a post office, on July 30, 1841 giving the area the name "Matthews Store" in the Howard District of Anne Arundel County, which operated until January 1874.[3][4] The Union Chapel was built in 1833. The Anne Arundel community became part of the newly formed Howard County. Despite southern sympathies, the Civil war ended slave labor on the local farms, slavery was replaced with Jim Crow laws. The Phrenakosmian Hall was opened, renamed to the Howard Institute serving 25 children. On January 13, 1874 the Glenwood postal stop opened.[3] It was renamed to Glenwood by James Matthew's son, Professor Lycurgus Matthews.[5][6]

In 1995, Glenwood land developer Randolph Ayersman made national news after police found that profits from drug sales were being used to buy and develop properties under A&A contracting in Glenwood.[7][8]

Pick the Right Physical Therapy College near Glenwood MD

Selecting the ideal physical therapy program is a necessary first decision you need to make to start a fulfilling career in the medical field. As we have discussed in this article, the DPT or PT degree program and college you pick should both have excellent reputations and accreditation. However there are additional critical questions that you need to ask concerning your school of choice as well. As you begin your search for a physical therapy school, bear in mind that a number of factors will lead you toward your ultimate decision. You might decide to visit each of the campuses to see their facilities and talk to active DPT students. While there, ask yourself this important 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 training and education, you can accomplish your dream to become a licensed physical therapist in Glenwood MD.

A Few More Interesting Locations in Maryland

  • Physical Therapist Schools | Get Your Physical Therapy Degree – Kensington MD
  • Physical Therapist Schools | Get Your Physical Therapy Degree – Elkton MD
  • Physical Therapist Schools | Get Your Physical Therapy Degree – Federalsburg MD
  • Physical Therapist Schools | Get Your Physical Therapy Degree – White Plains MD
  • Physical Therapist Schools | Get Your Physical Therapy Degree – Funkstown MD
  • Physical Therapist Schools | Get Your Physical Therapy Degree – Perry Hall MD
  • Physical Therapist Schools | Get Your Physical Therapy Degree – Curtis Bay MD
  • Physical Therapist Schools | Get Your Physical Therapy Degree – Annapolis Junction MD
  • Physical Therapist Schools | Get Your Physical Therapy Degree – Port Deposit MD
  • Physical Therapist Schools | Get Your Physical Therapy Degree – Dunkirk MD
  •  

     

    The location could not be found.

     

    Business Results 1 - 10 of 505

    BEAT Physical Therapy
    16 Reviews
    Physical Therapy, Pain Management
    Phone:
    5840 Banneker Rd, Ste 230, Columbia, MD 21044

    AAA Physical Therapy
    11 Reviews
    Physical Therapy, Rehabilitation Center, Pain Management
    Phone:
    6955 Oakland Mills Rd, Ste E, Columbia, MD 21045

    Integrated Sport, Spine & Rehab
    26 Reviews
    Physical Therapy, Chiropractors, Sports Medicine
    Phone:
    3420 Morningwood Dr, Olney, MD 20832

    Apex Rehab LLC - Physical Therapy
    18 Reviews
    Physical Therapy
    Phone:
    806 W Diamond Ave, Ste 200, Gaithersburg, MD 20878

    Physical Therapy First
    3 Reviews
    Physical Therapy
    Phone:
    5005 Signal Bell Ln, Ste 202, Clarksville, MD 21029

    BodyWise Physical Therapy
    8 Reviews
    Physical Therapy, Acupuncture, Massage Therapy
    Phone:
    9881 Broken Land Pkwy, Ste 103, Columbia, MD 21046

    Violand & McNerney, PA Physical Therapists
    3 Reviews
    Physical Therapy
    Phone:
    5024 Dorsey Hall Dr, Ste 103, Ellicott City, MD 21042

    Recharge|HoCo CrossFit
    4 Reviews
    Physical Therapy, Interval Training Gyms
    Phone:
    5136 Dorsey Hall Dr, Ellicott City, MD 21042

    FYZICAL Therapy & Balance Centers
    12 Reviews
    Physical Therapy, Massage Therapy, Rehabilitation Center
    Phone:
    12800 Middlebrook Rd, Ste 100, Germantown, MD 20874

    Physical Therapy & Sports Medicine Center
    4 Reviews
    Physical Therapy, Sports Medicine
    Phone:
    17902 Georgia Ave, Ste 100, Olney, MD 20832