Physical Therapist Schools | Get Your Physical Therapy Degree - High Ridge MO

How to Choose a Physical Therapist College near High Ridge 63049

High Ridge MO physical therapy school student with volunteer Getting a physical therapist degree near High Ridge MO is an important first step to beginning a fulfilling career in the healthcare field. Physical therapists (PT) help individuals who have been disabled as a result of illness or injury gain back function and mobility. But before they may legally practice and work with the rehabilitation of patients, they must acquire the proper training and education. A PT must additionally be licensed in all states, a large number requiring that the licensee hold a physical therapy degree from an accredited school. So prior to selecting a physical therapy school, it’s important to investigate those you are thinking about to make sure they will furnish a superior education and meet your state’s licensing requirements. What you do not want to do is enroll in a school simply because it happens to be the closest to your residence or it has the lowest tuition. There are other important qualifications that must be considered besides location and cost. But before we discuss what those qualifications are and the questions you should be asking, we’ll cover what a physical therapist does and what the educational options are.

What Does a Physical Therapist Do?

High Ridge MO physical therapist helping patient walk Physical therapists work in diverse locations, such as High Ridge MO hospitals, health clinics, rehabilitation centers, nursing homes and health clubs. What the facilities all share in common is that they are equipped for diagnosing and rehabilitating patients. As earlier touched on, physical therapists help people that are struggling with a lack of mobility and often pain due to injury or illness. After patient diagnosis, they create a program of treatment to address the mobility problems and reduce or eliminate any pain. They also try to prevent any progression of the disability. Though the causes of disability requiring physical therapy are numerous, they include:

Arthritis or Osteoporosis
Car or motor cycle accidents
Head injuries.
Cardiac arrest.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.
Fire injuries.
Knee Replacement.
Sciatica.
Cerebral Palsy.

Licensed physical therapists practice in close affiliation with other High Ridge MO health professionals, including chiropractors, physicians, dentists and nurses. They can also supervise one or more physical therapy assistants who work for them assisting with diagnosing and treating their patients. Something to keep in mind for anyone thinking about getting into the physical therapy profession, it is rather 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 Therapy Degrees

High Ridge MO physical therapist applying acupuncture to patient There are 3 physical therapist degrees offered for students to enroll in at the graduate and undergraduate levels. Of these choices, the only degree that is offered to become a physical therapist is the doctorate. Undergraduate degrees target either training students to become a physical therapy assistant (PTA) or preparing them to progress to the doctoral level. Below are brief descriptions of degree levels that are offered in the High Ridge MO area:

Associate Degrees prepare students to be 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 offered by community or junior colleges, and require 2 years for completion. Clinical training, which may be in the form of an internship is normally a portion of the curriculum.
Bachelor’s Degrees are designed as pre-physical therapy education to prepare candidates to move up 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 the majority of bachelor’s degrees, they generally take four years to finish and often incorporate an internship program of at least 500 hours.
Doctorate Degrees are a requirement if you want 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 3 years to complete, making the overall investment of time seven years in most cases. Clinical or practical training is an intregal component in addition to the substantial lab and classroom instruction. Consequently the completion of an internship is mandated, not solely for graduation but in some states for licensing also.

The Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) has replaced the Master’s of Physical Therapy (MPT), which has been eliminated and is no longer available in the USA. Some practicing physical therapists holding a master’s or in some cases a bachelor’s degree were “grandfathered” in before the existing licensing mandate for a doctorate was instituted.

Physical Therapist Online Programs

woman attending physical therapy school online in High Ridge MO Although not as prevalent as the on campus options, there are some accredited online physical therapist degrees available, even more at the graduate level. Due to the hands-on structure of the training, internships and clinical lab work are combined with the online classes. This requires that the student live close to the school campus or nearby an available internship. Fortunately, the online portion of the curriculum may be accessed within the comfort and convenience of the student’s High Ridge MO residence. Online schools are not only to some extent more accessible, but in a number of cases more affordable. Tuition may be significantly less than comparable on campus alternatives, and costs for commuting are reduced. And a number 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 dedicated enough to attend classes at home.

Topics to Ask Physical Therapist Schools

By now you most likely have made a decision regarding a few of your preliminary queries, like the kind of physical therapist degree you want to attain, where you prefer to attend classes, and how much money you can afford to spend for your education. But because there are so many PT colleges within the High Ridge MO area and throughout Missouri, you’ll need to explore additional qualifications as well so as to further narrow your list of college options. Furthermore, you need to make certain that you select the program that is ideal for you. That’s why we have compiled a list of essential questions that you need to ask the physical therapist programs you are thinking about. Ask all of the potential colleges these questions before making a final selection.

Is the Physical Therapist Program Accredited? Ask if the schools you are reviewing have received accreditation from a regional or a national 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 enroll in an online program, it can also earn accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council. It’s imperative that both the physical therapist school and program you select are accredited, not just the school. Also, make sure that the accreditation is from a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged accrediting agency. Besides ensuring that you obtain an excellent education, accreditation might be required for state licensing and even for getting student loans or financial assistance.

What is the School’s Reputation? Along with accreditation, it’s imperative that the college and program you select have exceptional reputations within the physical therapist profession. There are multiple ways you can investigate a PT program’s reputation, beginning with asking for references from employers that they refer their students to. You may also search for online reviews and rating services and ask the accrediting organizations for their reviews as well. Contact a few High Ridge MO physical therapy clinics or other healthcare facilities that you might be interested in working for and ask if they can offer any insight about your school options. It may also be prudent to contact the Missouri Attorney General and school licensing authority to find out if any complaints have been filed against the colleges.

What is the School’s Job Placement Rate? There are a two important statistics that you need to find out about all of the physical therapist programs you are looking at. First is their graduation rate. A lower rate might suggest that students left because of dissatisfaction with the program, the instructors, or both. After the students have graduated, how many of them are being placed in jobs with the assistance of the school’s job placement program, particularly in the High Ridge MO area? If a school has a higher job placement rate, it suggests that its reputation within the health care community is good or perhaps exceptional. It also affirms that the college has a wide network of contacts to assist students gain internships or jobs upon graduation.

Does the School Prepare You For Licensing Requirements? It’s important that the program you choose provides both superior training and a course of study that satisfies the licensing requirements for Missouri or the state where you will be practicing. In every state a passing score is needed on the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) in addition to a degree from an accredited physical therapy program. While licensing requirements fluctuate state by state for PT and PTA graduates, some states require a minimum amount of clinical hours be completed and passing scores on supplemental tests.

Are Internship Programs Sponsored? Inquire if the physical therapy programs you are assessing have associations with High Ridge MO clinics or hospitals for internship programs. Internships are not only an excellent way 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 graduates and students develop professional connections in the High Ridge medical community and assist with job placement once licensed.

How Large are the Classes ? Unless you are the sort of student that prefers to sit far in the back of the classroom or get lost in the crowd, you will undoubtedly want a small class size. Smaller classes permit more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the physical therapist schools you are considering what the typical student to teacher ratio is for their classrooms. If practical you may prefer to sit in on one or more classes before making your final determination. This will also give you an opportunity to speak with some of the students and instructors to get their opinions regarding the pharmacist technician program as well.

Where is the College Located? For many students, the physical therapist school they select will have to be within driving distance of their High Ridge MO residence. Individuals who have opted to attend classes online 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 decide to enroll in a school that is out of state or perhaps out of your local area, you may need to pay a higher tuition. State colleges generally charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges usually charge a higher tuition for those students that live outside of their districts.

Is Financial Assistance Provided? The majority of DPT colleges supply some type of financial aid to their potential students. Find out if the colleges you are reviewing have a financial assistance department and see what kind of aid is available. They at least should help in obtaining a student loan or any grants you may be eligible for. A number of physical therapy schools offer scholarships, while others provide work programs. So before eliminating a school because the tuition is too expensive, find out what financial assistance might be available.

Can the College Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you must confirm that the physical therapy program you finally choose can furnish the class schedule you need. This is especially essential if you choose to continue working while you attend classes. If you need to schedule night or weekend classes in the High Ridge MO area, confirm that they are offered. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, check if that is an alternative and how many courses or credit hours you would have to enroll in. Also, ask what the procedure is for making up any classes that you might miss due to illness, work or family emergencies.

Earning Your Physical Therapy Degree near High Ridge Missouri?

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

High Ridge, Missouri

High Ridge is a census-designated place (CDP) in Jefferson County, Missouri, United States. The population was 4,598 in the 2007 estimated census.[1] It was 4,236 at the 2000 census. At 927 feet (283 m) above sea level, High Ridge is the second-highest point in Jefferson County, second only to Sun Ridge, north of Hillsboro according to data from the House Springs/Hillsboro 7.5 minute topographic quadrangles. High Ridge houses Beaumont Scout Reservation, a property of the Greater St. Louis Area Council, Boy Scouts of America.

High Ridge is located at 38°27′57″N 90°31′39″W / 38.46583°N 90.52750°W / 38.46583; -90.52750 (38.465787, -90.527517).[4] High Ridge is a nine-armed local topographic high capped with the Bushberg Sandstone, and part of the Burlington Escarpment. High point of the ridge is located near the Senior Center just north of High Ridge Boulevard, (old Gravois/Missouri Highway 30.) Flowing off this topographic high are Antire Creek, Rock Creek, Williams Creek, Saline Creek, Sugar Creek, Romaine Creek and lesser streams. It is bounded on one side by the Big River and the other by the Meramec River. The ridge is very cherty, and poor for conventional farming, hence the area became known for fruit trees, strawberries, blackberries and truck farm produce which were sold in St. Louis.

As of the census[2] of 2000, there were 4,236 people, 1,556 households, and 1,145 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 1,061.0 people per square mile (409.9/km²). There were 1,609 housing units at an average density of 403.0/sq mi (155.7/km²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 97.78% White, 0.31% African American, 0.12% Native American, 0.40% Asian, 0.14% from other races, and 1.25% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.16% of the population.

Select the Right Physical Therapist Training Program near High Ridge MO

Deciding on the right physical therapy school is an important first decision you must make to begin a fulfilling career in the health care profession. As we have addressed in this article, the DPT or PT degree program and school you pick should both have excellent reputations and be accredited. But there are additional important questions that you need to ask pertaining to your school of choice also. As you commence your search for a physical therapy college, keep in mind that a number of factors will guide you to your final decision. You might want to visit each of the campuses to view their facilities and speak with 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 adhering to our list of supplemental questions, you will be able to narrow down the field so you can make the appropriate selection. And with the necessary education and training, you can accomplish your dream of becoming a licensed physical therapist in High Ridge MO.