Physical Therapist Schools | Get Your Physical Therapy Degree – Frenchtown MT

How to Select a Physical Therapist School near Frenchtown 59834

Frenchtown MT physical therapy school student with volunteerReceiving a physical therapy degree near Frenchtown MT is an important first step to launching a rewarding career in the medical care field. Physical therapists (PT) help patients who have been disabled due to injury or illness gain back function and mobility. But before they may legally practice and provide treatment for the rehabilitation of patients, they must acquire the proper education and training. A PT must additionally be licensed in all states, many mandating that the licensee earn a physical therapy degree from an accredited college. So prior to choosing a physical therapy school, it’s essential to evaluate the ones you are thinking about to make certain they will supply a quality education and comply with your state’s licensing criteria. What you should not do is choose a school just because it happens to be the nearest to your home or it has the lowest tuition. There are other relevant qualifications that must be considered in addition to location and cost. But before we cover what those qualifications are and the questions you should be asking, we’ll cover what a physical therapist does and the options for education.

What is a Physical Therapist?

Frenchtown MT physical therapist helping patient walkPhysical therapists work in a variety of locations, such as Frenchtown MT hospitals, health clinics, assisted living facilities, rehab centers and sports facilities. What the facilities all share in common is that they are equipped for the diagnosis and rehabilitation treatment of patients. As earlier stated, 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 program of treatment to resolve the mobility issues and reduce or eradicate any pain. They also strive to stop any advancement of the disability. Though the causes of disability necessitating physical therapy are numerous, they include:

  • Arthritis or Osteoporosis
  • Motor vehicle accidents
  • Strokes.
  • Cardiac arrest.
  • Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.
  • Fire injuries.
  • Knee Replacement.
  • Sciatica.
  • Cerebral Palsy.

Licensed physical therapists practice in close association with other Frenchtown MT health professionals, including chiropractors, physicians, dentists and nurses. They can also manage several physical therapy assistants who work under them assisting with the diagnosis and treatment of their patients. One thing to bear in mind for anyone considering entering the physical therapy profession, it is quite physically demanding. Physical therapists often lift patients and heavy equipment, and kneel, crouch and stand for long periods of time on a daily basis.

Physical Therapist Degrees Offered

Frenchtown MT physical therapist applying acupuncture to patientThere are 3 physical therapy degrees available for individuals to pursue at the graduate and undergraduate levels. Of these alternatives, the one degree that is offered to become a physical therapist is the doctorate. Undergraduate degrees concentrate on either preparing students to become a physical therapy assistant (PTA) or readying them to progress to the doctoral level. Following are short summaries of degrees that are available in the Frenchtown MT area:

  • Associate Degrees prepare students to become physical therapy assistants, or can be the first step toward earning a more advanced degree. Applicants must have earned a high school diploma or GED to be accepted for enrollment. The degrees are typically offered by community or junior colleges, and take about two years to complete. Clinical training, which may be in the form of an internship is typically a component of the curriculum.
  • Bachelor’s Degrees are created as pre-physical therapy education to ready candidates to advance to the doctoral level. Although they are not a requirement to be qualified for the doctoral program, they are an essential preliminary step to becoming a PT. As with most bachelor’s degrees, they generally take 4 years to finish and commonly include an internship program of at least 500 hours.
  • Doctorate Degrees are required 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 3 years to finish, making the total commitment 7 years in the majority of cases. Clinical or practical training is an essential component along with the extensive lab and classroom instruction. Consequently the completion of an internship is required, not just for graduation but in several 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 United States. A number of licensed physical therapists holding a master’s or even a bachelor’s degree were “grandfathered” in before the current licensing requirement for a doctorate was instituted.

Physical Therapist Colleges Online

woman attending physical therapy school online in Frenchtown MTAlthough not as common as the on campus alternatives, there are many accredited online physical therapy programs offered, even more 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 requires that the student live near the college campus or in proximity of a sponsored internship. However, the online segment of the curriculum may be accessed within the comfort and convenience of the student’s Frenchtown MT residence. Online schools are not only to some extent more accessible, but in a number of instances more affordable. Tuition might be significantly lower than similar on-campus options, and expenses for commuting are reduced. And a number of the online schools are accredited by the CAPTE, ensuring a quality education. These advantages may make the online alternative the ideal choice for those students that are dedicated enough to learn at home.

What to Ask Physical Therapy Programs

At this point you most likely have made a decision concerning several of your preliminary queries, like the type of physical therapist degree you intend to obtain, where you prefer to attend classes, and how much money you can afford to invest in your education. But considering there are so many PT schools within the Frenchtown MT area and throughout Montana, you’ll need to research additional qualifications also so as to further narrow your list of school options. Also, you need to be sure that you select the school that is right for you. That’s why we have compiled a list of important questions that you need to ask the physical therapist programs you are reviewing. Ask each of the potential schools these questions before making an ultimate selection.

Is the Physical Therapist School Accredited?  Ask if the schools you are reviewing have received accreditation from a national or a regional organization. As earlier stated, 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 program, it may also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council. It’s essential that both the physical therapist program and school you enroll in are accredited, not simply the school. Additionally, verify that the accreditation is through 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? Along with accreditation, it’s imperative that the college and program you choose have excellent reputations within the physical therapy community. There are several ways you can investigate a PT program’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. Get in touch with several Frenchtown MT physical therapy centers or other health care facilities that you might be interested in working for and ask if they can offer any advice about your college selections. It may also be a good idea to check with the Montana 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 Percentage? There are a couple of relevant statistics that you need to find out about all of the physical therapy schools you are considering. First is their graduation rate. A lower rate may mean that students dropped out due to dissatisfaction with the program, the teachers, or both. After 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 Frenchtown MT area? If a school has a higher job placement rate, it’s an indication that its reputation within the healthcare community is good or even outstanding. It also confirms that the college has a large network of contacts to assist students get internships or jobs after graduation.

Does the College Prepare You For Licensing Requirements? It’s important that the program you choose furnishes both exceptional training and a curriculum that supports the licensing requirements for Montana or the state where you will be working. In every state a passing score is needed on the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) along with a degree from an accredited physical therapist school. Although licensing requirements differ state by state for PT and PTA graduates, a number of states require a minimum number of clinical hours be completed and passing scores on additional tests.

Are Internship Programs Offered? Ask if the physical therapist colleges you are reviewing have relationships with Frenchtown MT clinics or hospitals for internship programs. Not only are internships an excellent manner to obtain hands on experience in a clinical environment, they are additionally a requirement for the majority of PT programs and state licensing. As a supplemental benefit, they may help graduates and students establish professional connections in the Frenchtown medical community and assist with job placement once licensed.

How Large are the Classes ? Unless you are the sort of student that likes to sit way in the back of class or get lost in the crowd, you will undoubtedly want a smaller class size. Smaller classes permit more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the physical therapy colleges you are considering what the typical teacher to student ratio is for their classes. If practical you may want to sit in on one or more classes before making your ultimate decision. This will also give you an opportunity to talk with several of the instructors and students to get their opinions regarding the pharmacist tech program as well.

Where is the Program Located? For many students, the physical therapist school they decide on will need to be within driving distance of their Frenchtown MT residence. Those 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. One thing to bear in mind is that if you decide to enroll in a college that is out of state or perhaps out of your local area, you might have to pay a higher tuition. State colleges usually charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges commonly charge a higher tuition to those students that live outside of their districts.

Is Financial Aid Provided? Most DPT colleges supply some type of financial support to their potential students. Ask if the schools you are looking at have a financial assistance office and find out what kind of help is available. At a minimum they should help in acquiring a student loan or any scholarships you may be eligible for. Some physical therapy colleges provide scholarships, while others offer work programs. So before you eliminate a school because the tuition is beyond your budget, learn what financial aid might be available.

Can the Program Accommodate your Schedule? And last you must confirm that the physical therapist college you ultimately select can provide the class schedule you need. This is particularly crucial if you decide to continue working while attending classes. If you need to schedule night or weekend classes in the Frenchtown MT 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 carry. Also, ask what the protocol is for making up any classes that you may miss due to work, illness or family emergencies.

Earning Your Physical Therapy Degree near Frenchtown Montana?

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

Frenchtown, Montana

Frenchtown is a census-designated place (CDP) in Missoula County, Montana, United States. It is part of the 'Missoula, Montana Metropolitan Statistical Area'. The population was 1,825 at the 2010 census, an increase from its population of 883 in 2000.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 3.3 square miles (8.5 km2), of which, 3.2 square miles (8.3 km2) of it is land and 0.04 square miles (0.10 km2) of it (0.91%) is water.

As of the census[5] of 2010, there were 1,825 people, 291 households, and 235 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 271.8 people per square mile (104.9/km2). There were 302 housing units at an average density of 92.9 per square mile (35.9/km2). The racial makeup of the CDP was 96.15% White, 1.59% Native American, 0.11% Asian, 0.79% from other races, and 1.36% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.81% of the population.

Pick the Best Physical Therapist Degree Program near Frenchtown MT

Selecting the ideal physical therapist program is an important initial decision you must make to start a fulfilling career in the healthcare profession. As we have addressed in this article, the DPT or PT degree program and college you enroll in should both have excellent reputations and be accredited. But there are other important questions that you need to ask concerning your college of choice also. As you start your search for a physical therapist program, keep in mind that numerous variables will lead you toward your final decision. You may decide to go to different colleges to view their facilities and talk to current DPT students. While there, ask yourself this important question: will this college help me achieve my goal of becoming a practicing licensed physical therapist? By following our list of additional questions, you will have the ability to narrow down the field so you can make the best choice. And with the necessary training and education, you can fulfill your dream to become a licensed physical therapist in Frenchtown MT.

A Few More Interesting Locations in Montana

  • Physical Therapist Schools | Get Your Physical Therapy Degree – Manhattan MT
  • Physical Therapist Schools | Get Your Physical Therapy Degree – Fairfield MT
  • Physical Therapist Schools | Get Your Physical Therapy Degree – Emigrant MT
  • Physical Therapist Schools | Get Your Physical Therapy Degree – Florence MT
  • Physical Therapist Schools | Get Your Physical Therapy Degree – Kalispell MT
  • Physical Therapist Schools | Get Your Physical Therapy Degree – East Helena MT
  • Physical Therapist Schools | Get Your Physical Therapy Degree – Hungry Horse MT
  • Physical Therapist Schools | Get Your Physical Therapy Degree – Superior MT
  • Physical Therapist Schools | Get Your Physical Therapy Degree – Browning MT
  • Physical Therapist Schools | Get Your Physical Therapy Degree – Colstrip MT
  •  

     

    The location could not be found.

     

    Business Results 1 - 10 of 19

    Alpine Physical Therapy, North
    2 Reviews
    Physical Therapy
    Phone:
    2965 Stockyard Rd, Missoula, MT 59808

    Sapphire Physical Therapy
    1 Reviews
    Physical Therapy
    Phone:
    1705 Bow St, Missoula, MT 59801

    Alpine Physical Therapy, South
    2 Reviews
    Physical Therapy
    Phone:
    5000 Blue Mountain Rd, Missoula, MT 59804

    Axis Physical Therapy
    3 Reviews
    Physical Therapy, Sports Medicine, Pain Management
    Phone:
    301 E Broadway St, Missoula, MT 59802

    Element Physical Therapy
    1 Reviews
    Physical Therapy, Sports Medicine, Orthopedists
    Phone:
    2001 S Russell St, Missoula, MT 59801

    Cordial Health
    2 Reviews
    Physical Therapy, Chiropractors, Massage Therapy
    Phone:
    701 W Spruce St, Missoula, MT 59802

    Missoula Bone & Joint
    3 Reviews
    Orthopedists, Urgent Care, Physical Therapy
    Phone:
    2360 Mullan Rd, Ste C, Missoula, MT 59808

    Big Sky Physical Therapy
    1 Reviews
    Physical Therapy
    Phone:
    316 W Spruce St, Missoula, MT 59802

    Western Montana Spine & Injury Clinic
    1 Reviews
    Chiropractors, Physical Therapy
    Phone:
    2409 Dearborn Ave, Ste I, Missoula, MT 59801

    W Chiropractic
    3 Reviews
    Chiropractors, Massage Therapy
    Phone:
    2801 Great Northern Lp, Ste A, Missoula, MT 59808