Physical Therapist Schools | Get Your Physical Therapy Degree – North Woodstock NH

How to Choose a Physical Therapist School near North Woodstock 03262

North Woodstock NH physical therapy school student with volunteerObtaining a physical therapist degree near North Woodstock NH is an essential first step to starting a rewarding career in the medical care field. Physical therapists (PT) help individuals who have been debilitated as a result of illness or injury gain back mobility and function. But before they may legally practice and work with the rehabilitation of patients, they must get the necessary training and education. A PT must also be licensed in all states, many requiring that the licensee hold a physical therapy degree from an accredited college. So before enrolling in a physical therapy school, it’s important to research those you are thinking about to make sure they will supply a superior education and comply with your state’s licensing standards. What you should not do is choose a school just because it happens to be the nearest to your residence or it has cheapest tuition. There are other significant qualifications that must be considered besides 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 what the educational options are.

What is a Physical Therapist?

North Woodstock NH physical therapist helping patient walkPhysical therapists work in a variety of settings, such as North Woodstock NH hospitals, health clinics, rehabilitation centers, nursing homes 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 touched on, physical therapists help individuals that are struggling with a lack of mobility and frequently pain caused by illness or injury. After patient diagnosis, they create a program of treatment to resolve the mobility issues and lessen or eradicate any pain. They also try to stop 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.
  • Cardiac arrest.
  • Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.
  • Burn injuries.
  • Knee Replacement.
  • Fibromyalgia.
  • Multiple Sclerosis.

Licensed physical therapists work in close association with other North Woodstock NH medical specialists, including doctors, chiropractors, dentists and nurses. They can also oversee one or more physical therapy assistants who work under them in diagnosing and treating their patients. One thing to bear in mind for anyone considering entering the physical therapy field, it is quite physically demanding. Physical therapists regularly lift heavy equipment as well as patients, and kneel, crouch and stand for extended periods of time on a daily basis.

Physical Therapist Degrees Offered

North Woodstock NH physical therapist applying acupuncture to patientThere are three physical therapy degree options offered for students to pursue at the undergraduate and graduate levels. Of these choices, the single degree that is available to become a physical therapist is the doctorate. Undergraduate degrees target either preparing students to become a physical therapy assistant (PTA) or preparing them to advance to the doctoral level. Below are short explanations of degrees that are available in the North Woodstock NH area:

  • Associate Degrees prepare students to become physical therapy assistants, or may be used as a stepping stone to a more advanced degree. Candidates must have a high school diploma or GED to be accepted for enrollment. The programs are usually offered by community colleges, and require two years to complete. An internship or other form of clinical training is normally a component of the course of study.
  • Bachelor’s Degrees are developed as pre-physical therapy education to prepare students to progress to the doctoral level. While they are not required to be a candidate for the doctoral program, they are an integral preliminary step to practicing as a PT. Similar to most bachelor’s degrees, they typically take four years to finish and often incorporate an internship program of at least 500 hours.
  • Doctorate Degrees are a requirement in order to become a licensed practicing 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 total commitment 7 years in most cases. Clinical or practical training is an intregal component along with the considerable lab and classroom instruction. Therefor the completion of an internship is required, 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 attainable in the United States. Some licensed physical therapists having a master’s or even a bachelor’s degree were “grandfathered” in prior to the current licensing mandate for a doctorate was instituted.

Physical Therapy Programs Online

woman attending physical therapy school online in North Woodstock NHAlthough not as common as the more traditional alternatives, there are a number of accredited online physical therapist programs offered, even more at the graduate level. Due to the hands-on nature of the training, clinical lab work and internships are incorporated with the online classes. This requires that the student live near the school campus or nearby an available internship. Fortunately, the online segment of the program may be accessed within the comfort and convenience of the student’s North Woodstock NH residence. Online schools are not only to some extent more accessible, but in many cases more economical. Tuition may be somewhat less than comparable on campus options, and expenditures for commuting are minimized. And a number of the online schools are accredited by the CAPTE, assuring a quality education. These advantages may make the online option the right choice for those students that are motivated enough to attend classes at home.

Topics to Ask Physical Therapy Programs

At this point you most likely have made a decision regarding a few of your initial questions, like the type of physical therapy degree you want to earn, where you prefer to attend classes, and how much you can afford to invest in your education. But because there are so many PT colleges within the North Woodstock NH area and throughout New Hampshire, you’ll have to research additional qualifications as well in order to further reduce your list of school choices. Furthermore, you want to make certain that you choose the college that is best for you. That’s why we have collected a list of critical questions that you must ask the physical therapy schools you are thinking about. Ask each of the potential colleges these questions prior to making an ultimate decision.

Is the Physical Therapy School Accredited?  Ask if the programs you are reviewing have earned accreditation from a regional or a national agency. As previously mentioned, if you are pursuing a doctoral degree the program must be accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE). If you select an online program, it may also earn accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council. It’s essential that both the physical therapist school and program you enroll in are accredited, not simply the school. Also, check that the accreditation is from a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting agency. Along with ensuring that you obtain a quality education, accreditation may be required for state licensing as well as for getting student loans or financial assistance.

What is the Program’s Reputation? In addition to accreditation, it’s essential that the school and program you pick have exceptional reputations within the physical therapy profession. There are a number of ways you can research a PT college’s reputation, beginning with requesting references from employers that they refer their students to. You can also check online rating services and reviews and ask the accrediting agencies for their reviews also. Contact a few North Woodstock NH physical therapist centers or other medical care facilities that you may have an interest in working for and ask if they can offer any advice about your school options. It might also be a good idea to check with the New Hampshire Attorney General and school licensing authority to see if any complaints have been submitted against the schools.

What is the Program’s Job Placement Percentage? There are a couple of significant statistics that you should know about all of the physical therapist programs you are reviewing. First is their graduation rate. A lower rate might mean 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 help of the college’s job placement program, particularly in the North Woodstock NH area? If a college has a high job placement rate, it’s an indication that its reputation within the health care community is good or even outstanding. It also verifies that the program has a wide network of contacts to assist students get internships or jobs after graduation.

Does the School Support Licensing Requirements? It’s essential that the college you choose furnishes both excellent training and a curriculum that satisfies the licensing criteria for New Hampshire 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 therapist program. While licensing requirements vary state by state for PT and PTA graduates, some states require a minimum amount of clinical hours be completed as well as passing scores on additional tests.

Are Internships Provided? Ask if the physical therapist colleges you are assessing have relationships with North Woodstock NH clinics or hospitals for internship programs. Not only are internships an excellent way to get practical training in a clinical setting, they are also a requirement for most PT programs and state licensing. As a secondary benefit, they can help graduates and students develop professional relationships in the North Woodstock medical community and help with obtaining employment once licensed.

What are the Class Sizes ? Unless you are the kind of person that prefers to sit far in the back of the classroom or hide in the crowd, you will undoubtedly want a smaller class size. Small classes enable more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the physical therapist colleges you are reviewing what the typical teacher to student ratio is for their classrooms. If practical you may want to sit in on one or more classes before making your ultimate decision. This will also give you a chance to talk with some of the students and instructors to get their opinions regarding the pharmacist technician program also.

Where is the College Located? For a number of students, the physical therapy school they choose will need to be within driving distance of their North Woodstock NH home. Those who have opted to attend online classes obviously will not have to trouble themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of local internships will be of importance. Something to consider is that if you decide to enroll in a college that is out of state or perhaps out of your local area, you may have to pay a higher tuition. State colleges often charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges typically charge a higher tuition to those students that live outside of their districts.

Is Financial Support Offered? The majority of DPT schools provide some form of financial support to their potential students. Inquire if the colleges you are reviewing have a financial aid office and see what type of help is obtainable. They at least should help in acquiring a student loan or any grants you may be eligible for. Some physical therapy colleges offer scholarships, while others offer work programs. So before you eliminate a program because the tuition is beyond your budget, learn what financial assistance may be available.

Can the Program Accommodate your Schedule? And last you need to verify that the physical therapist school you ultimately choose can provide the class schedule you need. This is especially crucial if you decide to continue working while you attend classes. If you must schedule evening or weekend classes in the North Woodstock NH area, make sure that they are available. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, find out if that is an option and how many credit hours or courses you would need to carry. Also, find out what the procedure is for making up any classes that you may miss due to work, illness or family emergencies.

Earning Your Physical Therapy Degree near North Woodstock New Hampshire?

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

North Woodstock, New Hampshire

It is located along the northern boundary of the town of Woodstock, adjacent to the town of Lincoln. The village is centered on the intersection of U.S. Route 3 (Main St.) and New Hampshire Route 112 (Lost River Rd./Kancamagus Highway). Interstate 93 passes through the east portion of the village, with access from Exit 32 (NH 112). I-93 leads south 21 miles (34 km) to Plymouth and north through Franconia Notch 23 miles (37 km) to Littleton. NH 112 leads east on the Kancamagus Highway 36 miles (58 km) to Conway and west through Kinsman Notch 24 miles (39 km) to Woodsville. US-3 is a local road that runs parallel to I-93.

The Pemigewasset River flows past the center of North Woodstock, joined by the East Branch of the Pemigewasset and Moosilauke Brook at the southern limits of the village. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the North Woodstock CDP has a total area of 0.87 square miles (2.26 km2), of which 0.84 square miles (2.17 km2) are land and 0.03 square miles (0.09 km2), or 3.92%, are water.[1]

As of the census of 2010, there were 528 people, 256 households, and 131 families residing in the CDP. There were 759 housing units, of which 503, or 66.3%, were vacant on Census Day (April 1). 480 of the vacant units were seasonal or vacation properties. The racial makeup of the CDP was 96.8% white, 0.2% African American, 0.2% Native American, 1.1% Asian, 0.0% Pacific Islander, 0.0% some other race, and 1.7% from two or more races. 0.0% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.[2]

Pick the Right Physical Therapy Training Program near North Woodstock NH

Picking the right physical therapy school is a necessary first decision you need to make to start a fulfilling career in the healthcare field. As we have addressed in this article, the DPT or PT degree program and college you choose should both have exceptional reputations and be accredited. But there are other important questions that you should ask regarding your college of choice also. As you commence your search for a physical therapist college, bear in mind that many variables will lead you toward your final decision. You may decide to visit each of the campuses to view their facilities and speak with current DPT students. While there, ask yourself this critical question: will this college help me accomplish my goal of becoming a practicing licensed physical therapist? By adhering to our list of supplemental questions, you will have the ability to narrow down the field so you can make the right choice. And with the necessary education and training, you can achieve your dream of becoming a licensed physical therapist in North Woodstock NH.

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