Physical Therapist Schools | Get Your Physical Therapy Degree – Arcola PA

How to Select a Physical Therapy Degree Program near Arcola 19420

Arcola PA physical therapy school student with volunteerEarning a physical therapy degree near Arcola PA is an essential first step to launching a fulfilling career in the health care field. Physical therapists (PT) help people who have been debilitated as a result of injury or illness regain function and mobility. But before they may legally practice and provide treatment for the rehabilitation of patients, they must acquire 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 choosing a physical therapy school, it’s essential to evaluate the ones you are thinking about to make sure they will furnish a superior education and meet your state’s licensing standards. What you do not want to do is choose a college just because it happens to be the nearest to your residence or it has the lowest tuition. There are other important qualifications that must be evaluated in addition to cost and location. But before we cover what those qualifications are and what questions you should ask, we’ll address what a physical therapist does and the options for education.

What Do Physical Therapists Do?

Arcola PA physical therapist helping patient walkPhysical therapists practice in a variety of locations, including Arcola PA private practices, hospitals, assisted living facilities, rehab centers and health clubs. What the facilities all share in common is that they are equipped for the diagnosis and rehabilitation treatment of patients. As previously touched on, physical therapists help individuals that are experiencing a lack of mobility and frequently pain caused by injury or illness. After diagnosing a patient, they create a course of treatment to address the mobility problems and reduce or eradicate any pain. They also strive to prevent any progression of the disability. Although the causes of disability necessitating physical therapy are numerous, they include:

  • Osteoporosis and Arthritis
  • Car or motor cycle accidents
  • Strokes.
  • Heart attacks.
  • Sports injuries.
  • Fire injuries.
  • Knee Replacement.
  • Fibromyalgia.
  • Cerebral Palsy.

Licensed physical therapists work in close partnerships with other Arcola PA health professionals, including doctors, chiropractors, registered nurses and dentists. They can also oversee one or more physical therapy assistants who work under them in the diagnosis and treatment of their patients. One thing to bear in mind for anyone considering going into the physical therapy profession, it is rather physically demanding. Physical therapists regularly lift patients and heavy equipment, and kneel, crouch and stand for extended periods of time on a daily basis.

Physical Therapy Degree Options

Arcola PA 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 only degree that is offered to practice as a physical therapist is the doctorate. Undergraduate degrees concentrate on either preparing students to become a physical therapy assistant (PTA) or readying them to advance to the doctoral level. Below are short explanations of degree levels that are offered in the Arcola PA area:

  • Associate Degrees train students to become physical therapy assistants, or may be the first step toward earning a more advanced degree. Candidates must have obtained a high school diploma or GED to be accepted for enrollment. The degrees are typically offered by community or junior colleges, and require two years for completion. Clinical training, which may be in the form of an internship is typically a portion of the program.
  • Bachelor’s Degrees are designed as pre-physical therapy education to prepare students to move up to the doctoral level. Although they are not a requirement to be eligible for the doctoral program, they are an important initial step to becoming a PT. As with most bachelor’s degrees, they normally require four years to finish and usually incorporate an internship program of a minimum of 500 hours.
  • Doctorate Degrees are required 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 three years to finish, making the overall commitment seven years in most cases. Clinical training is an essential element along with the considerable classroom and lab 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 replaced the Master’s of Physical Therapy (MPT), which has been phased out and is no longer attainable in the United States. A number of practicing physical therapists holding a master’s or even a bachelor’s degree were “grandfathered” in before the existing licensing requirement for a doctorate was implemented.

Physical Therapy Programs Online

woman attending physical therapy school online in Arcola PAAlthough not as prevalent as the on-campus alternatives, there are some accredited online physical therapy 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 school campus or nearby a sponsored internship. However, the online segment of the curriculum can be accessed within the comfort and convenience of the student’s Arcola PA home. Online schools are not only partially 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 minimized. And a number of the online programs are accredited by the CAPTE, ensuring a quality education. These advantages may make the online alternative the best choice for those students that are motivated enough to attend classes at home.

What to Ask Physical Therapy Schools

By now you undoubtedly have come to decision concerning some of your initial questions, such as the kind of physical therapy degree you would like to attain, where you want to attend classes, and how much you can afford to invest in your education. But considering there are so many PT schools within the Arcola PA area and across Pennsylvania, you’ll have to explore other qualifications also in order to further narrow your list of school choices. Furthermore, you need to make sure that you choose the program that is ideal for you. That’s why we have collected a list of important questions that you must ask the physical therapist schools you are thinking about. Ask all of the competing colleges these questions before making a final selection.

Is the Physical Therapy School Accredited?  Ask if the colleges you are looking at have earned 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 select an online program, it may also earn accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council. It’s imperative that both the physical therapist school and program you enroll in are accredited, not just the school. Also, make sure that the accreditation is from a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged accrediting agency. In addition to ensuring that you receive a quality education, accreditation might be mandated for state licensing and even for getting student loans or financial assistance.

What is the School’s Ranking? In addition to accreditation, it’s essential that the college and program you pick have exceptional reputations within the physical therapist community. There are several ways you can research a PT college’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 some Arcola PA physical therapy clinics or other healthcare facilities that you may be interested in working for and ask if they can give you any insight about your program selections. It might also be a good idea to contact the Pennsylvania Attorney General and school licensing authority to find out if any complaints have been submitted against the colleges.

What is the College’s Job Placement Rate? There are a two relevant statistics that you need to know about each of the physical therapist programs you are looking at. One is their graduation rate. A low rate may indicate that students dropped out due to dissatisfaction with the program, the instructors, or both. After the students have graduated, what percentage of them are being placed in jobs with the help of the school’s job placement program, particularly in the Arcola PA area? If a program has a higher job placement rate, it’s an indication that its reputation within the health care community is good or perhaps exceptional. It also verifies that the program has a broad network of contacts to assist students get internships or jobs upon graduation.

Does the School Support Licensing Requirements? It’s imperative that the program you choose furnishes both superior training and a curriculum that satisfies the licensing requirements for Pennsylvania or the state where you will be working. 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 college. While licensing requirements differ state by state for PT and PTA graduates, a number of states require a minimum amount of clinical hours be completed and passing scores on additional exams.

Are Internships Offered? Inquire if the physical therapy programs you are reviewing have associations with Arcola PA hospitals or clinics for internship programs. Internships are not only a terrific way to obtain hands on training in a clinical environment, they are also a requirement for the majority of PT programs and state licensing. As a supplemental benefit, they can help graduates and students form professional connections in the Arcola medical community and assist with obtaining employment after licensing.

What Size are the Classes ? Unless you are the sort of student that prefers to sit way in the back of the classroom or get lost in the crowd, you will likely prefer a smaller class size. Smaller classes permit more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the physical therapist colleges you are looking at 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 final determination. This will also give you an opportunity to talk with several of the students and instructors to get their opinions regarding the pharmacist technician program also.

Where is the School Located? For a number of students, the physical therapy school they decide on will have to be within travelling distance of their Arcola PA home. Those who have opted to attend classes online naturally will not have to concern themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of area internships will be of concern. Something to consider is that if you choose to enroll in a school that is out of state or even 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 often charge a higher tuition for those students that don’t reside within their districts.

Is Financial Help Offered? Most DPT colleges provide some type of financial assistance to their potential students. Find out if the colleges you are examining have a financial aid office and see what kind of assistance is offered. They at least should help in securing a student loan or any scholarships you might qualify for. A number of physical therapist schools provide scholarships, while others provide work programs. So before eliminating a college because the tuition is too expensive, learn what financial aid may be available.

Can the Program Accommodate your Schedule? And last you need to confirm that the physical therapy school you ultimately select can provide the class schedule you need. This is particularly essential if you decide to continue working while you attend classes. If you need to schedule night or weekend classes in the Arcola PA area, make certain 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 have to carry. Also, find out what the protocol is for making up any classes that you might miss due to illness, work or family obligations.

Earning Your Physical Therapy Degree near Arcola Pennsylvania?

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

H. M. Wicks

Herbert Moore "Harry" Wicks (1889–1956), best known as "Harry M. Wicks," was an American radical journalist and politician who was a founding member of the Communist Party of America. He was a plenipotentiary representative of the Communist International to Australia in 1930-31 and there directed the reorganization of the structure and leadership of the Communist Party of Australia.

Harry M. Wicks is one of the most enigmatic leaders of the early American communist movement. Wicks was born in Arcola, Illinois on December 10, 1889, the son of an electrical engineer.[1] He attended primary school in Arcola and grammar school in Algona and Des Moines, Iowa.[2] He worked as a journeyman compositor in the printing industry.[2]

Wicks was the candidate of the Socialist Party of Oregon for the US House of Representatives in the state's 3rd District in November 1918. Early the next year he was one of 28 candidates who ran for the SPA's governing National Executive Committee, failing to win election.

Choose the Best Physical Therapy College near Arcola PA

Picking the ideal physical therapist school is an important initial decision you need to make to launch a fulfilling career in the medical profession. As we have addressed in this article, the PT or DPT degree program and school you decide on should both have excellent reputations and accreditation. But there are other relevant questions that you should ask concerning your college of choice as well. As you commence your search for a physical therapist college, keep in mind that numerous variables will lead you toward your ultimate decision. You might want to visit different schools to see their facilities and talk with active DPT students. While there, ask yourself this important question: will this program help me accomplish my goal of becoming a practicing licensed physical therapist? By adhering to our list of supplemental questions, you will be able to narrow down the options so you can make the ideal choice. And with the proper training and education, you can accomplish your dream of becoming a practicing physical therapist in Arcola PA.

A Few More Interesting Locations in Pennsylvania

  • Physical Therapist Schools | Get Your Physical Therapy Degree – Horsham PA
  • Physical Therapist Schools | Get Your Physical Therapy Degree – Hookstown PA
  • Physical Therapist Schools | Get Your Physical Therapy Degree – Mountain Top PA
  • Physical Therapist Schools | Get Your Physical Therapy Degree – Centre Hall PA
  • Physical Therapist Schools | Get Your Physical Therapy Degree – Mechanicsburg PA
  • Physical Therapist Schools | Get Your Physical Therapy Degree – Plymouth PA
  • Physical Therapist Schools | Get Your Physical Therapy Degree – Oaks PA
  • Physical Therapist Schools | Get Your Physical Therapy Degree – Waterfall PA
  • Physical Therapist Schools | Get Your Physical Therapy Degree – Factoryville PA
  • Physical Therapist Schools | Get Your Physical Therapy Degree – Houtzdale PA
  •  

     

    The location could not be found.

     

    Business Results 1 - 10 of 356

    The Physical Therapy & Wellness Institute
    4 Reviews
    Physical Therapy, Nutritionists
    Phone:
    2456 W Main St, West Norriton, PA 19403

    Kinetic Physical Therapy-Collegeville
    3 Reviews
    Physical Therapy
    Phone:
    241 Plaza Dr, Collegeville, PA 19426

    Mishock Physical Therapy & Associates
    2 Reviews
    Physical Therapy
    Phone:
    131 Nutt Rd, Phoenixville, PA 19460

    James Stein, DC
    4 Reviews
    Chiropractors, Physical Therapy, Massage Therapy
    Phone:
    2525 W Main St, Lifeline Chiropractic Inc, Jeffersonville, PA 19403

    NovaCare Rehabilitation
    2 Reviews
    Physical Therapy, Sports Medicine
    Phone:
    409 Second Ave, Ste 202, Collegeville, PA 19426

    Bounce Back Physical Therapy
    4 Reviews
    Physical Therapy
    Phone:
    215 Sugartown Rd, Wayne, PA 19087

    Apex Physical Therapy - Royersford
    3 Reviews
    Physical Therapy
    Phone:
    341 10th Ave, Ste 101, Royersford, PA 19468

    Collegeville Chiropractic Center
    9 Reviews
    Chiropractors
    Phone:
    3961 Ridge Pike, Collegeville, PA 19426

    Aqua Sport
    1 Reviews
    Physical Therapy
    Phone:
    2804 Audubon Village Dr, Norristown, PA 19403

    The Head & Spine Pain Center
    4 Reviews
    Chiropractors
    Phone:
    350 W Main St, Ste 101, Trappe, PA 19426