Physical Therapist Schools | Get Your Physical Therapy Degree – Hales Corners WI

How to Select a Physical Therapy Program near Hales Corners 53130

Hales Corners WI physical therapy school student with volunteerObtaining a physical therapist degree near Hales Corners WI is an important first step to launching a rewarding career in the healthcare field. Physical therapists (PT) help people who have been disabled as a result of injury or illness regain mobility and function. But before they may legally practice and provide treatment for the rehabilitation of patients, they need to get the proper training and education. A PT must also become licensed in all states, a large number requiring that the licensee hold a physical therapy degree from an accredited college. So prior to choosing a physical therapy school, it’s necessary to investigate the ones you are looking at to make certain they will deliver a superior education and comply with your state’s licensing standards. What you should not do is enroll in a school just because it happens to be the closest to your residence or it has the lowest tuition. There are other significant qualifications that need to be evaluated along with location and cost. But before we talk about what those qualifications are and the questions you should be asking, we’ll address what a physical therapist does and the options for education.

What Does a Physical Therapist Do?

Hales Corners WI physical therapist helping patient walkPhysical therapists practice in a variety of locations, including Hales Corners WI private practices, hospitals, assisted living facilities, rehab centers and sports facilities. What the facilities all have in common is that they have the equipment for diagnosing and rehabilitating patients. As previously touched on, physical therapists help patients that are experiencing a lack of mobility and often pain due to illness or injury. After diagnosing a patient, they design a program of treatment to resolve the mobility issues and reduce or eradicate any pain. They also endeavor to stop any progression of the disability. Although the causes of disability requiring physical therapy are abundant, they include:

  • Arthritis or Osteoporosis
  • Motor vehicle accidents
  • Head injuries.
  • Heart attacks.
  • Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.
  • Fire injuries.
  • Knee Replacement.
  • Fibromyalgia.
  • Cerebral Palsy.

Licensed physical therapists practice in close affiliation with other Hales Corners WI medical professionals, including doctors, chiropractors, dentists and nurses. They can also supervise one or more physical therapy assistants who work under them assisting with the diagnosis and treatment of their patients. Something to take note of for anyone thinking about entering the physical therapy field, it is rather physically demanding. Physical therapists often lift heavy equipment as well as patients, and kneel, crouch and stand for prolonged periods of time on a daily basis.

Physical Therapist Degree Options

Hales Corners WI 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 alternatives, the single 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 preparing them to advance to the doctoral level. Below are brief descriptions of degrees that are available in the Hales Corners WI area:

  • Associate Degrees train students to be physical therapy assistants, or may be the first step toward earning a more advanced degree. Candidates must have obtained a high school diploma or equivalent to qualify for enrollment. The degrees are usually made available by community colleges, and take about 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 developed as pre-physical therapy training to ready students to move up to the doctoral level. While they are not required to be qualified for the doctoral program, they are an essential first step to practicing as a PT. Similar to most bachelor’s degrees, they normally take four years to complete and usually include an internship program of a minimum of 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 3 years to complete, making the overall investment of time seven years in most cases. Clinical training is an intregal component in addition to the substantial lab and classroom instruction. Therefor the completion of an internship is required, not just 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 eliminated and is no longer offered in the United States. A number of licensed physical therapists holding a master’s or in some cases a bachelor’s degree were “grandfathered” in prior to the existing licensing requirement for a doctorate was implemented.

Physical Therapist Programs Online

woman attending physical therapy school online in Hales Corners WIAlthough not as prevalent as the on-campus options, there are many accredited online physical therapy programs offered, more so at the graduate level. Because of the hands-on structure of the training, clinical lab work and internships are integrated with the online classes. This necessitates that the student live near the college campus or in proximity of an available internship. Fortunately, the online segment of the curriculum can be accessed within the convenience and comfort of the student’s Hales Corners WI residence. Online programs are not only to some extent more accessible, but in many cases more economical. Tuition may be significantly less than comparable on campus alternatives, and expenditures for commuting are reduced. And a number of the online schools are accredited by the CAPTE, assuring a quality education. These benefits may make the online option the right choice for those students that are dedicated enough to learn at home.

Topics to Ask Physical Therapist Programs

At this point you probably have come to decision concerning some of your preliminary questions, like the type of physical therapist degree you intend to earn, where you want to attend classes, and how much money you can afford to invest in your education. But because there are numerous PT colleges within the Hales Corners WI area and across Wisconsin, you’ll have to explore other qualifications also in order to further reduce your list of school choices. Moreover, you want to make sure that you enroll in the program that is right for you. That’s why we have collected a list of essential questions that you must ask the physical therapy schools you are reviewing. Ask each of the competing schools these questions prior to making an ultimate decision.

Is the Physical Therapist School Accredited?  Find out if the programs you are considering have received accreditation from a national or a regional agency. 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 enroll in an online school, it may also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council. It’s essential that both the physical therapy program and school you select are accredited, not just the school. Also, make sure that the accreditation is from a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting agency. Besides guaranteeing that you receive an excellent education, accreditation might be mandated for state licensing as well as for getting student loans or financial aid.

What is the College’s Ranking? In addition to accreditation, it’s important that the college and program you pick have outstanding reputations within the physical therapy profession. There are a number of ways you can look into a PT college’s reputation, beginning with requesting references from employers that they refer their students to. You can also search for online rating services and reviews and ask the accrediting agencies for their reviews also. Get in touch with several Hales Corners WI physical therapist centers or other health care facilities that you might be interested in working for and ask if they can provide any recommendations about your school options. It may also be prudent to check with the Wisconsin Attorney General and school licensing authority to find out if any complaints have been submitted against the schools.

What is the College’s Job Placement Percentage? There are a two useful statistics that you should find out about each of the physical therapist schools you are reviewing. One is their graduation rate. A low rate may mean that students left because of dissatisfaction with the program, the teachers, or both. Once the students have graduated, how many of them are being hired with the help of the college’s job placement program, particularly in the Hales Corners WI area? If a school has a higher job placement rate, it suggests that its reputation within the medical care community is good or perhaps exceptional. It also verifies that the school has a large network of contacts to help students gain internships or employment upon graduation.

Does the College Prepare You For Licensing Requirements? It’s essential that the school you enroll in provides both superior training and a curriculum that supports the licensing requirements for Wisconsin or the state where you will be practicing. In every state a passing score is needed on the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) as well as a degree from an accredited physical therapy college. While licensing requirements fluctuate state by state for PT and PTA graduates, a number of states require a minimum number of clinical hours be performed and passing scores on supplemental exams.

Are Internship Programs Sponsored? Inquire if the physical therapy colleges you are assessing have relationships with Hales Corners WI hospitals or clinics for internship programs. Internships are not only a great manner to obtain practical training in a clinical setting, they are additionally a requirement for most PT programs and state licensing. As a secondary benefit, they may help graduates and students form professional connections in the Hales Corners healthcare community and assist with obtaining employment after licensing.

How Large are the Classes ? Unless you are the type of person that likes to sit far in the rear of class or hide in the crowd, you will likely prefer a smaller class size. Small classes enable more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the physical therapy schools you are reviewing what the typical teacher to student ratio is for their classrooms. If practical you may prefer to monitor one or more classes before making your final decision. This will also give you an opportunity to converse with several of the students and instructors to get their perspectives regarding the pharmacy tech program as well.

Where is the Program Located? For many students, the physical therapy college they decide on will need to be within driving distance of their Hales Corners WI residence. Students who have chosen to attend online classes naturally will not have to worry themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of area internships will be of importance. One thing to bear in mind is that if you decide to enroll in a program that is out of state or even out of your local area, you might be required to pay a higher tuition. State colleges typically charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges typically charge a higher tuition to those students that don’t reside within their districts.

Is Financial Support Offered? The majority of DPT colleges provide some form of financial assistance to their potential students. Inquire if the colleges you are examining have a financial assistance office and see what type of aid is offered. At a minimum they should help in acquiring a student loan or any scholarships you might be eligible for. A number of physical therapy colleges provide scholarships, while others offer work programs. So before eliminating a program because the tuition is beyond your budget, find out what financial assistance might be available.

Can the College Accommodate your Schedule? And last you must verify that the physical therapy school you finally pick can provide the class schedule you need. This is especially essential if you decide to continue working while you attend classes. If you must schedule night or weekend classes in the Hales Corners WI area, confirm that they are available. If you can only attend part-time, find out if that is an alternative and how many courses or credit hours you would need to enroll in. Also, ask what the protocol is for making up any classes that you might miss as a result of illness, work or family obligations.

Earning Your Physical Therapy Degree near Hales Corners Wisconsin?

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

Hales Corners, Wisconsin

Hales Corners is located in southwestern Milwaukee County. It is bounded by Greenfield on the north, Greendale on the east, Franklin on the south, and New Berlin and Muskego in Waukesha County on the west.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the village has a total area of 3.22 square miles (8.34 km2), of which, 3.21 square miles (8.31 km2) of it is land and 0.01 square miles (0.03 km2) is water.[1]

As of the census[3] of 2010, there were 7,692 people, 3,301 households, and 2,066 families residing in the village. The population density was 2,396.3 inhabitants per square mile (925.2/km2). There were 3,505 housing units at an average density of 1,091.9 per square mile (421.6/km2). The racial makeup of the village was 94.7% White, 1.0% African American, 0.5% Native American, 1.7% Asian, 0.9% from other races, and 1.2% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.3% of the population.

Select the Best Physical Therapist Degree Program near Hales Corners WI

Selecting the ideal physical therapist college is a necessary initial decision you have to make to begin a fulfilling career in the medical profession. As we have covered in this article, the PT or DPT degree program and school you pick should both have excellent reputations and accreditation. However there are additional relevant questions that you should ask pertaining to your college of choice as well. As you begin your search for a physical therapy college, keep in mind that numerous variables will guide you toward your final decision. You might decide to go to each of the colleges to view their facilities and speak with active DPT students. While there, ask yourself this critical question: will this program help me accomplish my goal of becoming a licensed practicing physical therapist? By adhering to our list of additional questions, you will have the ability to narrow down the field so you can make the ideal selection. And with the necessary education and training, you can accomplish your dream of becoming a practicing physical therapist in Hales Corners WI.

A Few More Interesting Locations in Wisconsin

  • Physical Therapist Schools | Get Your Physical Therapy Degree – Hilbert WI
  • Physical Therapist Schools | Get Your Physical Therapy Degree – Fond du Lac WI
  • Physical Therapist Schools | Get Your Physical Therapy Degree – Eagle WI
  • Physical Therapist Schools | Get Your Physical Therapy Degree – Pewaukee WI
  • Physical Therapist Schools | Get Your Physical Therapy Degree – Holcombe WI
  • Physical Therapist Schools | Get Your Physical Therapy Degree – Whitelaw WI
  • Physical Therapist Schools | Get Your Physical Therapy Degree – Cudahy WI
  • Physical Therapist Schools | Get Your Physical Therapy Degree – Evansville WI
  • Physical Therapist Schools | Get Your Physical Therapy Degree – Shiocton WI
  • Physical Therapist Schools | Get Your Physical Therapy Degree – Hancock WI
  •  

     

    The location could not be found.

     

    Business Results 1 - 10 of 112

    PROCare Physical Therapy
    3 Reviews
    Physical Therapy, Sports Medicine, Massage Therapy
    Phone:
    14999 W Beloit Rd, Ste B, New Berlin, WI 53151

    PROCare Physical Therapy
    3 Reviews
    Physical Therapy, Massage Therapy
    Phone:
    6520 W Layton Ave, Ste 101, Greenfield, WI 53220

    Alliant Physical Therapy Group - Hales Corners
    1 Reviews
    Physical Therapy
    Phone:
    5301 S 108th St, Hales Corners, WI 53130

    Vita Physical Therapy & Fitness
    3 Reviews
    Physical Therapy, Massage Therapy, Trainers
    Phone:
    451 E Erie St, Milwaukee, WI 53202

    Keystone Physical Therapy
    3 Reviews
    Physical Therapy
    Phone:
    17045 W Capitol Dr, Brookfield, WI 53005

    Pt Plus - Elm Grove
    4 Reviews
    Physical Therapy
    Phone:
    700 Pilgrim Pkwy, Ste 203, Elm Grove, WI 53122

    ATI Physical Therapy
    2 Reviews
    Physical Therapy, Sports Medicine, Home Health Care
    Phone:
    17500 W Bluemound Rd, Brookfield, WI 53045

    Franklin Rehabilitation
    1 Reviews
    Physical Therapy, Pain Management, Sports Medicine
    Phone:
    7253 S 76th St, Franklin, WI 53132

    Innovative Health & Fitness
    30 Reviews
    Gyms, Physical Therapy, Weight Loss Centers
    Phone:
    8800 S 102nd St, Franklin, WI 53132

    Spinal Dynamics of Wisconsin
    4 Reviews
    Physical Therapy
    Phone:
    3333 N Mayfair Rd, Ste 101, Milwaukee, WI 53222