Online Physical Therapy Degree Programs

Physical therapists develop exercise schedules for their patients. They use cold, heat, electricity, sound, and water technologies to alleviate or relieve pain and stimulate muscles. They often work on in rehabilitation that arises from injuries as well as with patients who have chronic injuries and illness for example cerebral palsy, lower back pain, joint problems, and arthritis, and patients with physical disabilities. Others specialize in orthopedics, sports therapy, and pediatrics. They use exercise, movement and specialized machines to reduce pay and increase mobility. Physical therapy programs also prepares graduates in decision making on patients' therapy, problem diagnosis, interpreting test results, and evaluating improvement and performance on their patients.

Online Physical Therapy Degree Programs

A.T. Still University

• Transitional Doctor of Physical Therapy (D.P.T.)

• Transitional Doctor of Physical Therapy

Utica College

• Transitional Doctor of Physical Therapy

Penn Foster Schools

• Physical Therapy Aide

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Physical Education Education and Training

While the online physical therapy degree has a focus on the physical aspects of the job, online physical therapy schools require strong academic ability especially in the science subjects and also good interpersonal skills. Students are required to take courses in human anatomy and physiology, biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics and various social science courses.

These physical therapy courses are taken earlier in the physical therapy program. These courses in online physical therapy degree programs are combined with physical hands-on training in rehabilitation environments. Physical therapy degree programs also require students to gain practical experience through internships and shadowing practicing licensed physical therapists.

In the second half of the online physical therapy degree program, physical therapy course requirements and online physical therapy masters degree programs require that students take physical therapy classes that are more specific to their area of concentration, for example human growth and development, biomechanics, neuro-anatomy, manifestations of disease, therapeutic procedures, and physical examination techniques. Other courses might include:

• Kinesiology
• Biomechanics
• Anatomy and physiology
• Neurorehabilitation
• Orthopedics
• Exercise Physiology
• Neuroanatomy
• Rehabilitation Diagnoses
• Rehabilitation Psychology
• Pharmacology

Direct entry Direct Entry Masters in Physical Therapy (MPT) programs generally take between two and three years to complete. During the first year students take required courses and in the last years they carry on much of their clinical practice.

While an associate's degree is ample to become a physical therapy assistant, to take and pass the National Physical Therapy Exam, you need to complete a bachelor's degree. Many graduates then go on to earn a physical therapy masters degree. Most states also require physical therapists to take continue education courses and to take a re-certification exam every two years. Either way, licensure is required in order to practice in the profession. The licensing exam is taken after curriculum requirements are completed.

Physical Therapy Careers

Physical therapists work with patients and clients of all ages, working with medical cases like amputations, back and neck injuries, stroke, arthritis, burns, cerebral palsy, accident and sports injuries and more. They evaluate and diagnose cases to determine interventions to treat the clients, and they do so alongside doctors' diagnosis and recommendations.

Many physical therapists work in hospitals, private physical therapy facilities, gyms, sports facilities, clinics, schools, colleges, and universities, home treatment services, and professional sports teams such as football and basketball teams. Increasingly, physical therapy degree graduates are also working in other settings for example orthopedic centers, rehabilitation centers, and alternative medicine facilities.

Expected Salary and Projected Career Growth

According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the employment of physical therapists is expected to grow by 30% from 2008 to 2018. Employment of physical therapist assistants and aides is expected to grow by 35% during the same time period.

The median annual income for physical therapists was $72,790 in 2008. The middle 50% earned between $60,300 and $85,540. The lowest 10% earned less than $50,350, while the highest 10% earned over $104,350. The median annual income for physical therapist assistants was $46,140. The middle 50% earned between $37,170 and $54,900, while the lowest 10% make below $28,580. The highest 10% earned above $63,830.

As you can see, the job market for physical therapists is good and is expected to get better. The demand for physical therapists is projected to grow at twice the rate for other professions with an aging baby boomer population. For that reason online physical therapy degree programs are a good option for students who need flexibility in their schedules.