A Future in Physical Therapy

What is Physical Therapy? PTs work primarily with people recovering from injuries with the goal of getting patients back in motion with exercises, massage and other techniques. It also focuses on preventing injuries, and it can help people avoid surgery or a long - term reliance on medications.

Fun Facts! October is National Physical Therapy month ( APTA ). According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were about 198,000 physical therapists employed in Employment in the field of physical therapy is expected to increase by 39% from 2010 to In addition to graduating from an accredited program, students must also pass a licensure exam to be certified as a physical therapist. Outpatient clinics aren ’ t the only places you ’ ll find PTs. Many work for hospitals, schools, fitness centers, senior centers, home health agencies, universities, and more ! Although many people think physical therapists only rehabilitate injuries, they actually work to prevent injuries as well by educating patients on safer movements and motions.

Fun Facts! (continued) Specially - trained physical therapists can aide with a variety of medical issues. From vestibular rehabilitation specialists who help minimize balance disorders to women ’ s health specialists who perform pelvic floor rehabilitation, physical therapy encompasses a broad range of treatments. In many other countries, PTs are referred to as “ physiotherapists.” Nearly 6 out of 10 physical therapists work in hospitals or in offices of physical therapists. In every college setting it is mandatory that a student majoring in physical therapy must complete the doctoral program aka DPT which lasts approximately 6.5 years.

Specialty Areas: You may seek certification from the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties after licensure and meeting clinical practice requirements by working with patients in a specialty area, such as : Geriatrics – older population Neurology – disease / injury of nervous system Orthopedics – disease / injury of musculoskeletal system Pediatrics - children Sports - athletes Women ' s health - women

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ Physical therapists earn a salary that is slightly higher than similar fields in the medical care field. PT salaries vary according to their : –Level of education –Employment facility –City –Years of experience According to the U. S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary of physical therapists in the US in May 2011 was $78,270. Those with wages in the lowest 10 percent earned up to $54,710, but those with wages in the highest 10 percent earned more than $110,670. The average salary of PTs in Texas is about $90,500.

Graduate Records Exam (GRE) $195 3 Sections : –Verbal Reasoning — Measures your ability to analyze and evaluate written material and synthesize information obtained from it, analyze relationships among component parts of sentences and recognize relationships among words and concepts. –Quantitative Reasoning — Measures problem - solving ability, focusing on basic concepts of arithmetic, algebra, geometry and data analysis. –Analytical Writing — Measures critical thinking and analytical writing skills, specifically your ability to articulate and support complex ideas clearly and effectively. When you first register to take the exam, the Educational Testing Service ( ETS ) will provide you with Power Prep Software which contains two practice tests, and review material to prepare for the practice tests. Kaplan and Princeton Review offer test prep courses and text books. Can find FREE practice tests online and can find study materials for FREE on websites such as Quizlet. Take the GRE at least 6 weeks before the application deadline Can retake it after 21 days, up to 5 times a year Most PT schools require a minimum GRE score of 1000; most focus more on GPA

Texas PT Schools US Army - Baylor University – Fort Sam Houston, TX –Public ; DPT ( Doctor of Physical Therapy ); CS :24 –Requirements : Baccalaureate degree, minimum overall Undergraduate cumulative GPA 3.0, minimum prerequisite GPA 3.0 Texas Woman ’ s University – Dallas, TX ; Houston, TX –Public ; DPT ; CS : 95 –Requirements : Baccalaureate degree, minimum GPA 3.0 for last 60 hours, 20 hours experience each in two different physical therapy settings University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston –Public ; DPT, t - DPT ( Transitional Doctor of Physical Therapy ); CS :48 –Requirements : Baccalaureate degree, minimum overall Undergraduate cumulative GPA 3.0, minimum science GPA 3.0, 40 hours PT observation University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas –Public ; DPT ; CS :40 –Requirements : Baccalaureate degree, minimum overall Undergraduate cumulative GPA 3.0, minimum prerequisite GPA 3.0 Texas State University – San Marcos, TX –Public ; DPT ; CS : 40 –Requirements : Baccalaureate degree, minimum last 60 hours of college work GPA 3.0, minimum prerequisite GPA 3.0, GRE score of 1000, PT observation

Texas PT Schools (continued) Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center – Lubbock, TX –Public ; DPT, t - DPT, DSc ( Doctorate of Science in Physical Therapy ); CS : 64 –Requirements : Baccalaureate degree, competitive cumulative and prerequisite science GPA ’ s are required for consideration, the average GPA for the class entering in 2009 was 3.5 ( cumulative GPA ) and 3.5 ( prerequisite science GPA ), 100 hours of experience in a physical therapy setting with as many different settings as possible University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio –Public ; DPT, t - DPT, CS :40 –Requirements : minimum overall Undergraduate cumulative GPA 3.0, minimum math / science GPA 3.0, 50 PT observation hours Hardin - Simmons University – Abilene, TX –Private ; DPT, t - DPT ; CS : 26 –Requirements : Baccalaureate degree, minimum documented 80 hours Physical Therapist observation in two different settings with minimum 40 hours in each Angelo State University – San Angelo, TX –Public ; DPT ; class size : 20 –Requirements : Baccalaureate degree, minimum overall Undergraduate cumulative GPA 3.0, minimum prerequisite GPA 3.0, 50 PT observation or employment hours in 2 different areas of clinical practice University of Texas at El Paso –Public ; DPT ; CS :24 –Requirements : Baccalaureate degree, minimum overall Undergraduate cumulative GPA 3.0, minimum prerequisite GPA 3.0, 50 hours of PT observation

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