Physical Therapist

 

Career Description

Physical therapists work with people who have been physically disabled by an illness or accident or were born with handicaps. Treatment may include exercises to improve muscle strength and coordination; applying heat, cold, water or electricity to relieve pain or to change the patient’s condition; therapeutic massages to relieve pain and reduce swelling; and using wheelchairs or crutches to restore a patient’s mobility.

Academic Requirements

Employment in the physical therapy field requires at minimum a bachelor's degree from an accredited four-year college or university. Today, many hospitals may require a master's degree for employment. Admission to physical therapy programs is competitive, and students are encouraged to maintain a high grade point average in college while volunteering or working as a therapy aide to gain experience. Some schools may require as many as 150 hours of clinical experience before admission. The majority of physical therapist education programs offer a master's degree (MPT) or an entry-level clinical doctorate in physical therapy (DPT). Master's programs will take students two and a half years to complete. After graduation from an accredited physical therapy program, physical therapists must pass the National Physical Therapist Examination (NPTE) and meet additional state requirements.

Schools

Missouri State University (Springfield)
417/836-5000

Southwest Baptist University (Bolivar)
800/526-5859

University of Missouri-Columbia
573/882-7103

Professional Associations

National
American Physical Therapy Association

State
Missouri Physical Therapy Association
Missouri State Advisory Commission for Professional Physical Therapists

Additional Information

Learn More About Therapy and Rehabilitation
Read Personal Accounts of Current Physical Therapists