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To become a physical therapist, one must complete a master’s or doctoral degree program, pass licensing exams, and complete an internship. High school students can prepare by taking advanced courses and volunteering. Admission to physical therapy school is competitive, and graduates must pass a licensing exam and complete an internship before pursuing a career in hospitals, clinics, or private practices.
A physical therapist is a licensed health professional who helps people overcome physical disabilities, injuries and illnesses. He or she designs and conducts patient-specific rehabilitation programs so that individuals can regain strength, learn to care for themselves and get back to work. A person who wants to start a physical therapy career must be prepared to complete a master’s or doctoral degree program from an accredited physical therapy school, pass licensing exams in their state or country, and complete an internship that can last up to one year after graduation. .
A high school student who wants to pursue a career in physical therapy can prepare by taking advanced courses in biology, chemistry, anatomy, and health. Such classes introduce the student to the various functions of the human body and strategies for preventing and treating various physical ailments. Many students volunteer in school athletic programs or community athletic associations to gain hands-on experience identifying, treating, and designing rehabilitation schedules for different injuries. Students generally apply to undergraduate four-year universities in their final year of high school.
Generally, an undergraduate student can major in a variety of disciplines, although most students have degrees in health, biology, sports science, or physical therapy. An up-and-coming physical therapist typically receives classroom and laboratory instruction, gaining advanced knowledge in human anatomy, physiology, and health procedures. Toward the end of the baccalaureate program, the student can take the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) and begin enrolling in physical therapy programs at accredited graduate schools.
Gaining admission to a physical therapy school can be difficult as competition for places is often very strong. Schools generally accept students with the best educational records, GRE scores, personal essays, and letters of recommendation. Once admitted, students receive extensive classroom, laboratory, and clinical instruction in the fundamentals of physical therapy. He or she prepares for a career in physical therapy by observing and assisting experienced therapists in a clinical setting. Master’s programs usually last around two years, while doctoral programs can take three to four years to complete.
A graduate must take a licensing exam administered by their state or country before practicing independently in a physical therapy career. Exams test an individual’s knowledge of various procedures, safety measures, and ethics. After obtaining the license, a new physical therapist usually works as an intern in a hospital or physical rehabilitation clinic for about a year, gaining essential practical experience under the supervision of established professionals. Once the internship is completed, the individual can pursue many physical therapy career opportunities in hospitals, clinics and private practices.
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