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 fi eld 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 doctrate 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

Maryville University
800/627-9855

Saint Louis University
800/SLU-FORU

Washington University
314/286-1400

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