Arizona is a popular state of the US. Phoenix is the capital and the largest city of Arizona. The state is well recognized for monuments, national forest and parks. There are a number of educational institutes in Arizona including the University of Arizona, Arizona State University, and Northern Arizona University. Physical Therapy Schools in Arizona prepares students to establish a career as a physical therapist.
How to find quality physical therapy schools in Arizona?
If you are looking for quality physical therapy schools in Arizona, you will need to consider the following factors.
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Always look for physical therapy schools that are accredited by a recognized agency. The Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) accredits entry-level education programs for physical therapists.
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Different schools have different tuition costs so consider how much money you have at your disposal. You should have enough funds to be able to complete your education.
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Get referrals from your friends and relatives about the best physical therapy schools. Their experience and feedback can help you make the right selection.
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Browse different school websites and look at their past records. A school with a good past record is likely to provide quality education. Also take feedback from alumni to know about a particular school.
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Reputation matters a lot. If you want quality physical therapy training make sure you select a well reputed school.
Admission requirements of physical therapy schools in Arizona
Although, admission requirements for physical therapy education vary depending on the type of degree and institute you select, following are some of the general requirements of a physical therapy school.
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Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institute
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Pre-requisite courses such as human anatomy, physiology, statistics, and physics
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Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores
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Letters of recommendation
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Admission essay
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Hours of PT experience
Major degrees offered in physical therapy
Each physical therapy degree varies according to coursework, duration, and admission requirements. Following are the major degrees offered in the field of physical therapy.
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Direct Entry Physical Therapy Degree. It is for individuals who have a bachelor’s degree and are looking to pursue a career in physical therapy.
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Transitional Master’s Degree in Physical Therapy. It is for individuals who already have a bachelor’s degree in physical therapy.
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Direct Entry Doctorate in Physical Therapy. It is for individuals who have completed a bachelor’s degree and want to pursue a career in physical therapy.
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Transitional Doctorate in Physical Therapy. It is a degree for individuals who have already acquired a bachelor’s degree in physical therapy.
Course Topics in Physical Therapy Degrees
The coursework for physical therapy programs may differ depending on the institute you select. However, the major courses offered in the programs are usually the same. Physical therapy degrees introduce students to a number of diverse courses. Students complete courses in areas such as anatomy, physiology, general and developmental psychology, computer science, medical terminology, CPR certification, public speaking, communication, sociology, and biochemistry.
Physical therapy education enables you to learn various therapies that help to provide physical and mental relaxation to patients. Physical Therapy Schools in Arizona offer undergraduate as well as graduate degree programs. You can opt to enroll in an associate, bachelor or master’s degree program. Some of the courses you will study in these programs include human physiology and anatomy, biology and organic chemistry. They also learn about general chemistry and anatomical kinesiology. Master’s program in physical therapy enables you to study foundational science courses and also get clinical experience.
How long will it take to get a doctorate degree in physical therapy?
Becoming a physical therapist requires a lot of time and investment. First, you will need a bachelor’s degree, which will take around four years to complete. After acquiring a bachelor’s degree, you can either enroll in a master’s program or a doctorate degree directly. If you enroll in a doctorate degree, you will need three to four more years. It can take you around eight to nine years of time to become a physical therapist
Career Options for Physical Therapists
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), physical therapists held approximately 204,200 jobs in 2012. Physical therapists can work in offices of physical, occupational, and speech therapists. They can also find jobs in state, local, and private hospitals. Other than that, they can find employment in nursing and residential care facilities and offices of physicians. The career prospects for physical therapists are quite optimistic as well. BLS predicts that the employment opportunities for physical therapists are likely to grow at 36 percent from 2012 to 2022, which is much faster than the average of all occupations.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, physical therapists earned an annual median salary of $79,860 in May 2012. The employment prospects for physical therapists are quite good as the employment opportunities for physical therapists are likely to grow at a rate of 36 percent from 2012 to 2022, which is much faster than the average of all occupations.