Physical Therapy Degree Requirements

A physical therapist is a person who treats people suffering from physical health problems like arthritis, head injuries, knee problems, sports injuries, back pain, and stroke. Once the patient is given the basic treatment by the doctor, a physical therapist helps the patient recover back to normal health with the help of exercises and other techniques. Physical therapists also work with children and adults suffering from cerebral palsy, speech difficulties, occupational problems, etc. As physical therapy is very important for a patient to recover fully, physical therapy jobs are on the rise. They can be found in medical situations like hospitals, nursing homes, rehabilitation centers, special education schools, outpatient clinics, physical therapist clinics, etc. Let us look at the physical therapy degree requirements that a person who wants to become a physical therapist should have.

Physical Therapy Education Requirements

Earlier, physical therapist requirements consisted of only a graduation degree in physical therapy. However, in the late 1990s , the masters and doctorate degree courses were also added. Basically, there are four physical therapist degree courses that a person can choose from to become a physical therapist. Here is some detailed information on each of them.

Transitional Master's in Physical Therapy Degree
A person who wants to do this degree should have a graduation degree in physical therapy first. Transitional master's is a two-year degree program where students have to learn about subjects like neurology, pediatrics, pulmonary testing and management, orthopedics, geriatrics, orthotics, and prosthetics. They may also have to do a research project during their course period.

Direct Entry Master's in Physical Therapy Degree
Direct entry master's degree is for people who have graduated in some other field and have a keen interest to take up physical therapy. Like the transitional master's degree, even this course spans two years, however the curriculum is a little different. During the first year of the course, students would be exposed to the basic concepts of physical therapy, while the second year would be internship in a hospital or clinic where they would get practical experience of being a physical therapist.

Transitional Doctorate in Physical Therapy Degree
As in all the other fields, even in the field of physical therapy, the higher the degree, the higher is the position, as well as the pay. The qualification after a master's degree is the doctorate's degree. Physical therapy school requirements, for students who want to do a transitional doctorate degree, is a bachelor's and master's degree in physical therapy. Here, the students are given advanced education in physical therapy.

Direct Entry Doctorate in Physical Therapy Degree
People who have completed their graduation in some other subject and are interested in becoming a physical therapist can take up this course and earn the title of doctor in three years time.

People who are not interested in becoming a physical therapist, but would like to work in this field can opt for a two-year associate degree to become an physical therapist assistant. This course gives the student knowledge about physical therapy principles and practice, neurological and orthopedic disabilities and treatments, functional kinesiology, basic patient care, anatomy, developmental disabilities, clinical practice, physiology, etc.

Specialty Areas in Physical Therapy

The field of physical therapy has various sections, and students can opt for one that they are interested in. Let us look at some of the specializations that physical therapy offers.

Geriatric: A geriatric physical therapist focuses on treating and caring for senior citizens. They would have to work with aged people who suffer from diseases like cancer, hip and joint replacement, arthritis, Alzheimer's diseases, etc.

Pediatric: Pediatric physiotherapists, as the name suggests, work with children who suffer from physical problems. Children who suffer from developmental disabilities, spina bifida, skeletal, congenital, and neuromuscular problems are treated by them.

Orthopedic: People who have disabilities in the spine and joints are treated by orthopedic physiotherapists. Orthopedic physiotherapists work with people who have musculoskeletal injuries and those who have undergone acute sports injuries, amputations, orthopedic surgery, etc.

Physical therapy degree requirements, as seen above, is but the first step in becoming a physical therapist. Apart from these educational requirements to become a physical therapist, a physiotherapist should have good interpersonal skills, as he would have to deal with patients who are undergoing various kinds of emotions. Another thing that one must remember is that being a physical therapist is a demanding job where you would have to work for long hours. However, you would also get the satisfaction of helping people who are in need.