2. Introduction
S My background with physical therapy:
S I first was introduced to physical therapy when I was getting
treatment for Sever’s Disease in 5th grade. I attended multiple
different physical therapy clinics and loved the active, health
oriented work places I observed.
S Overtime, I desired to learn about human anatomy and developed
a passion for helping people in need. I’ve been lucky enough to
know that I’ve wanted to be a physical therapist since sophomore
year of high school.
3. Introduction continued…
S What is physical therapy?
S According to American Physical Therapy Association (APTA),
physical therapists are highly educated, licensed health care
professionals who can help patients reduce pain and improve or
restore mobility.
S PTs work in a variety of settings to help prevent or manage
conditions so that the patient can receive long-term health benefits.
4. History
S The origins of physical therapy started with the Greeks when they used
massage, heat and hydrotherapy as methods of treatment.
S These treatments evolved throughout Europe during the 1800s for
treating bone disorders.
S World War 1 was the turning point for the profession as woman were
recruited to help restore function to injured soldiers.
S Physical therapists first professional association was formed in 1921
called the American Women’s Physical Therapeutic Association.
S After the wars, physical therapy grew as a profession and began to
establish regulations, standards, and licensure.
S In 2011 and 2013, Forbes ranked physical therapists as having one of
the 10 happiest jobs in the US.
5. Types of Physical Therapy
S Orthopedic- most common form
of physical therapy
S Wound care
S Pediatric
S Cardiopulmonary
S Vestibular
S Geriatric
S Decongestive
S Neurological
S Rehab/acute care
S Sports
S Home health
S Many more smaller specialties
6. Quick facts
S More than 204,000 licensed physical therapists in the US.
S The median salary is $85,000.
S From 2012 to 2022 there is an expected job growth rate of
36%.
S 2/3 of physical therapists are women.
S Must have a masters or doctorate degree in physical therapy
to practice, although all PT schools have switched to offer
only doctorate degrees.
S Programs are typically 3 years long.
7. Physical Therapy Schools
S MUSC
S $11,500 per semester
S UT Health Science Center San
Antonio
S Less than 10,000 semester in state
S UT Medical Branch Galveston
S $5,000-$6,000 in state per year
S Texas State University
S Up to $15,000 per year
S Texas Woman’s University
S Total cost of program in state: $33,000
S Emory University
S 11,100 per semester
S University North Carolina
Chapel Hill
S $17,000 per semester non resident
S University Tennessee
Chattanooga
S $13,000 per semester non resident
8. PT School Prerequisites
S Almost all schools require:
S Biology
S Chemistry
S Physics
S Anatomy and physiology
S Psychology
S Statistics
S Some schools require:
S Exercise Physiology
S Medical Terminology
S A second psychology
S Math
S English
S Speech/technical writing
9. Academics
S Average accepted GPAs:
S Emory: 3.70
S MUSC: 3.57
S Texas State: 3.63
S UT Galveston:3.75
S University Tennessee:3.84
10. O*Net Results
S Social: I like to work with other people by helping them get better and
teaching them how to take care of their bodies.
S Investigative: Part of physical therapy is figuring out what’s wrong and the
best way to treat it. I love to solve problems, think on the spot, and evaluate
the best course of treatment.
S Entrepreneurial: I have a business administration minor and would love to
have my own practice one day or be a manager of a physical therapy
practice. I like to take leadership roles and working with people in this way.
Overall, these qualities suit what many consider the characteristics of a good
physical therapist, and that is why I feel qualified to enter into physical therapy.
11. Conclusion
S Physical therapy is a fast growing field and in high demand.
S There are multiple different work settings and specialties within
physical therapy, and I am unsure which one I would like to go
into.
S I have many options for PT school which have a variety of pre
requisites and high average accepted GPAs.
S I feel confident in my O*Net results and passions that I would
be a good fit for a physical therapist.
