This document discusses research on pursuing a career in physical therapy. It provides an overview of the role of physical therapists, the history and growth of the field, prerequisites and requirements for physical therapy school, costs of programs, salaries and job prospects. The author expresses their interest in physical therapy and why they are a good fit, specifically their experience in collegiate athletics and desire to take a holistic approach working with athletes through injury rehabilitation.

1. RESEARCH ON
CAREER: PHYSICAL
THERAPY
A B BY J O N E S

2. INTRODUCTION:
• The role of physical therapists is to aid in providing a preventative/treatment plan
created to decrease pain, increase mobility, restore function, and prevent disability in
their patients- often to avoid surgery and long-term medications.
• I am very interested in going into the field of physical therapy. I have just recently
begun the application process. I will be applying to University of Alabama Birmingham
(UAB), Samford University, University of South Alabama, Alabama State University, and
maybe one out of state graduate program. Most physical therapy programs are 3 years
or 9 semesters long. Whereas physical therapy use to be a Master’s program, in 2015 it
became a Doctoral degree program (DPT). Much like a medical school students,
physical therapy students can complete a residency and fellowship in their field of
interest after completion of their Doctor of Physical Therapy degree.

3. HISTORY OF PHYSICAL THERAPY
• Physical therapy, known as physiotherapy countries besides the U.S., was advocated by Hippocrates in 460 B.C. where
massage and hydrotherapy were used.
• In Sweden in 1813, the Royal Central Institute of Gymnastics (“medical gymnastics” in 1865) was introduced. Through
research, patient records were found and showed where conditions were tracked and manipulative therapy techniques and
exercises were given to patients to use to rehab their physical problems and injuries. Americans traveled to Sweden to gain
access to treatment that did not exist in the U.S. The Royal Central Institute of Gymnastics was forgotten as there were
clashes between physical therapists and physicians, and physicians won out.
• In 1894, the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy was created in England, bringing back the name of physical therapists. New
Zealand and America were the next two countries to start formal training programs in 1913 and 1914. Physical therapy
began in America at the Walter Reed Hospital in Washington D.C., which was associated with the U.S. Army. The first
physical therapists coming from this hospital were simply nurses with physical education experience and they were called
“Reconstruction Aides”. They were primarily used in managing the detriments of World War I.
• Mary McMillan created the Physical Therapy Association, now know as the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) in
1921, which was so important for physical therapy to gain national recognition and educational standards were set for
university physical therapy programs.

4. HISTORY OF PHYSICAL THERAPY
• As polio became an epidemic in America in 1924, physical therapy was seen as a key in treatment for the disease. It was this disease
and war injuries that drove the growth of physical therapy for the next 20-30 years.
• Physical therapists practiced exercise, massage, and traction through the 1940’s for treatment and manipulation of the spine and
extremity joints was reintroduced in the 1950’s in the British Commonwealth countries.
• Starting in the 1950’s, physical therapists started practicing beyond just the hospital setting in outpatient orthopedics clinics, public
schools, college/universities, geriatric settings, rehabilitation centers, and medical centers.
• In 1974, physical therapy specialization was introduced. The Orthopaedic Section of the APTA was created for those that wanted to
specialize in orthopedics. International Federation of Orthopaedic Manipulative Therapy was also formed in 1974 and set off “change
and progress” for manual therapy around the world.
• The 1980’s brought both technology and computers which would lead to technical advances in rehabilitation and led to the innovation
of therapeutic techniques like ultrasound, electric stimulators, and iontophoresis with the newest advances in therapeutic cold laser,
which was approved by the FDA in 2002.
• Manual therapy was focused on in the 90’s and residency programs for physical therapists were established.
• Today, the physical therapists are health care providers that work closely with physicians and other health care providers that can refer
patients with medical issues or conditions for treatment where a physical therapist would create a plan to increase physical and
functional abilities and reduce pain.

5. PREREQUISITES AND REQUIREMENTS
FOR PHYSICAL THERAPY SCHOOL
• University of Alabama Birmingham
– Application deadline: 12/01/16
– Rolling Admissions: no
– 75% of prerequisite course hours completed by the end of the
fall semester
– Course Prerequisites: Biological Science, Biology I & II,
Chemistry I & II, English Composition, Math, Medical
Terminology, Physics I& II, Psychology, Physiology, Statistics
– GRE is required:
• 56% Quantitative Reasoning
• 65% Verbal Reasoning
• 3.5 Analytical Writing
– Letters of recommendation:
• 2 physical therapists
• 1 professor
– 40 hours of observation
– Minimum GPA: 3.0
• Samford University
– Application deadline: 10/03/16
– Rolling Admissions: no
– Course Prerequisites: Anatomy & Physiology I & II, Biology I &
II, Chemistry I & II, Physics I & II, Pre-Calculus, Psychology,
Statistics
– GRE is required:
• 144 Quantitative Reasoning
• 153 Verbal Reasoning
• 4.0 Analytical Writing
– Letters of recommendation:
• 1 physical therapist
• 1 professor
• 1 employer/supervisor
– 30 hours of observation
– Minimum GPA: 3.0

6. PREREQUISITES AND REQUIREMENTS
FOR PHYSICAL THERAPY SCHOOL
• University of South Alabama
– Application deadline: 12/01/16
– Rolling Admissions: no
– Course Prerequisites: Biological Science, Biology I & II,
Chemistry I & II, Communication, Computer Science, English
Composition, Fine Arts, Humanities, Literature, Math, Physics I
& II, Psychology, Physiology, Social/Behavioral Science,
Statistics
– USA PT Supplemental Application required
– GRE is required:
• 153 Quantitative Reasoning
• 154 Verbal Reasoning
• 4.0 Analytical Writing
– Letters of recommendation not required
– 50 hours of observation
– Minimum GPA of 3.00
• Alabama State University
– Application deadline: 12/01/16
– Rolling Admissions: no
– Course Prerequisites: Anatomy, Biological Science, Biology I,
Chemistry I & II, Communication, English Composition, Math
Physics I & II, Physiology, Psychology, Statistics
– GRE is required:
• 140 Quantitative
• 145 Verbal
– Letters of recommendation:
• 1 physical therapist
• 1 professor
• 1 employer/supervisor
– 80 hours of observation
– Minimum GPA of 3.00

7. PHYSICAL THERAPY SCHOOL COST OF
ATTENDANCE
• University of Alabama Birmingham
– Total Expenses: $80,772
• Year 1: $22,495
• Year 2: $29,350
• Year 3: $28,927
– 3 year program beginning in Spring
2018
• Samford University
– Total Expenses: ~$101,421
• $10,934 per semester
• 9 semesters
• $335 per semester additional fees
– 3 year program beginning in Summer
2017

8. PHYSICAL THERAPY SCHOOL COST OF
ATTENDANCE
• University of South Alabama
– Total Expenses: $57,896
• $428 per semester hour
• 8 semesters
• $7,875 total additional fees
– 2.5 year program beginning in Fall
2017
• Alabama State University
– Total Expenses: ~$62,730
• $20,710 per year
• 3 year program
• $5,860 per year additional fees
– 3 year program beginning in Fall 2017

9. PHYSICAL THERAPY SALARIES AND
GROWTH
• Physical therapy is ranked #12 in the best health care jobs by U.S. News and World
Report. The median salary for physical therapists is $82,390. Physical therapists in the
75th percentile make $96,060, while the 25th percentile make $68,690. The top end of
physical therapist are making around $116,090 and the bottom end are making
around $56,800. Salaries can vary due to number of years of experience, where in
the U.S. you are located, practice settings, and position. Physical therapy in schools,
home health, and nursing care facilities is providing the best wages.
• As there is currently a high demand for physical therapists, employment is projected
to grow 36% between 2012 and 2022. The etiology of this growth is from the aging
of the U.S. population causing a vital need for the occupation.

10. JOB CRITERIA
• Completion of a bachelor’s degree meeting all pre-requisites for the graduate degree program of
your choice is required.
• To become a certified physical therapist, you must receive a graduate degree (Doctor of Physical
Therapy degree/clinical doctorate) from an accredited physical therapy program. After a graduate
completes their program, to gain clinical experience in the field, they often partake in a residency or
fellowship program. Then, the physical therapist must pass a state-administered national licensure
exam to be able to begin practicing. Once licensed to practice, a physical therapist can become
board-certified in specialty areas such as cardiovascular and pulmonary, clinical electrophysiology,
geriatrics, neurology, orthopedics, pediatrics, sports, and women’s health. One of the keys to the
physical therapy field is continued education.
• Physical therapists can practice in a variety of settings including: outpatient clinics, inpatient
rehabilitation facilities, skilled nursing facilities, extended care facilities, home health, schools,
research centers, hospices, fitness centers, sports training facilities, and industrial/occupational
environments.

11. WHY AM I A GOOD FIT FOR YOUR
PROGRAM?
• Based on my O*NET Profiler results, I scored highest in Social, Enterprise, and Artistic with Realistic
being a close fourth. Physical therapists are typically Social, Investigative, and Realistic.
– My high score in social interest showed that I enjoy working with other people and helping them to learn
and grow. I am interested in teaching, helping, and serving others. These qualities all echo the physical
therapy occupation and its overarching mission.
• I have been a part of the Clemson University Women’s Soccer Team for the past 3 years. Being a
student-athlete comes with responsibilities that include managing 25 hours a week invested in
soccer, maintaining a high academic standard, participating in service opportunities, and dedicating
time to leadership development. I have acquired great time management skills, an ability to work
through adversity, and a high work-ethic.
• My GPA reflects my hard work and dedication to academics, and I have over 30 hours of
observation in the physical therapy setting. I will also be completing a 180 hour internship with a
physical therapist this upcoming Spring.

12. CONCLUSION: MY WHY FOR
PHYSICAL THERAPY
• I would love to work with athletes. I have learned a lot within my major at Clemson about holistic health
and holistic health approaches. I would like to take a holistic approach to physical therapy in the sports
world. I think that a lot of times communication and continuity between coaches, athletic trainers, doctors,
and strength and conditioning coaches gets lost and/or muddled, especially at the collegiate level and
lower. For an athlete to get the attention and time investment necessary for a proper recovery and to get
back on the field of play, I think it is key to have a plan and someone to help you work through that plan.
• Rehabilitation is no walk in the park. It can be emotionally, physically, mentally, and spiritually draining,
especially if you do not have someone by your side along the way to reinforce that things will come to
fruition if you stay the course and commit to the process. Rehab should be a time of healing and
strengthening, so my goal in becoming a physical therapist is providing this holistic approach to athletes in
the process of rehabilitation from injury. With my background in collegiate athletics and having been
through multiple injuries throughout my collegiate career, I believe I can be the facilitator between the
doctors, coaches, and athletic trainers. I want to provide preventative practices for athletic injury as well as
physical therapy that involves not only the physical aspect of rehab, but provide the emotional, mental,
and spiritual side that comes with it as well. My mission as a physical therapist will be to serve athletes with
the best and most innovative care to holistically ensure their rehabilitation is well above the standard.

13. RESOURCES
• http://www.ptcas.org/home.aspx
• http://money.usnews.com/careers/best-jobs/physical-therapist/salary
• http://www.eugenept.com/history.html
• http://www.uab.edu/shp/home/admissions-tuition/tuition/tuition-fees
• https://www.samford.edu/healthprofessions/doctor-of-physical-therapy
• http://www.southalabama.edu/colleges/alliedhealth/pt/expenses.html
• http://www.alasu.edu/cost-aid/tuition--costs/graduate-budgets/index.aspx
• http://www.mynextmove.org/explore/ip
• http://www.apta.org/AboutPTs/