Is a Career in Physical Therapy for You?
Physical therapists (PTs) play an integral role in the delivery of health care. PTs provide services that help restore function, improve mobility, relieve pain, and limit or prevent disabilities of individuals suffering from disease or injury. They promote, maintain, and restore overall fitness and health through examination, evaluation, and the development of a treatment plan for their patients. As a physical therapist, you have the opportunity to work in almost any environment and with any population you wish. PTs work in hospitals, outpatient clinics, schools, rehabilitation facilities, nursing homes and many other growing environments. The possibilities are only limited by the imagination.
Are You Planning on Applying to Physical Therapy School?
A Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree is normally required before entering a PT program. The specific degree does not make a significant difference as long as you have completed all of the necessary prerequisite coursework for the specific program you are interested in attending. Generally, courses that are required when preparing to apply to PT programs include biology, chemistry, physics, social sciences, mathematics, and anatomy and physiology. Because many programs require a number of hours of observation, think about gaining experience as a volunteer or employee in a PT department in a hospital, private practice clinic, or school.
When deciding on possible programs, consider:
Are You Planning on Applying to Physical Therapy School?
A Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree is normally required before entering a PT program. The specific degree does not make a significant difference as long as you have completed all of the necessary prerequisite coursework for the specific program you are interested in attending. Generally, courses that are required when preparing to apply to PT programs include biology, chemistry, physics, social sciences, mathematics, and anatomy and physiology. Because many programs require a number of hours of observation, think about gaining experience as a volunteer or employee in a PT department in a hospital, private practice clinic, or school.
When deciding on possible programs, consider:
- Accreditation status of the program, Geographic location and size of the school, Cost, Class size, Licensure pass rate, Employability, Faculty composition and cohesiveness (years working together), Degree awarded, Design and length of curriculum.
Applying
PTCAS
The Physical Therapy Centralized Application (PTCAS) is the first step to becoming a physical therapist.
WICHE & PSEP
The Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE) Professional Student Exchange Program (PSEP) enables students in 10 western states to enroll in out-of-state professional healthcare programs with reduced tuition that are available in their in-state public institutions.
Participating physical therapy schools are located in:
The Physical Therapy Centralized Application (PTCAS) is the first step to becoming a physical therapist.
WICHE & PSEP
The Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE) Professional Student Exchange Program (PSEP) enables students in 10 western states to enroll in out-of-state professional healthcare programs with reduced tuition that are available in their in-state public institutions.
Participating physical therapy schools are located in:
- Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, Utah, and Washington
LCCC PTA Program
Laramie County Community College, located in Cheyenne, WY, has a Physical Therapy Assistant Program
https://lccc.wy.edu/programs/physicalTherapistAssistant/
https://lccc.wy.edu/programs/physicalTherapistAssistant/