Physical Therapist Schools | Get Your Physical Therapy Degree – Ashford CT

How to Find the Right Physical Therapy Training Program near Ashford 06278

Ashford CT physical therapy school student with volunteerEarning a physical therapy degree near Ashford CT is a critical first step to beginning a fulfilling career in the healthcare field. Physical therapists (PT) help patients who have been disabled due to injury or illness regain function and mobility. But before they may legally practice and provide treatment for the rehabilitation of patients, they need to get the proper training and education. A PT must additionally become licensed in every state, a large number requiring that the licensee hold a physical therapy degree from an accredited school. So prior to selecting a physical therapy school, it’s important to investigate the ones you are considering to ensure they will deliver a quality education and meet your state’s licensing criteria. What you do not want to do is choose a school just because it happens to be the closest to your residence or it has the lowest tuition. There are other relevant qualifications that must be evaluated in addition to cost and location. But before we discuss what those qualifications are and the questions you should be asking, we’ll cover what a physical therapist does and the options for education.

What is a Physical Therapist’s Job Description?

Ashford CT physical therapist helping patient walkPhysical therapists work in varying settings, including Ashford CT private practices, hospitals, assisted living facilities, rehab centers and sports facilities. What the facilities all have in common is that they are equipped for the diagnosis and rehabilitation treatment of patients. As previously touched on, physical therapists help individuals that are experiencing a lack of mobility and often pain due to injury or illness. After diagnosing a patient, they develop a program of treatment to deal with the mobility issues and lessen or eradicate any pain. They also try to prevent any progression of the disability. Though the causes of disability requiring physical therapy are numerous, they include:

  • Arthritis or Osteoporosis
  • Motor vehicle accidents
  • Strokes.
  • Heart attacks.
  • Sports injuries.
  • Burn injuries.
  • Hip Replacement.
  • Fibromyalgia.
  • Cerebral Palsy.

Licensed physical therapists practice in close association with other Ashford CT health specialists, including doctors, chiropractors, dentists and nurses. They may also oversee several physical therapy assistants who work under them in diagnosing and treating their patients. Something to bear in mind for anyone considering entering the physical therapy profession, it is quite physically demanding. Physical therapists often lift patients and heavy equipment, and kneel, crouch and stand for prolonged periods of time on a daily basis.

Physical Therapy Degrees Offered

Ashford CT physical therapist applying acupuncture to patientThere are 3 physical therapist degree options available for students to pursue at the graduate and undergraduate levels. Of these options, the only degree that is offered to practice as a physical therapist is the doctorate. Undergraduate degrees target either preparing students to become a physical therapy assistant (PTA) or readying them to progress to the doctoral level. Following are brief summaries of degree levels that are offered in the Ashford CT area:

  • Associate Degrees prepare students to be physical therapy assistants, or may be used as a stepping stone to a more advanced degree. Applicants must have earned a high school diploma or equivalent to qualify for enrollment. The degrees are typically provided by junior or community colleges, and require two years for completion. An internship or other form of clinical training is typically part of the curriculum.
  • Bachelor’s Degrees are developed as pre-physical therapy education to prepare students to move up to the doctoral level. Although they are not required to be qualified for the doctoral program, they are an essential preliminary step to practicing as a PT. Similar to most bachelor’s degrees, they generally take four years to finish and often incorporate an internship program of at least 500 hours.
  • Doctorate Degrees are mandated if you want to become a practicing licensed physical therapist. The degree program also must be accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE). In addition to the bachelor’s degree, the doctoral takes three years to complete, making the total investment of time seven years in the majority of cases. Clinical training is an intregal element along with the considerable classroom and lab instruction. Therefor the fulfillment of an internship is required, not only for graduation but in several states for licensing as well.

The Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) has taken the place of the Master’s of Physical Therapy (MPT), which has been eliminated and is no longer attainable in the USA. Some licensed physical therapists having a master’s or even a bachelor’s degree were “grandfathered” in prior to the current licensing mandate for a doctorate was implemented.

Physical Therapy Programs Online

woman attending physical therapy school online in Ashford CTAlthough not as common as the on-campus alternatives, there are some accredited online physical therapist degrees offered, even more at the graduate level. Because of the hands-on nature of the training, clinical lab work and internships are incorporated with the online classes. This requires that the student live close to the school campus or nearby an available internship. Fortunately, the online part of the course of study can be accessed within the comfort and convenience of the student’s Ashford CT residence. Online programs are not only partially more accessible, but in many cases more affordable. Tuition may be somewhat less than similar on-campus alternatives, and costs for commuting are reduced. And many of the online programs are accredited by the CAPTE, ensuring a quality education. These benefits can make the online option the best choice for those students that are dedicated enough to learn at home.

What to Ask Physical Therapist Colleges

At this point you undoubtedly have come to decision concerning several of your preliminary questions, like the type of physical therapy degree you would like to obtain, where you prefer to attend classes, and how much you can afford to invest in your education. But since there are numerous PT schools within the Ashford CT area and across Connecticut, you’ll have to research other qualifications as well in order to further reduce your list of college options. Furthermore, you want to make certain that you pick the school that is ideal for you. That’s the reason we have compiled a list of critical questions that you need to ask the physical therapist programs you are reviewing. Ask each of the competing schools these questions prior to making an ultimate decision.

Is the Physical Therapy School Accredited?  Find out if the schools you are looking at have received accreditation from a national or a regional agency. As earlier stated, if you are pursuing a doctoral degree the program must be accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE). If you select an online college, it can also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council. It’s imperative that both the physical therapist school and program you select are accredited, not just the school. Additionally, make sure that the accreditation is through a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting agency. Besides guaranteeing that you receive a quality education, accreditation might be mandated for state licensing and even for getting student loans or financial assistance.

What is the School’s Reputation? Along with accreditation, it’s important that the college and program you choose have excellent reputations within the physical therapy profession. There are several ways you can research a PT college’s reputation, beginning with asking for references from employers that they place their graduates with. You may also search for online rating services and reviews and ask the accrediting agencies for their reviews as well. Call some Ashford CT physical therapist clinics or other medical care facilities that you might be interested in working for and ask if they can provide any insight about your college options. It may also be a good idea to check with the Connecticut Attorney General and school licensing authority to find out if any complaints have been filed against the colleges.

What is the Program’s Job Placement Rate? There are a two useful statistics that you should find out about all of the physical therapist colleges you are reviewing. One is their graduation rate. A low rate may suggest that students dropped out because of dissatisfaction with the program, the teachers, or both. Once the students have graduated, how many of them are being hired with the assistance of the college’s job placement program, particularly in the Ashford CT area? If a program has a higher job placement rate, it suggests that its reputation within the health care field is good or even exceptional. It also affirms that the program has a broad network of contacts to help students gain internships or employment upon graduation.

Does the Program Prepare You For Licensing Requirements? It’s important that the college you choose furnishes both superior training and a course of study that satisfies the licensing criteria for Connecticut or the state where you will be practicing. In each state a passing score is required on the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) along with a degree from an accredited physical therapy college. Although licensing requirements differ state by state for PTA and PT graduates, a number of states require a minimum amount of clinical hours be completed as well as passing scores on supplemental exams.

Are Internship Programs Sponsored? Find out if the physical therapy colleges you are evaluating have relationships with Ashford CT hospitals or clinics for internship programs. Internships are not only an excellent means to receive practical training in a clinical environment, they are additionally a requirement for most PT programs and state licensing. As a secondary benefit, they can assist graduates and students establish professional relationships in the Ashford health care community and help with job placement once licensed.

What Size are the Classes ? Unless you are the sort of student that prefers to sit way in the rear of the classroom or get lost in the crowd, you will likely want a small class size. Smaller classes permit more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the physical therapy schools you are reviewing what the typical student to teacher ratio is for their classrooms. If practical you may want to sit in on one or more classes before making your final determination. This will also give you an opportunity to speak with some of the students and instructors to get their perspectives regarding the pharmacist tech program also.

Where is the Program Located? For a lot of students, the physical therapist school they choose will need to be within commuting distance of their Ashford CT home. Students who have opted to attend online classes obviously will not have to worry themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of area internships will be of importance. Something to bear in mind is that if you choose to enroll in a program that is out of state or perhaps out of your local area, you might have to pay a higher tuition. State colleges often charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges normally charge a higher tuition for those students that don’t reside within their districts.

Is Financial Help Provided? The majority of DPT schools offer some form of financial support to their potential students. Ask if the schools you are considering have a financial assistance office and find out what kind of aid is available. At a minimum they should help in obtaining a student loan or any grants you might be eligible for. Some physical therapist schools provide scholarships, while others offer work programs. So before you eliminate a college because the tuition is too expensive, find out what financial aid may be available.

Can the School Accommodate your Schedule? And last you need to confirm that the physical therapy college you finally choose can furnish the class schedule you need. This is particularly important if you choose to continue working while you attend classes. If you must schedule evening or weekend classes in the Ashford CT area, make sure that they are available. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, find out if that is an option and how many credit hours or courses you would have to enroll in. Also, learn what the protocol is for making up any classes that you may miss as a result of illness, work or family emergencies.

Earning Your Physical Therapy Degree near Ashford Connecticut?

If you are planning on attending a Physical Therapy School in the Ashford CT area, the following information may prove to be both interesting and educational regarding the location of your future Alma Mater.

Ashford, Connecticut

Ashford is a town in Windham County, Connecticut, United States.[2] It is part of the Connecticut Quiet Corner. The population was 4,317 at the 2010 census. It was founded in 1714. Eastford was a part of Ashford until 1847, when the former split off to organize its own town.[3] For this reason North Ashford is located in northeast Eastford.

Ashford is home to the largest boy scout camp in Connecticut, the June Norcross Webster Scout Reservation; to Paul Newman's Hole in the Wall Gang Camp for children with cancer and other serious illness; to the Salvation Army CONNRI Lodge and Conference Center;[4] and to the Evangelical Christian Center, a retreat, camp and conference center.[5]

President George Washington, returning from his tour of the country in the fall of 1789, was chagrined to be involuntarily abandoned in the village on a Sunday. It was contrary to law to hire a conveyance on that day, which was observed by villagers, to Washington's great annoyance.[6]

Choose the Ideal Physical Therapist Degree Program near Ashford CT

Deciding on the right physical therapy program is a necessary initial decision you have to make to begin a rewarding career in the healthcare profession. As we have discussed in this article, the PT or DPT degree program and college you pick should both have outstanding reputations and accreditation. But there are additional relevant questions that you need to ask pertaining to your college of choice also. As you start your search for a physical therapist college, keep in mind that many factors will guide you to your final decision. You may decide to go to different colleges to see their facilities and speak to active DPT students. While there, ask yourself this critical question: will this school help me reach my goal of becoming a licensed practicing physical therapist? By following our list of supplemental questions, you will be able to narrow down the options so you can make the best selection. And with the proper education and training, you can achieve your dream of becoming a licensed physical therapist in Ashford CT.

A Few More Interesting Locations in Connecticut

  • Physical Therapist Schools | Get Your Physical Therapy Degree – Rogers CT
  • Physical Therapist Schools | Get Your Physical Therapy Degree – Stafford Springs CT
  • Physical Therapist Schools | Get Your Physical Therapy Degree – Torrington CT
  • Physical Therapist Schools | Get Your Physical Therapy Degree – Manchester CT
  • Physical Therapist Schools | Get Your Physical Therapy Degree – North Branford CT
  • Physical Therapist Schools | Get Your Physical Therapy Degree – Westbrook CT
  • Physical Therapist Schools | Get Your Physical Therapy Degree – Hawleyville CT
  • Physical Therapist Schools | Get Your Physical Therapy Degree – Yantic CT
  • Physical Therapist Schools | Get Your Physical Therapy Degree – South Windham CT
  • Physical Therapist Schools | Get Your Physical Therapy Degree – Northford CT
  •  

     

    The location could not be found.

     

    Business Results 1 - 10 of 33

    Select Physical Therapy
    2 Reviews
    Physical Therapy
    Phone:
    9 Dog Ln, Ste 108, Storrs Mansfield, CT 06268

    Integrated Rehabilitation Services
    4 Reviews
    Physical Therapy
    Phone:
    9B Fieldstone Commons, Tolland, CT 06084

    Nayden Rehabilitation Clinic
    1 Reviews
    Physical Therapy
    Phone:
    843 Bolton Rd, Storrs, CT 06269

    Mansfield Physical Therapy
    2 Reviews
    Physical Therapy
    Phone:
    175 Stafford Rd, Mansfield Center, CT 06250

    Crossroads Physical Therapy
    3 Reviews
    Physical Therapy
    Phone:
    106 Route 66 E, Columbia, CT 06237

    Performance Physical Therapy & Sports Medicine
    3 Reviews
    Sports Medicine, Physical Therapy
    Phone:
    21 Liberty Dr, Unit C, Hebron, CT 06248

    Intergrated Rehabilitation Services
    1 Reviews
    Physical Therapy
    Phone:
    520 Hartford Tpke, Vernon Rockville, CT 06066

    Intergrated Rehabilitation Services
    1 Reviews
    Physical Therapy
    Phone:
    586 Middle Tpke E, Manchester, CT 06040

    Vernon Manor
    3 Reviews
    Rehabilitation Center, Physical Therapy, Hospice
    Phone:
    180 Regan Rd, Vernon Rockville, CT 06066

    South County Physical Therapy
    1 Reviews
    Physical Therapy
    Phone:
    306 Sturbridge Rd, Charlton, MA 01507