Physical Therapist Schools | Get Your Physical Therapy Degree – Bradley IL

How to Select a Physical Therapist Training Program near Bradley 60915

Bradley IL physical therapy school student with volunteerGetting a physical therapist degree near Bradley IL is an important first step to starting a rewarding career in the healthcare field. Physical therapists (PT) help people who have been disabled as a result of illness or injury gain back mobility and function. But before they may legally practice and work with the rehabilitation of patients, they need to acquire the appropriate education and training. A PT must also become licensed in all states, a large number requiring that the licensee hold a physical therapy degree from an accredited college. So prior to enrolling in a physical therapy school, it’s necessary to research the ones you are considering to make certain they will provide a superior education and meet your state’s licensing criteria. What you should not do is select a college just because it happens to be the nearest to your residence or it has the most affordable tuition. There are other relevant qualifications that must be considered besides location and cost. But before we cover what those qualifications are and the questions you should be asking, we’ll address what a physical therapist does and what the educational options are.

What Do Physical Therapists Do?

Bradley IL physical therapist helping patient walkPhysical therapists work in diverse settings, including Bradley IL private practices, hospitals, rehabilitation centers, nursing homes and sports facilities. What the facilities all have in common is that they have the equipment for the diagnosis and rehabilitation treatment of patients. As earlier stated, physical therapists help patients that are struggling with a lack of mobility and in many cases pain caused by illness or injury. After diagnosing a patient, they develop a program of treatment to resolve the mobility problems and lessen or eliminate any pain. They also strive to prevent any advancement of the disability. While the causes of disability requiring physical therapy are abundant, they include:

  • Arthritis or Osteoporosis
  • Car or motor cycle accidents
  • Head injuries.
  • Cardiac arrest.
  • Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.
  • Fire injuries.
  • Knee Replacement.
  • Fibromyalgia.
  • Cerebral Palsy.

Licensed physical therapists practice in close association with other Bradley IL health specialists, including doctors, chiropractors, dentists and nurses. They may also oversee several physical therapy assistants who work under them assisting with the diagnosis and treatment of their patients. One thing to bear in mind for anyone thinking about going into the physical therapy profession, it is rather physically demanding. Physical therapists routinely lift patients and heavy equipment, and kneel, crouch and stand for extended periods of time on a daily basis.

Physical Therapist Degrees Offered

Bradley IL physical therapist applying acupuncture to patientThere are 3 physical therapy degrees available for individuals to enroll in at the undergraduate and graduate levels. Of these alternatives, the single degree that is offered to practice as a physical therapist is the doctorate. Undergraduate degrees emphasize either training students to become a physical therapy assistant (PTA) or prepping them to advance to the doctoral level. Below are short explanations of degree levels that are offered in the Bradley IL area:

  • Associate Degrees prepare students to be physical therapy assistants, or can be used as a stepping stone to a more advanced degree. Applicants must have a high school diploma or equivalent to qualify for enrollment. The degrees are most often made available by junior or community colleges, and take about 2 years to complete. An internship or other form of clinical training is usually part of the program.
  • Bachelor’s Degrees are developed as pre-physical therapist education to prep candidates to advance to the doctoral level. While they are not a requirement to be eligible for the doctoral program, they are an important preliminary step to becoming a PT. As with the majority of bachelor’s degrees, they typically take 4 years to complete and usually incorporate an internship program of a minimum of 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 finish, making the total commitment seven years in the majority of cases. Clinical training is an essential component in addition to the extensive lab and classroom instruction. Therefor the completion of an internship is mandated, not only for graduation but in some states for licensing also.

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 available in the USA. A number of licensed physical therapists having a master’s or in some cases a bachelor’s degree were “grandfathered” in prior to the present licensing mandate for a doctorate was implemented.

Physical Therapist Schools Online

woman attending physical therapy school online in Bradley ILWhile not as prevalent as the on-campus alternatives, there are a number of accredited online physical therapy degrees offered, more so at the graduate level. Due to the hands-on structure of the training, clinical lab work and internships are incorporated with the online classes. This requires that the student live near the college campus or nearby an available internship. However, the online portion of the program may be accessed within the convenience and comfort of the student’s Bradley IL residence. Online schools are not only partially more accessible, but in a number of cases more affordable. Tuition might be somewhat less than comparable on campus alternatives, and expenses for commuting are reduced. And many of the online schools are accredited by the CAPTE, assuring a quality education. These benefits may make the online option the ideal choice for those students that are dedicated enough to attend classes at home.

Subjects to Ask Physical Therapist Programs

By now you probably have come to decision regarding some of your initial questions, including the type of physical therapy degree you would like to earn, where you want to attend classes, and how much money you can afford to invest in your education. But since there are numerous PT colleges within the Bradley IL area and throughout Illinois, you’ll need to look into additional qualifications as well in order to further narrow your list of school choices. Furthermore, you need to make certain that you choose the program that is right for you. That’s why we have put together a list of important questions that you need to ask the physical therapist programs you are thinking about. Ask all of the potential schools these questions prior to making an ultimate decision.

Is the Physical Therapy School Accredited?  Ask if the programs you are looking at have received accreditation from a regional or a national agency. As previously mentioned, if you are pursuing a doctoral degree the program must be accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE). If you enroll in an online program, it can also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council. It’s important that both the physical therapy school and program you select are accredited, not simply the school. Additionally, check that the accreditation is through a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged accrediting organization. Besides ensuring that you receive a quality education, accreditation may be mandated for state licensing and even for getting student loans or financial assistance.

What is the School’s Standing? In addition to accreditation, it’s essential that the college and program you select have excellent reputations within the physical therapy community. There are a number of ways you can look into a PT program’s reputation, starting with requesting references from employers that they refer their students to. You can also check online rating services and reviews and ask the accrediting agencies for their reviews also. Get in touch with some Bradley IL physical therapy centers or other medical care facilities that you may have an interest in working for and ask if they can give you any recommendations about your college selections. It may also be prudent to check with the Illinois Attorney General and school licensing authority to see if any complaints have been filed against the schools.

What is the Program’s Job Placement Percentage? There are a two useful statistics that you should know about each of the physical therapist schools you are reviewing. One is their graduation rate. A lower rate may indicate that students dropped out because of dissatisfaction with the program, the instructors, or both. After the students have graduated, how many of them are being hired with the support of the school’s job placement program, particularly in the Bradley IL area? If a program has a higher job placement rate, it’s an indication that its reputation within the medical care community is good or even outstanding. It also affirms that the college has a broad network of contacts to help students obtain internships or employment after graduation.

Does the School Prepare You For Licensing Requirements? It’s imperative that the program you select provides both superior training and a course of study that satisfies the licensing requirements for Illinois or the state where you will be practicing. In each state a passing score is required on the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) in addition to a degree from an accredited physical therapy college. Although licensing requirements vary state by state for PTA and PT graduates, many states require a minimum number of clinical hours be completed as well as passing scores on supplemental tests.

Are Internship Programs Sponsored? Find out if the physical therapist programs you are reviewing have partnerships with Bradley IL clinics or hospitals for internship programs. Internships are not only a great way to receive practical experience in a clinical environment, they are also a requirement for most PT programs and state licensing. As an ancillary benefit, they may help students and graduates establish professional connections in the Bradley healthcare community and assist with job placement after licensing.

What Size are the Classes ? Unless you are the sort of student that prefers to sit way in the back of the classroom or get lost in the crowd, you will probably want a smaller class size. Smaller classes allow for more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the physical therapist schools you are reviewing what the average student to teacher ratio is for their classrooms. If practical you may prefer to monitor one or more classes before making your ultimate determination. This will also give you an opportunity to speak with a few of the instructors and students to get their opinions regarding the pharmacist technician program also.

Where is the School Located? For many students, the physical therapist college they choose will need to be within driving distance of their Bradley IL home. Individuals who have chosen to attend classes online obviously will not have to worry themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of local internships will be of concern. One thing to keep in mind is that if you choose to enroll in a school that is out of state or even out of your local area, you may have to pay a higher tuition. State colleges often charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges often charge a higher tuition for those students that live outside of their districts.

Is Financial Support Provided? The majority of DPT schools supply some type of financial support to their potential students. Find out if the colleges you are reviewing have a financial aid office and see what type of assistance is obtainable. At a minimum they should help in securing a student loan or any grants you may be eligible for. Some physical therapy schools offer scholarships, while others provide work programs. So before eliminating a school because the tuition is beyond your budget, learn what financial assistance might be available.

Can the College Accommodate your Schedule? And last you need to confirm that the physical therapy program you ultimately choose can offer the class schedule you need. This is especially crucial if you choose to continue working while you attend school. If you must schedule night or weekend classes in the Bradley IL area, verify that they are available. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, find out if that is an option and how many courses or credit hours you would need to enroll in. Also, learn what the protocol is for making up any classes that you might miss because of illness, work or family emergencies.

Earning Your Physical Therapy Degree near Bradley Illinois?

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

Bradley, Illinois

Bradley (formerly North Kankakee) is a village in Kankakee County, Illinois, United States. It is a suburb of the City of Kankakee. The population was 12,784 at the 2000 census, 15,070 in 2009, and 15,871 in 2012.

Bradley is a principal city of the Kankakee–Bradley Metropolitan Statistical Area, which includes all of Kankakee County. The county is also part of the larger Chicago–Naperville–Michigan City, IL-IN-WI Combined Statistical Area.

In 1891, North Kankakee was established when the David Bradley Plow Works established a factory, and in recognition of this, in 1895, the town changed its name to Bradley City (later Bradley). Bradley was mostly a blue collar town with the Kroehler Furniture factory and the Roper Corporation factory (maker of kitchen ranges and ovens; part of their operations were in the building that David Bradley once occupied) being the major employers. In the 1980s, as with the rest of the Midwest, these factories closed, and after their closures, parts of those factories burned to the ground. However, by the end of the decade, things changed. In 1989, a new shopping center called Bradley Square was built with Wal-Mart as the first tenant, and more shops followed. The brightest spot in the village's history came on August 1, 1990, when Northfield Square Mall opened. Bradley was poised to attract business. Since that time, the village has been growing. Now, many businesses inhabit the area.

Enroll in the Best Physical Therapist Training Program near Bradley IL

Selecting the best physical therapist college is a necessary initial decision you have to make to begin a gratifying career in the health care profession. As we have discussed in this article, the PT or DPT degree program and school you enroll in should both have excellent reputations and accreditation. But there are other relevant questions that you need to ask regarding your school of choice also. As you start your search for a physical therapy program, bear in mind that a number of factors will lead you toward your ultimate decision. You might want to visit each of the colleges to view their facilities and talk to current DPT students. While there, ask yourself this important question: will this college help me realize my goal of becoming a practicing licensed physical therapist? By following our list of additional questions, you will have the ability to narrow down the field so you can make the ideal choice. And with the proper training and education, you can achieve your dream to become a practicing physical therapist in Bradley IL.

A Few More Interesting Locations in Illinois

  • Physical Therapist Schools | Get Your Physical Therapy Degree – Downs IL
  • Physical Therapist Schools | Get Your Physical Therapy Degree – Towanda IL
  • Physical Therapist Schools | Get Your Physical Therapy Degree – Girard IL
  • Physical Therapist Schools | Get Your Physical Therapy Degree – Lisle IL
  • Physical Therapist Schools | Get Your Physical Therapy Degree – Gurnee IL
  • Physical Therapist Schools | Get Your Physical Therapy Degree – Liberty IL
  • Physical Therapist Schools | Get Your Physical Therapy Degree – Apple River IL
  • Physical Therapist Schools | Get Your Physical Therapy Degree – Princeton IL
  • Physical Therapist Schools | Get Your Physical Therapy Degree – Perry IL
  • Physical Therapist Schools | Get Your Physical Therapy Degree – Kewanee IL
  •  

     

    The location could not be found.

     

    Business Results 1 - 10 of 48

    ATI Physical Therapy
    2 Reviews
    Physical Therapy, Rehabilitation Center
    Phone:
    110 Mooney Dr, Ste 5, Bourbonnais, IL 60914

    Koehler Sports & Spinal Rehab
    3 Reviews
    Chiropractors, Nutritionists, Physical Therapy
    Phone:
    232 Main St NW, Ste 201, Bourbonnais, IL 60914

    ATI Physical Therapy
    2 Reviews
    Physical Therapy, Rehabilitation Center
    Phone:
    1275 N Convent St, Ste 3, Bourbonnais, IL 60914

    Foster Chiropractic
    2 Reviews
    Acupuncture, Chiropractors, Physical Therapy
    Phone:
    588 William R Latham Sr Dr, Bourbonnais, IL 60914

    Athletico Physical Therapy - Kankakee
    2 Reviews
    Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, Rehabilitation Center
    Phone:
    3 Meadowview Ctr, Kankakee, IL 60901

    Physicians Immediate Care - Bradley/Kankakee
    4 Reviews
    Urgent Care, Walk-in Clinics, Doctors
    Phone:
    350 N Kinzie Ave, Bradley, IL 60915

    JointPro Physical Therapy
    5 Reviews
    Physical Therapy
    Phone:
    9645 Lincoln Way Ln, Ste 116, Frankfort, IL 60423

    New Life Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation
    1 Reviews
    Physical Therapy, Sports Medicine
    Phone:
    25622 S Governors Hwy, Monee, IL 60449

    JointPro Physical Therapy
    6 Reviews
    Physical Therapy
    Phone:
    1405 E Lincoln Hwy, New Lenox, IL 60451

    Integrated Physical Medicine
    11 Reviews
    Chiropractors, Physical Therapy, Massage Therapy
    Phone:
    2499 E Joliet Hwy, New Lenox, IL 60451