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

How to Find the Right Physical Therapist Program near Valmeyer 62295

Valmeyer IL physical therapy school student with volunteerReceiving a physical therapist degree near Valmeyer IL is an essential first step to beginning a rewarding career in the health care field. Physical therapists (PT) help people who have been incapacitated as a result of injury or illness gain back mobility and function. But before they can practice and work with the rehabilitation of patients, they must get the proper education and training. A PT must additionally be licensed in every state, a large number mandating that the licensee earn a physical therapy degree from an accredited college. So prior to choosing a physical therapy school, it’s essential to investigate the ones you are looking at to ensure they will provide a quality education and satisfy your state’s licensing standards. What you should not do is select a school simply because it happens to be the nearest to your home or it has the most affordable tuition. There are other important qualifications that need to be considered along with cost and location. But before we talk about what those qualifications are and what questions you should ask, we’ll cover what a physical therapist does and what the educational options are.

What is a Physical Therapist?

Valmeyer IL physical therapist helping patient walkPhysical therapists practice in a variety of settings, including Valmeyer IL hospitals, health clinics, assisted living facilities, rehab centers and health clubs. What the facilities all have in common is that they have the equipment for the diagnosis and rehabilitation treatment of patients. As previously mentioned, physical therapists help patients that are struggling with a lack of mobility and in many cases pain due to illness or injury. After patient diagnosis, they develop a course of treatment to address the mobility problems and reduce or eradicate any pain. They also try to prevent any progression of the disability. Although the causes of disability requiring physical therapy are numerous, they include:

  • Arthritis or Osteoporosis
  • Motor vehicle accidents
  • Strokes.
  • Cardiac arrest.
  • Sports injuries.
  • Burn injuries.
  • Knee Replacement.
  • Sciatica.
  • Multiple Sclerosis.

Licensed physical therapists practice in close affiliation with other Valmeyer IL medical specialists, including chiropractors, physicians, registered nurses and dentists. They may also manage several physical therapy assistants who work for them assisting with diagnosing and treating their patients. One thing to bear in mind for anyone considering entering the physical therapy profession, it is rather physically demanding. Physical therapists regularly lift patients and heavy equipment, and kneel, crouch and stand for prolonged periods of time on a daily basis.

Physical Therapy Degrees Offered

Valmeyer IL physical therapist applying acupuncture to patientThere are three physical therapist degree options available for students to enroll in at the graduate and undergraduate levels. Of these choices, the one degree that is offered to become a physical therapist is the doctorate. Undergraduate degrees focus on either training students to become a physical therapy assistant (PTA) or prepping them to advance to the doctoral level. Following are brief summaries of degree levels that are offered in the Valmeyer IL area:

  • Associate Degrees prepare students to become physical therapy assistants, or can 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 programs are typically made available by community or junior colleges, and take about 2 years for completion. Clinical training, which may be in the form of an internship is usually a component of the course of study.
  • Bachelor’s Degrees are designed as pre-physical therapy education to prep candidates to move up to the doctoral level. While they are not a requirement to be a candidate for the doctoral program, they are an essential preliminary step to becoming a PT. As with the majority of bachelor’s degrees, they typically require 4 years to finish and usually incorporate an internship program of a minimum of 500 hours.
  • Doctorate Degrees are required if you want to become a licensed practicing physical therapist. The degree program must also be accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE). After earning the bachelor’s degree, the doctoral takes 3 years to finish, making the overall commitment 7 years in most cases. Practical or clinical training is an essential element along with the considerable classroom and lab instruction. Therefor the completion of an internship is mandated, not solely 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 phased out and is no longer attainable in the United States. A number of practicing physical therapists holding a master’s or even a bachelor’s degree were “grandfathered” in before the current licensing requirement for a doctorate was implemented.

Physical Therapy Degrees Online

woman attending physical therapy school online in Valmeyer ILAlthough not as prevalent as the on campus alternatives, there are some accredited online physical therapist programs available, even more at the graduate level. Because of the hands-on structure of the training, internships and clinical lab work are incorporated with the online classes. This necessitates that the student live near the college campus or nearby an available internship. However, the online part of the curriculum can be accessed within the comfort and convenience of the student’s Valmeyer IL residence. Online schools are not only partially more accessible, but in many cases more economical. Tuition can be somewhat less than similar on campus alternatives, and expenditures for commuting are reduced. And many of the online programs are accredited by the CAPTE, guaranteeing a quality education. These advantages may make the online alternative the ideal choice for those students that are disciplined enough to learn at home.

Subjects to Ask Physical Therapist Colleges

At this point you undoubtedly have made a decision regarding several of your initial queries, including the kind of physical therapist degree you would like to obtain, where you want to attend classes, and how much money you can afford to spend for your education. But since there are numerous PT schools within the Valmeyer IL area and across Illinois, you’ll need to explore additional qualifications also in order to further reduce your list of school options. Furthermore, you need to make sure that you choose the school that is ideal for you. That’s why we have collected a list of critical questions that you must ask the physical therapy schools you are considering. Ask all of the potential schools these questions before making an ultimate selection.

Is the Physical Therapist School Accredited?  Ask if the schools you are looking at have received accreditation from a regional or a national agency. As earlier mentioned, if you are pursuing a doctorate the program must be accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE). If you select an online college, it may also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council. It’s essential that both the physical therapist program and school you enroll in are accredited, not just the school. Additionally, verify that the accreditation is through a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged accrediting organization. Along with guaranteeing that you obtain a quality education, accreditation might be mandated for state licensing and even for securing student loans or financial aid.

What is the College’s Standing? Along with accreditation, it’s important that the college and program you pick have outstanding reputations within the physical therapist profession. There are several ways you can research a PT school’s reputation, beginning with asking for references from employers that they refer their students to. You may also search for online reviews and rating services and ask the accrediting agencies for their reviews as well. Contact a few Valmeyer IL physical therapy centers or other medical care facilities that you might be interested in working for and ask if they can offer any recommendations about your program options. It might also be a good idea to check with the Illinois Attorney General and school licensing authority to see if any complaints have been filed against the colleges.

What is the School’s Job Placement Rate? There are a two important statistics that you should find out about all of the physical therapist colleges you are considering. One is their graduation rate. A low rate may indicate that students left due to dissatisfaction with the program, the instructors, or both. After the students have graduated, what percentage of them are being placed in jobs with the help of the college’s job placement program, particularly in the Valmeyer IL area? If a school has a higher job placement rate, it’s an indication that its reputation within the medical care field is good or perhaps outstanding. It also affirms that the program has a wide network of contacts to assist students get internships or employment upon graduation.

Does the School Support Licensing Requirements? It’s essential that the college you select provides both exceptional training and a course of study that satisfies the licensing criteria for Illinois or the state where you will be practicing. In every state a passing score is required on the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) along with a degree from an accredited physical therapist program. While licensing requirements fluctuate state by state for PT and PTA graduates, a number of states require a minimum amount of clinical hours be performed and passing scores on additional exams.

Are Internship Programs Provided? Find out if the physical therapist schools you are reviewing have relationships with Valmeyer IL clinics or hospitals for internship programs. Internships are not only a great means to obtain hands on experience in a clinical environment, they are additionally a requirement for most PT programs and state licensing. As a supplemental benefit, they can assist students and graduates form professional connections in the Valmeyer medical community and assist with job placement once licensed.

What Size are the Classes ? Unless you are the sort of student that prefers to sit way in the back of class or hide in the crowd, you will undoubtedly prefer a small class size. Smaller classes enable more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the physical therapy colleges you are looking at what the average teacher to student ratio is for their classes. If practical you may prefer to sit in on one or more classes before making your ultimate determination. This will also give you a chance to talk with several of the instructors and students to get their perspectives regarding the pharmacist technician program also.

Where is the Program Located? For a number of students, the physical therapist college they pick will have to be within driving distance of their Valmeyer IL residence. Students who have decided to attend classes online naturally will not have to concern themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of area internships will be of concern. Something to keep in mind is that if you decide to enroll in a college that is out of state or even out of your local area, you might be required to pay a higher tuition. State colleges generally charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges generally charge a higher tuition to those students that don’t reside within their districts.

Is Financial Help Provided? The majority of DPT colleges supply some type of financial aid to their potential students. Ask if the schools you are reviewing have a financial aid department and find out what kind of aid is available. They at least should help in obtaining a student loan or any grants you might qualify for. A number of physical therapist schools offer scholarships, while others offer work programs. So before eliminating a program because the tuition is too expensive, find out what financial assistance might be available.

Can the College Accommodate your Schedule? And last you must confirm that the physical therapy program you ultimately choose can offer the class schedule you need. This is particularly crucial if you opt to continue working while you attend classes. If you must schedule night or weekend classes in the Valmeyer IL area, check that they are offered. If you can only attend part-time, find out if that is an option and how many credit hours or courses you would have to carry. Also, learn what the protocol is for making up any classes that you might miss due to illness, work or family emergencies.

Earning Your Physical Therapy Degree near Valmeyer Illinois?

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

Valmeyer, Illinois

Valmeyer was named after a German immigrant who settled there, Val-Meyer, literally:"The valley of the Meyers". Many of his relations and descendants live in the area to this day. The original site of the village in the American Bottom floodplain was inundated by the Great Flood of 1993 of the Mississippi River. After the flood receded, the village accepted federal government assistance to relocate to higher ground about 2 miles (3.2 km) to the east atop the bluffs, on the north side of the eponymous valley.

Valmeyer's history has been marked by the periodic flooding of the Mississippi River and efforts to control it, the town having been flooded in 1910, 1943, and 1944. In the 1940s and 1950s, the Army Corps of Engineers constructed a levee system to protect the village and surrounding area. This levee system successfully protected the area from flooding for almost 50 years, even as floods occurred upstream from Valmeyer, the most significant threat having come in 1973.

It was not until the Great Flood of 1993 that the levees protecting Valmeyer and its environs were damaged by floodwater causing a large gap to form, flooding the town. Though the village was largely destroyed, the flooding of the American Bottom floodplain relieved pressure upstream from Valmeyer, and very likely saved downtown St. Louis from a major flood event. This was an intentional design element in the original levee plan, to use the sparsely populated agricultural areas surrounding Valmeyer to relieve threat against the more valuable real estate in the levee districts north of Valmeyer, including St. Louis. Valmeyer's story was well documented in both the national and international media, most notably on public television's Nova program, as a front-page article in the New York Times, and in a feature article in Smithsonian in June 1996.

Select the Right Physical Therapist Degree Program near Valmeyer IL

Selecting the right physical therapist school is a necessary first decision you have to make to launch a fulfilling career in the health care profession. As we have discussed in this article, the DPT or PT degree program and college you choose should both have outstanding reputations and accreditation. However there are additional critical questions that you should ask concerning your school of choice also. As you commence your search for a physical therapy program, keep in mind that numerous factors will guide you toward your final decision. You may want to visit different campuses to view their facilities and talk to active DPT students. While there, ask yourself this critical question: will this program help me achieve my goal of becoming a practicing licensed physical therapist? By adhering to our list of supplemental questions, you will be able to narrow down the field so you can make the best selection. And with the necessary training and education, you can achieve your dream of becoming a licensed physical therapist in Valmeyer IL.

A Few More Interesting Locations in Illinois

  • Physical Therapist Schools | Get Your Physical Therapy Degree – Hutsonville IL
  • Physical Therapist Schools | Get Your Physical Therapy Degree – Sparland IL
  • Physical Therapist Schools | Get Your Physical Therapy Degree – Medinah IL
  • Physical Therapist Schools | Get Your Physical Therapy Degree – Meredosia IL
  • Physical Therapist Schools | Get Your Physical Therapy Degree – Lemont IL
  • Physical Therapist Schools | Get Your Physical Therapy Degree – Orland Park IL
  • Physical Therapist Schools | Get Your Physical Therapy Degree – Milledgeville IL
  • Physical Therapist Schools | Get Your Physical Therapy Degree – Mundelein IL
  • Physical Therapist Schools | Get Your Physical Therapy Degree – Bellflower IL
  • Physical Therapist Schools | Get Your Physical Therapy Degree – Macomb IL
  •  

     

    The location could not be found.

     

    Business Results 1 - 10 of 96

    Waterloo Chiropractic & Rehab Center
    3 Reviews
    Chiropractors
    Phone:
    305 S Moore St, Ste A, Waterloo, IL 62298

    ProRehab, P.C.
    1 Reviews
    Physical Therapy
    Phone:
    3950 Vogel Rd, Arnold, MO 63010

    Theraplus
    5 Reviews
    Physical Therapy, Trainers
    Phone:
    2001 S Hanley Rd, Ste 190, Saint Louis, MO 63144

    SSM Health Physical Therapy
    2 Reviews
    Physical Therapy, Sports Medicine, Occupational Therapy
    Phone:
    2532 Lemay Ferry Rd, St. Louis, MO 63125

    SSM Health Physical Therapy
    2 Reviews
    Physical Therapy, Sports Medicine, Occupational Therapy
    Phone:
    32 Hampton Village Plaza, St. Louis, MO 63109

    Body Gears Physical Therapy
    12 Reviews
    Physical Therapy
    Phone:
    509 S Hanley Rd, Clayton, MO 63105

    Apex Network Physical Therapy
    1 Reviews
    Physical Therapy
    Phone:
    4500 Telegraph Rd, Ste 204, St. Louis, MO 63129

    Knot Magic Muscle Therapy
    17 Reviews
    Massage Therapy, Physical Therapy
    Phone:
    8888 Ladue Rd, Ste 260, Saint Louis, MO 63124

    Therapeutic Playtime
    1 Reviews
    Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Speech Therapists
    Phone:
    3488 Jeffco Blvd, Ste 102, Arnold, MO 63010

    RPI Therapy Services
    4 Reviews
    Physical Therapy
    Phone:
    1034 S Brentwood Blvd, Ste 300, Saint Louis, MO 63117