Physical Therapist Schools | Get Your Physical Therapy Degree – Schererville IN

How to Enroll In a Physical Therapist School near Schererville 46375

Schererville IN physical therapy school student with volunteerGetting a physical therapy degree near Schererville IN is a critical first step to beginning a rewarding career in the health care field. Physical therapists (PT) help patients who have been debilitated as a result of injury or illness gain back function and mobility. But before they can practice and provide treatment for the rehabilitation of patients, they need to receive the necessary training and education. A PT must additionally be licensed in all states, a large number mandating that the licensee receive a physical therapy degree from an accredited school. So before selecting a physical therapy school, it’s essential to investigate the ones you are looking at to make sure they will supply a superior education and comply with your state’s licensing requirements. What you do not want to do is enroll in a school just because it happens to be the closest to your home or it has the lowest tuition. There are other important qualifications that must be considered in addition to location and cost. But before we talk about what those qualifications are and what questions you should ask, we’ll cover what a physical therapist does and the options for education.

What Does a Physical Therapist Do?

Schererville IN physical therapist helping patient walkPhysical therapists practice in diverse locations, such as Schererville IN hospitals, health clinics, 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 previously touched on, physical therapists help individuals that are suffering from a lack of mobility and often pain caused by illness or injury. After diagnosing a patient, they develop a program of treatment to address the mobility problems and reduce or eliminate any pain. They also strive to prevent any progression of the disability. Although the causes of disability requiring physical therapy are abundant, they include:

  • Osteoporosis and Arthritis
  • Motor vehicle accidents
  • Head injuries.
  • Cardiac arrest.
  • Sports injuries.
  • Burn injuries.
  • Knee Replacement.
  • Fibromyalgia.
  • Multiple Sclerosis.

Licensed physical therapists practice in close affiliation with other Schererville IN health professionals, including chiropractors, physicians, dentists and nurses. They may also oversee several physical therapy assistants who work for them in the diagnosis and treatment of their patients. Something to bear in mind for anyone thinking about getting into the physical therapy profession, it is rather 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 Therapist Degrees Offered

Schererville IN physical therapist applying acupuncture to patientThere are 3 physical therapy degree options available for individuals to enroll in at the graduate and undergraduate levels. Of these alternatives, the single degree that is attainable to practice as a physical therapist is the doctorate. Undergraduate degrees focus on either training students to become a physical therapy assistant (PTA) or readying them to progress to the doctoral level. Below are brief descriptions of degrees that are offered in the Schererville IN area:

  • Associate Degrees train students to become physical therapy assistants, or may be the first step toward earning a more advanced degree. Candidates must have earned a high school diploma or GED to be accepted for enrollment. The programs are most often made available by junior or community colleges, and require 2 years for completion. Clinical training, which may be in the form of an internship is usually a portion of the curriculum.
  • Bachelor’s Degrees are created as pre-physical therapy training to ready students to move up to the doctoral level. Although they are not required to be a candidate for the doctoral program, they are an essential first step to practicing as a PT. Similar to the majority of bachelor’s degrees, they normally take four years to complete and often incorporate an internship program of a minimum of 500 hours.
  • Doctorate Degrees are mandated if you want to become a licensed practicing 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 lab and classroom instruction. Consequently the completion of an internship is required, not solely for graduation but in a number of 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 offered in the United States. A number of practicing physical therapists having a master’s or in some cases a bachelor’s degree were “grandfathered” in before the current licensing mandate for a doctorate was instituted.

Physical Therapy Degrees Online

woman attending physical therapy school online in Schererville INAlthough not as common as the on-campus options, there are a number of accredited online physical therapist programs offered, more so at the graduate level. Because of the hands-on nature of the training, clinical lab work and internships are integrated with the online classes. This requires that the student live close to the school campus or in proximity of an available internship. However, the online segment of the program can be accessed within the convenience and comfort of the student’s Schererville IN home. Online schools are not only to some extent more accessible, but in a number of cases more economical. Tuition might be somewhat lower than comparable on campus options, and expenditures for commuting are minimized. And many of the online schools are accredited by the CAPTE, ensuring a quality education. These advantages may make the online option the ideal choice for those students that are motivated enough to attend classes at home.

Topics to Ask Physical Therapist Programs

At this point you undoubtedly have made a decision regarding some of your preliminary queries, such as the type of physical therapist degree you intend to attain, where you want to attend classes, and how much you can afford to invest in your education. But since there are numerous PT schools within the Schererville IN area and across Indiana, you’ll need to research other qualifications as well in order to further reduce your list of college options. Also, you need to make certain that you enroll in the program that is right for you. That’s the reason we have put together a list of important questions that you must ask the physical therapy colleges you are thinking about. Ask each of the potential schools these questions prior to making an ultimate decision.

Is the Physical Therapy College Accredited?  Find out if the colleges you are looking at have earned accreditation from a national or a regional organization. As previously mentioned, if you are pursuing a doctorate 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 obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council. It’s important that both the physical therapist school and program you choose are accredited, not simply the school. Also, make sure that the accreditation is from a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting agency. Besides guaranteeing that you obtain an excellent 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 imperative that the school and program you select have outstanding reputations within the physical therapist community. There are a number of ways you can investigate a PT college’s reputation, beginning with asking for references from employers that they place their graduates with. You may also check online reviews and rating services and ask the accrediting agencies for their reviews also. Contact several Schererville IN physical therapist clinics or other healthcare facilities that you might have an interest in working for and ask if they can give you any recommendations about your college selections. It may also be a good idea to contact the Indiana Attorney General and school licensing authority to see if any complaints have been filed against the colleges.

What is the School’s Job Placement Percentage? There are a couple of useful statistics that you need to find out about each of the physical therapist programs you are looking at. One is their graduation rate. A low rate may mean that students dropped out because of displeasure with the program, the teachers, or both. After the students have graduated, what percentage of them are being hired with the assistance of the college’s job placement program, particularly in the Schererville IN area? If a school has a higher job placement rate, it’s an indication that its reputation within the health care community is good or perhaps exceptional. It also affirms that the school has a broad network of contacts to assist students gain internships or employment upon graduation.

Does the School Support Licensing Requirements? It’s essential that the school you choose provides both superior training and a course of study that satisfies the licensing requirements for Indiana or the state where you will be practicing. In each state a passing score is required on the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) as well as a degree from an accredited physical therapy school. Although licensing requirements vary state by state for PT and PTA graduates, a number of states require a minimum number of clinical hours be performed as well as passing scores on supplemental tests.

Are Internships Provided? Ask if the physical therapy schools you are assessing have associations with Schererville IN clinics or hospitals for internship programs. Not only are internships a great means to obtain hands on experience in a clinical environment, they are also a requirement for the majority of PT programs and state licensing. As a secondary benefit, they may assist students and graduates develop professional connections in the Schererville health care community and assist with obtaining employment after licensing.

How Big are the Classes ? Unless you are the sort of student that likes to sit far in the back of class or hide in the crowd, you will probably prefer a small class size. Smaller classes allow for more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the physical therapist schools you are looking at what the average student to teacher ratio is for their classrooms. If practical you may prefer to sit in on one or more classes before making your ultimate decision. This will also give you a chance to speak with several of the students and instructors to get their opinions regarding the pharmacist technician program also.

Where is the Program Located? For a lot of students, the physical therapist college they select will need to be within driving distance of their Schererville IN residence. Students who have decided to attend classes online naturally will not have to trouble themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of area 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 perhaps out of your local area, you may need to pay a higher tuition. State colleges often 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 Support Provided? Most DPT schools supply some type of financial aid to their prospective students. Ask if the colleges you are looking at have a financial assistance department and see what kind of help is offered. They at least should help in acquiring a student loan or any scholarships you might be eligible for. A number of physical therapist schools offer scholarships, while others provide work programs. So before you eliminate a school because the tuition is too expensive, learn what financial aid might be available.

Can the Program Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you need to confirm that the physical therapy college you ultimately select can offer the class schedule you need. This is especially crucial if you choose to continue working while you attend classes. If you need to schedule evening or weekend classes in the Schererville IN area, make certain that they are available. If you can only attend part-time, check if that is an option and how many courses or credit hours you would have to carry. Also, learn what the procedure is for making up any classes that you might miss as a result of illness, work or family emergencies.

Earning Your Physical Therapy Degree near Schererville Indiana?

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

Schererville, Indiana

Long before Indiana became a state, long before the founding of Schererville, people called the area the "Crossroads," as several Native American trails intersected here, that later became routes for the wagons of settlers traveling west.

One of those settlers was Nicholas Scherer, born in 1830 at Dilsburg, today part of Heusweiler district, Saarland, southwest Germany, who arrived in the U.S. in 1846. When he came to this place at the southern tip of Lake Michigan in 1865, he founded the community that bears his name.[8]

Today, trails still cross at Schererville, the modern trails of a motorized society, U.S. Highways 41 and 30. Nearby are newer trails, I-80/94 and I-65. All these are primary transcontinental routes and gives Schererville its slogan: "Crossroads of the Nation."

Enroll in the Right Physical Therapist Degree Program near Schererville IN

Choosing the best physical therapist school is an important initial decision you have to make to start a fulfilling career in the healthcare profession. As we have covered in this article, the DPT or PT degree program and school you decide on should both have excellent reputations and be accredited. However there are other relevant questions that you need to ask regarding your college of choice also. As you start your search for a physical therapy school, bear in mind that numerous factors will guide you to your final decision. You might want to go to different colleges to view their facilities and speak to active DPT students. While there, ask yourself this critical question: will this school help me achieve my goal of becoming a practicing licensed physical therapist? By adhering to our list of supplemental questions, you will have the ability to narrow down the options so you can make the best selection. And with the proper education and training, you can fulfill your dream to become a practicing physical therapist in Schererville IN.

A Few More Interesting Locations in Indiana

  • Physical Therapist Schools | Get Your Physical Therapy Degree – Martinsville IN
  • Physical Therapist Schools | Get Your Physical Therapy Degree – Chesterton IN
  • Physical Therapist Schools | Get Your Physical Therapy Degree – Celestine IN
  • Physical Therapist Schools | Get Your Physical Therapy Degree – Goodland IN
  • Physical Therapist Schools | Get Your Physical Therapy Degree – Dyer IN
  • Physical Therapist Schools | Get Your Physical Therapy Degree – Gaston IN
  • Physical Therapist Schools | Get Your Physical Therapy Degree – Avon IN
  • Physical Therapist Schools | Get Your Physical Therapy Degree – Kentland IN
  • Physical Therapist Schools | Get Your Physical Therapy Degree – Franklin IN
  • Physical Therapist Schools | Get Your Physical Therapy Degree – Lake Station IN
  •  

     

    The location could not be found.

     

    Business Results 1 - 10 of 212

    Athletico Physical Therapy - Schererville West
    2 Reviews
    Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, Sports Medicine
    Phone:
    1505 US Hwy 41, Schererville, IN 46375

    Spine Institute of Schererville
    10 Reviews
    Chiropractors, Physical Therapy, Massage Therapy
    Phone:
    833 W US Hwy 30, Ste 310 E, Schererville, IN 46375

    Lansing Chiropractic Clinic & Wellness Medical Center
    9 Reviews
    Acupuncture, Chiropractors, Physical Therapy
    Phone:
    18037 Torrence Ave, Lansing, IL 60438

    Athletico Physical Therapy - Highland
    1 Reviews
    Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, Rehabilitation Center
    Phone:
    21 US Hwy 41 Schererville, Schererville, IN 46375

    Community Hospital Fitness Pointe
    14 Reviews
    Gyms, Trainers, Physical Therapy
    Phone:
    9950 Calumet Ave, Community Healthcare System, Munster, IN 46321

    TriCore Physical Therapy
    1 Reviews
    Physical Therapy
    Phone:
    8233 Wicker Ave, St. John, IN 46373

    Munster Orthopaedic Institute
    2 Reviews
    Physical Therapy, Orthopedists, Podiatrists
    Phone:
    9132 Columbia Ave, Munster, IN 46321

    Orthopaedic Specialists of Northwest Indiana
    1 Reviews
    Orthopedists, Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy
    Phone:
    730 45th Ave, Munster, IN 46321

    Franciscan Health Fitness Centers
    17 Reviews
    Gyms, Trainers, Physical Therapy
    Phone:
    221 US Hwy 41, Ste A, Schererville, IN 46375

    Max Healthcare Physical Therapy
    3 Reviews
    Physical Therapy, Trainers
    Phone:
    1000 Eagle Ridge Dr, Schererville, IN 46375