Physical Therapist Schools | Get Your Physical Therapy Degree – Manchester MA

How to Select a Physical Therapist College near Manchester 01944

Manchester MA physical therapy school student with volunteerReceiving a physical therapy degree near Manchester MA is an essential first step to launching a rewarding career in the medical care field. Physical therapists (PT) help individuals who have been disabled due to illness or injury gain back function and mobility. But before they may legally practice and work with the rehabilitation of patients, they need to receive the proper education and training. A PT must additionally become licensed in every state, many mandating that the licensee hold a physical therapy degree from an accredited school. So prior to enrolling in a physical therapy school, it’s necessary to investigate the ones you are considering to make certain they will provide a quality education and satisfy your state’s licensing standards. What you do not want to do is select a school just because it happens to be the nearest to your residence or it has the most affordable tuition. There are other important qualifications that must be considered besides location and cost. But before we cover 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?

Manchester MA physical therapist helping patient walkPhysical therapists work in diverse locations, such as Manchester MA private practices, hospitals, rehabilitation centers, nursing homes and sports facilities. What the facilities all have in common is that they are equipped for the diagnosis and rehabilitation treatment of patients. As earlier touched on, physical therapists help individuals that are suffering from a lack of mobility and in many cases pain caused by illness or injury. After diagnosing a patient, they design a course of treatment to address the mobility issues and lessen or eradicate any pain. They also strive to stop any advancement of the disability. Although the causes of disability necessitating physical therapy are abundant, they include:

  • Arthritis or Osteoporosis
  • Car or motor cycle accidents
  • Head injuries.
  • Heart attacks.
  • Sports injuries.
  • Fire injuries.
  • Knee Replacement.
  • Fibromyalgia.
  • Multiple Sclerosis.

Licensed physical therapists work in close association with other Manchester MA medical professionals, including chiropractors, physicians, dentists and nurses. They may also supervise one or more physical therapy assistants who work under them in diagnosing and treating their patients. Something to keep in mind for anyone considering getting into the physical therapy profession, it is rather physically demanding. Physical therapists often lift patients and heavy equipment, and stand, crouch and kneel for long periods of time on a daily basis.

Physical Therapist Degrees Available

Manchester MA physical therapist applying acupuncture to patientThere are three physical therapy degrees available for students to pursue at the undergraduate and graduate levels. Of these alternatives, the one degree that is available to become a physical therapist is the doctorate. Undergraduate degrees concentrate on either preparing students to become a physical therapy assistant (PTA) or prepping them to progress to the doctoral level. Below are short summaries of degrees that are offered in the Manchester MA area:

  • Associate Degrees prepare students to practice as 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 GED to qualify for enrollment. The programs are typically offered by junior or community colleges, and take about 2 years for completion. An internship or other form of clinical training is typically a portion of the program.
  • Bachelor’s Degrees are designed as pre-physical therapist training to ready candidates to move up to the doctoral level. Although they are not a requirement to be a candidate for the doctoral program, they are an integral initial step to becoming a PT. As with most bachelor’s degrees, they generally require four years to finish and often include an internship program of at least 500 hours.
  • Doctorate Degrees are mandated in order to become a licensed practicing physical therapist. The degree program also must be accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE). After earning the bachelor’s degree, the doctoral takes 3 years to complete, making the overall investment of time seven years in most cases. Clinical or practical training is an essential element in addition to the extensive classroom and lab instruction. Consequently the fulfillment of an internship is mandated, not only for graduation but in some 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 offered in the United States. A number of practicing physical therapists having a master’s or even a bachelor’s degree were “grandfathered” in before the existing licensing requirement for a doctorate was implemented.

Physical Therapy Programs Online

woman attending physical therapy school online in Manchester MAWhile not as prevalent as the more traditional alternatives, there are many accredited online physical therapy degrees available, more so at the graduate level. Due to the hands-on nature of the training, internships and clinical lab work are combined with the online classes. This requires that the student live close to the school campus or in proximity of a sponsored internship. Fortunately, the online part of the curriculum may be accessed within the comfort and convenience of the student’s Manchester MA home. Online programs are not only to some extent more accessible, but in a number of instances more affordable. Tuition might be significantly lower than similar on campus alternatives, and expenditures for commuting are reduced. And a number of the online programs are accredited by the CAPTE, ensuring a quality education. These advantages can make the online alternative the ideal choice for those students that are disciplined enough to attend classes at home.

Questions to Ask Physical Therapist Programs

At this point you most likely have come to decision concerning some of your preliminary queries, like the type of physical therapist degree you want to obtain, where you want to attend classes, and how much money you can afford to spend for your education. But considering there are numerous PT schools within the Manchester MA area and throughout Massachusetts, you’ll have to look into additional qualifications as well in order to further narrow your list of school choices. Moreover, you want to be sure that you pick the program that is ideal for you. That’s why we have collected a list of critical questions that you need to ask the physical therapist colleges you are considering. Ask all of the potential colleges these questions before making a final decision.

Is the Physical Therapist College Accredited?  Ask if the programs you are reviewing have received 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 choose an online school, it can also obtain 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. Also, make sure that the accreditation is from a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting agency. Besides ensuring that you receive a quality education, accreditation might be mandated for state licensing and even for securing student loans or financial assistance.

What is the College’s Reputation? In addition to accreditation, it’s imperative that the school and program you choose have outstanding reputations within the physical therapist community. There are a number of 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 check online rating services and reviews and ask the accrediting organizations for their reviews as well. Contact a few Manchester MA physical therapy clinics or other health care facilities that you may be interested in working for and ask if they can provide any recommendations about your school selections. It might also be a good idea to contact the Massachusetts Attorney General and school licensing authority to see if any complaints have been filed against the colleges.

What is the College’s Job Placement Percentage? There are a two relevant statistics that you should know about all of the physical therapist colleges you are reviewing. One is their graduation rate. A low rate might mean that students dropped out due to displeasure with the program, the instructors, or both. Once the students have graduated, what percentage of them are being placed in jobs with the assistance of the college’s job placement program, particularly in the Manchester MA area? If a school has a high job placement rate, it suggests that its reputation within the healthcare field is good or perhaps excellent. It also affirms that the school has a broad network of contacts to assist students get internships or jobs after graduation.

Does the Program Prepare You For Licensing Requirements? It’s essential that the school you choose provides both excellent training and a curriculum that supports the licensing requirements for Massachusetts or the state where you will be working. In every state a passing score is required on the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) as well as a degree from an accredited physical therapist college. While licensing requirements differ state by state for PTA and PT graduates, many states require a minimum number of clinical hours be completed and passing scores on supplemental exams.

Are Internship Programs Offered? Find out if the physical therapy colleges you are assessing have associations with Manchester MA clinics or hospitals for internship programs. Not only are internships a great way to receive hands on experience in a clinical environment, they are additionally a requirement for the majority of PT programs and state licensing. As a secondary benefit, they may help graduates and students establish professional connections in the Manchester healthcare community and help with obtaining employment after licensing.

What Size are the Classes ? Unless you are the sort of person that likes to sit way in the rear of class or get lost in the crowd, you will likely want a smaller class size. Smaller classes permit more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the physical therapist schools you are researching 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 final decision. This will also give you a chance to speak with several of the students and instructors to get their perspectives regarding the pharmacy tech program as well.

Where is the College Located? For many students, the physical therapist school they pick will have to be within commuting distance of their Manchester MA home. Individuals who have opted to attend online classes naturally will not have to worry themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of local internships will be of importance. One thing 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 be required to pay a higher tuition. State colleges commonly charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges typically charge a higher tuition for those students that live outside of their districts.

Is Financial Help Provided? The majority of DPT colleges supply some form of financial assistance to their potential students. Ask if the schools you are reviewing have a financial assistance department and find out what type of help is offered. At a minimum they should help in securing a student loan or any scholarships you may qualify for. Some physical therapist colleges offer scholarships, while others provide work programs. So before eliminating a college because the tuition is too expensive, ask what financial assistance may be available.

Can the School Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you need to verify that the physical therapy college you finally choose can provide the class schedule you need. This is particularly important if you choose to continue working while attending classes. If you must schedule night or weekend classes in the Manchester MA area, check that they are offered. 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 need to enroll in. Also, ask what the procedure is for making up any classes that you might miss because of work, illness or family obligations.

Earning Your Physical Therapy Degree near Manchester Massachusetts?

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

Manchester-by-the-Sea, Massachusetts

Manchester-by-the-Sea (or simply Manchester) is a town on Cape Ann, in Essex County, Massachusetts, in the United States. The town is known for scenic beaches and vista points. At the 2010 census, the town population was 5,136.[1]

The community thrived primarily as a fishing community for over 200 years. Its economy shifted to that of a Boston area summer colony starting in 1845, when Richard Dana, a Boston-based poet, built a house in the town. Over the next fifty years, development of summer houses along the coastline established the community as Boston society's community of choice for summer residency. The trend continued with designs by other notable architects, such as "Sunny Waters", designed by John Hubbard Sturgis for his older brother, Russell, in 1862.

The most famous of these "summer cottages" was Kragsyde, built on Smith's Point in 1883 and demolished in 1929. Commissioned by George Nixon Black, the Peabody and Stearns-designed residence has been hailed as the zenith of the Shingle style substyle of the Queen Anne style of architecture.

Select the Ideal Physical Therapist School near Manchester MA

Selecting the best physical therapist college is an important first decision you have to make to launch a fulfilling career in the healthcare field. As we have addressed in this article, the DPT or PT degree program and school you choose should both have exceptional reputations and be accredited. However there are other critical questions that you should ask concerning your college of choice also. As you start your search for a physical therapist college, keep in mind that numerous variables will guide you toward your final decision. You may want to go to each of the schools to view their facilities and speak to active DPT students. While there, ask yourself this important question: will this program help me achieve my goal of becoming a practicing licensed physical therapist? By adhering to our list of additional questions, you will be able to narrow down the field so you can make the best selection. And with the necessary education and training, you can fulfill your dream to become a licensed physical therapist in Manchester MA.

A Few More Interesting Locations in Massachusetts

  • Physical Therapist Schools | Get Your Physical Therapy Degree – Leicester MA
  • Physical Therapist Schools | Get Your Physical Therapy Degree – Huntington MA
  • Physical Therapist Schools | Get Your Physical Therapy Degree – Stockbridge MA
  • Physical Therapist Schools | Get Your Physical Therapy Degree – Groveland MA
  • Physical Therapist Schools | Get Your Physical Therapy Degree – Conway MA
  • Physical Therapist Schools | Get Your Physical Therapy Degree – Mattapoisett MA
  • Physical Therapist Schools | Get Your Physical Therapy Degree – North Amherst MA
  • Physical Therapist Schools | Get Your Physical Therapy Degree – Whitinsville MA
  • Physical Therapist Schools | Get Your Physical Therapy Degree – Winchendon MA
  • Physical Therapist Schools | Get Your Physical Therapy Degree – Williamstown MA
  •  

     

    The location could not be found.

     

    Business Results 1 - 10 of 327

    PT for Life
    1 Reviews
    Physical Therapy
    Phone:
    13 Elm St, Manchester-by-the-Sea, MA 01944

    Harmeling Physical Therapy & Sports Fitness
    1 Reviews
    Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy
    Phone:
    255 Grapevine Rd, Wenham, MA 01984

    OrthoWell Orthopedic & Sports Physical Therapy
    15 Reviews
    Physical Therapy, Orthopedists
    Phone:
    100 Cummings Ctr, Ste 455C, Beverly, MA 01915

    Boston Sports Medicine
    9 Reviews
    Physical Therapy
    Phone:
    46 Tioga Way, Leap Fitness Health Club, Marblehead, MA 01945

    Soul Physical Therapy
    4 Reviews
    Physical Therapy, Sports Medicine, Orthopedists
    Phone:
    7 Reservoir Rd, Beverly, MA 01915

    Bay State Physical Therapy
    10 Reviews
    Physical Therapy, Massage, Chiropractors
    Phone:
    254 Essex St, Beverly, MA 01915

    HD Physical Therapy
    13 Reviews
    Physical Therapy
    Phone:
    607 North Ave, Door 16, Wakefield, MA 01880

    Cherry Street Health Group
    9 Reviews
    Chiropractors, Weight Loss Centers, Physical Therapy
    Phone:
    15 Cherry St, Danvers, MA 01923

    Iron Village Strength & Conditioning
    3 Reviews
    Trainers, Gyms, Physical Therapy
    Phone:
    128 Park St, Unit B7, Beverly, MA 01915

    MoveMore Performance Health
    9 Reviews
    Sports Medicine, Chiropractors, Trainers
    Phone:
    30 Church St, Ste 204, Salem, MA 01970