Physical Therapist Schools | Get Your Physical Therapy Degree – South Deerfield MA

How to Choose a Physical Therapist Program near South Deerfield 01373

South Deerfield MA physical therapy school student with volunteerReceiving a physical therapist degree near South Deerfield MA is an essential first step to beginning a fulfilling career in the medical care field. Physical therapists (PT) help people who have been incapacitated as a result of illness or injury gain back function and mobility. But before they may legally practice and work with the rehabilitation of patients, they must receive the proper training and education. A PT must also be licensed in every state, a large number requiring that the licensee receive a physical therapy degree from an accredited school. So before enrolling in a physical therapy school, it’s important to investigate those you are thinking about to make certain they will deliver a quality education and satisfy your state’s licensing standards. What you do not want to do is select a college just because it happens to be the nearest to your residence or it has cheapest tuition. There are other significant qualifications that need to be evaluated along with cost and location. But before we talk about what those qualifications are and what questions you should ask, we’ll address what a physical therapist does and what the educational options are.

What is a Physical Therapist?

South Deerfield MA physical therapist helping patient walkPhysical therapists practice in varying locations, including South Deerfield MA hospitals, health clinics, rehabilitation centers, nursing homes and sports facilities. What the facilities all have in common is that they are equipped for diagnosing and rehabilitating patients. As earlier mentioned, physical therapists help people that are experiencing a lack of mobility and in many cases pain due to illness or injury. After patient diagnosis, they develop a program of treatment to resolve the mobility issues and lessen or eradicate any pain. They also try to prevent any advancement of the disability. Though the causes of disability requiring physical therapy are numerous, they include:

  • Osteoporosis and Arthritis
  • Car or motor cycle accidents
  • Head injuries.
  • Cardiac arrest.
  • Sports injuries.
  • Fire injuries.
  • Knee Replacement.
  • Fibromyalgia.
  • Cerebral Palsy.

Licensed physical therapists practice in close partnerships with other South Deerfield MA health professionals, including doctors, chiropractors, dentists and nurses. They may also oversee one or more physical therapy assistants who work for them in diagnosing and treating their patients. Something to take note of for anyone thinking about getting into the physical therapy field, it is rather physically demanding. Physical therapists routinely lift heavy equipment as well as patients, and stand, crouch and kneel for long periods of time on a daily basis.

Physical Therapy Degrees Offered

South Deerfield MA physical therapist applying acupuncture to patientThere are three physical therapist degrees available for students to enroll in at the undergraduate and graduate levels. Of these options, the only 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 preparing them to advance to the doctoral level. Below are brief explanations of degrees that are available in the South Deerfield MA area:

  • Associate Degrees educate students to be physical therapy assistants, or can be the first step toward earning a more advanced degree. Candidates must have obtained a high school diploma or equivalent to be accepted for enrollment. The programs are typically provided by junior or community colleges, and take about 2 years to complete. An internship or other form of clinical training is normally part of the curriculum.
  • Bachelor’s Degrees are developed as pre-physical therapist education to prepare candidates to progress to the doctoral level. Although they are not a requirement to be a candidate for the doctoral program, they are an integral first step to practicing as a PT. Similar to most bachelor’s degrees, they typically take four years to complete and usually incorporate an internship program of at least 500 hours.
  • Doctorate Degrees are mandated in order 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 total investment of time 7 years in the majority of cases. Clinical training is an important component in addition to the substantial lab and classroom instruction. Therefor the completion of an internship is required, not just for graduation but in a number of states for licensing as well.

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

Physical Therapy Schools Online

woman attending physical therapy school online in South Deerfield MAAlthough not as prevalent as the on-campus options, there are a number of accredited online physical therapy degrees offered, even more at the graduate level. Because of the hands-on nature of the training, internships and clinical lab work 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 segment of the course of study may be accessed within the comfort and convenience of the student’s South Deerfield MA residence. Online schools are not only to some extent more accessible, but in a number of instances more affordable. Tuition might be significantly less than comparable on campus options, and expenditures for commuting are minimized. And many of the online programs are accredited by the CAPTE, guaranteeing a quality education. These benefits can make the online alternative the best choice for those students that are disciplined enough to learn at home.

What to Ask Physical Therapy Schools

By now you undoubtedly have made a decision regarding some of your initial questions, such as the type of physical therapist degree you intend to earn, where you prefer to attend classes, and how much money you can afford to invest in your education. But because there are numerous PT schools within the South Deerfield MA area and throughout Massachusetts, you’ll need to look into additional qualifications also so as to further reduce your list of college choices. Furthermore, you want to be sure that you pick the program that is right for you. That’s why we have put together a list of important questions that you must ask the physical therapy programs you are considering. Ask all of the potential schools these questions before making a final decision.

Is the Physical Therapist Program Accredited?  Find out if the programs you are looking at have earned 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 enroll in an online school, it can also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council. It’s essential that both the physical therapy program and school you select are accredited, not simply the school. Also, make sure that the accreditation is from a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting agency. Besides ensuring that you obtain an excellent education, accreditation might be mandated for state licensing and even for getting student loans or financial assistance.

What is the College’s Standing? In addition to accreditation, it’s imperative that the college and program you choose have excellent reputations within the physical therapy profession. 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 reviews and rating services and ask the accrediting organizations for their reviews also. Call some South Deerfield MA physical therapy centers or other healthcare facilities that you may be interested in working for and ask if they can provide any advice about your college selections. It might also be a good idea to check with the Massachusetts Attorney General and school licensing authority to find out if any complaints have been submitted against the schools.

What is the School’s Job Placement Rate? There are a couple of significant statistics that you should know about each of the physical therapy programs you are looking at. One is their graduation rate. A low rate might suggest 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 support of the school’s job placement program, particularly in the South Deerfield MA area? If a college has a high job placement rate, it’s an indication that its reputation within the healthcare field is good or even exceptional. It also affirms that the school has a wide network of contacts to help students get internships or jobs upon graduation.

Does the College Support Licensing Requirements? It’s important that the college you choose furnishes both excellent training and a curriculum that satisfies the licensing requirements for Massachusetts or the state where you will be working. In each state a passing score is required on the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) along with 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 amount of clinical hours be performed as well as passing scores on supplemental tests.

Are Internships Sponsored? Find out if the physical therapy colleges you are evaluating have relationships with South Deerfield MA hospitals or clinics for internship programs. Internships are not only an excellent way to obtain practical training in a clinical setting, they are additionally a requirement for most PT programs and state licensing. As an ancillary benefit, they may assist students and graduates establish professional connections in the South Deerfield healthcare community and help with obtaining employment after licensing.

How Large are the Classes ? Unless you are the kind of student that likes to sit way in the back of the classroom or hide in the crowd, you will undoubtedly prefer a smaller class size. Small classes enable 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 ultimate decision. This will also give you an opportunity to converse with some of the instructors and students to get their perspectives regarding the pharmacist tech program as well.

Where is the Program Located? For a lot of students, the physical therapist school they select will need to be within commuting distance of their South Deerfield MA 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 importance. Something to consider is that if you choose 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 typically 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 Offered? The majority of DPT schools supply some form of financial support to their prospective students. Inquire if the colleges you are examining have a financial assistance department and see what kind of aid is available. They at least should help in acquiring a student loan or any grants you might qualify for. A number of physical therapy colleges offer scholarships, while others provide work programs. So before you eliminate a college because the tuition is too expensive, find out what financial assistance may be available.

Can the School Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you need to confirm that the physical therapist program you ultimately select can furnish 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 South Deerfield MA area, make certain that they are offered. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, check if that is an option and how many credit hours or courses you would need to enroll in. Also, find out what the protocol is for making up any classes that you might miss because of work, illness or family obligations.

Earning Your Physical Therapy Degree near South Deerfield Massachusetts?

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

South Deerfield, Massachusetts

South Deerfield is a census-designated place (CDP) in Deerfield, Franklin County, Massachusetts, United States. It is home to the well-known Yankee Candle Company. At the 2010 census, the population of South Deerfield was 1,880.[1]

The area was once home to the Pocumtuck tribe, who were driven away by settlers relocated in 1673 from Dedham. In retaliation, on September 18, 1675, the Indians attacked and killed Captain Thomas Lathrop and a small force in the Battle of Bloody Brook before being routed by reinforcements. Thereafter called Bloody Brook or Muddy Brook, South Deerfield in 1809 attempted to be set off from Deerfield in part because of the distance to its meetinghouse and in part because of religious differences with its minister, the Reverend Samuel Willard. The grant was refused, and the village remained part of Deerfield, but South Deerfield nevertheless dedicated its own meetinghouse in 1821. Situated beside the Connecticut River, it developed as a small farming community.

There are a variety of retail and service establishments in South Deerfield, including a hardware store, a family restaurant, the Polish American Citizens Club, and a small brewery called Berkshire Brewing Company (BBC). The town's Tilton Library and Frontier Regional High School are also in South Deerfield.

Choose the Right Physical Therapy Training Program near South Deerfield MA

Choosing the ideal physical therapy college is an important first decision you must make to launch a rewarding career in the health care field. As we have discussed in this article, the DPT or PT degree program and college you choose should both have outstanding 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 therapy college, keep in mind that a number of factors will guide you to your ultimate decision. You might want to visit each of the schools to see their facilities and talk 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 following our list of supplemental questions, you will have the ability to narrow down the field so you can make the appropriate choice. And with the necessary education and training, you can accomplish your dream to become a licensed physical therapist in South Deerfield MA.

A Few More Interesting Locations in Massachusetts

  • Physical Therapist Schools | Get Your Physical Therapy Degree – North Billerica MA
  • Physical Therapist Schools | Get Your Physical Therapy Degree – Whitinsville MA
  • Physical Therapist Schools | Get Your Physical Therapy Degree – Shelburne Falls MA
  • Physical Therapist Schools | Get Your Physical Therapy Degree – West Newbury MA
  • Physical Therapist Schools | Get Your Physical Therapy Degree – Middleboro MA
  • Physical Therapist Schools | Get Your Physical Therapy Degree – North Attleboro MA
  • Physical Therapist Schools | Get Your Physical Therapy Degree – Sagamore Beach MA
  • Physical Therapist Schools | Get Your Physical Therapy Degree – Dover MA
  • Physical Therapist Schools | Get Your Physical Therapy Degree – Dracut MA
  • Physical Therapist Schools | Get Your Physical Therapy Degree – Hanson MA
  •  

     

    The location could not be found.

     

    Business Results 1 - 10 of 28

    Studio Helix Physical Therapy & Fitness
    4 Reviews
    Trainers, Physical Therapy
    Phone:
    150 Main St, Ste 4, Northampton, MA 01060

    Aegis Chiropractic and Physical Therapy
    1 Reviews
    Chiropractors, Physical Therapy, Podiatrists
    Phone:
    241 Russell St, Hadley, MA 01035

    Fritha Pengelly - Feldenkrais Collective
    2 Reviews
    Physical Therapy
    Phone:
    150 Main St, Fl 3, Studio Helix, Northampton, MA 01060

    Swig Miller
    9 Reviews
    Physical Therapy, Massage Therapy
    Phone:
    Florence, MA 01062

    Restore Physical Therapy
    1 Reviews
    Physical Therapy
    Phone:
    220 Russel St, Ste 400, Hadley, MA 01035

    Somatic Systems Institute
    3 Reviews
    Physical Therapy
    Phone:
    32 Masonic St, Northampton, MA 01060

    Northampton Physical Therapy Clinic
    2 Reviews
    Physical Therapy
    Phone:
    17 New South St, Ste 102, Northampton, MA 01060

    Valley Medical Group PC
    1 Reviews
    Physical Therapy, Optometrists, Acupuncture
    Phone:
    329 Conway St, Ste 1, Greenfield, MA 01301

    Synergy Physical Therapy
    1 Reviews
    Physical Therapy
    Phone:
    39 Carlon Dr, Northampton, MA 01060

    Berk Chiropractic and Sports Care
    3 Reviews
    Chiropractors, Sports Medicine
    Phone:
    234 Russell St, Fl 2, Hadley, MA 01035