What is a Physical Therapist?
Physical therapists provide diagnoses and interventions for individuals with movement dysfunctions resulting from injury, disease, inherited disorders, or the natural aging process. The evidence based interventions prescribed by a therapist have a strong foundation in the basic and behavior sciences with a focus of assisting a patient or client in achieving preventive and rehabilitative goals. This profession presents many exciting challenges and opportunities across a vast array of clinical settings and a lifetime of satisfaction in helping individuals function more effectively.
What career opportunities are available in Physical Therapy?
The importance of physical therapy in the areas of service, research, and education assures employment opportunities in all parts of the country and world. Physical therapists work in a variety of clinical settings, including hospitals, rehabilitation centers, pediatric and geriatric treatment centers, extended care facilities, sports treatment centers, home health care, community agencies, all levels of public and private schools, research labs and institutions, out-patient practices, corporate health facilities, and voluntary healthy agencies. The experienced physical therapist may assume responsibilities in administration of a department, supervision of other physical therapists, academic or clinical instruction, and clinical or laboratory research. There are also opportunities for self-employed practice.
What programs of study does Temple offer in Physical Therapy (PT)?
The Department of Physical Therapy at Temple University offers a total of 3 different programs. The entry-level Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program is a 3-year, full-time, program designed to train individuals interested in initially becoming a physical therapist. The DPT program consists of 130 credits of professional graduate training (including 40 weeks of full time clinical training) and is fully accredited by the Commission on Education in Physical Therapy Education. Applicants who are admitted to Temple’s DPT program typically have completed a bachelor’s degree in any field of personal interest, strong cumulative grade point average (GPA), strong GPA in the prerequisite courses, strong GRE scores, exposure to the physical therapy profession, and good personal references. Applicants are asked to write an essay on their perspective of physical therapy and to complete group interviews.
Additional programs include the Transition DPT (tDPT) - a distance-based program for practicing clinician designed to supplement their entry-level education and the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) – an academic program for physical therapists or other individuals interested in heath care and a desire to become a teacher and researcher.
What is studied in the Physical Therapy DPT program?
As a health professional discipline, physical therapy demands strong skills in critical thinking, writing, and the behavioral and biological sciences. The course work includes:
• Foundation sciences, including Anatomy, Physiology and Movement Science
• Behavioral Sciences, including Interpersonal Skills, Ethics, and Teaching/Learning.
• Clinical Sciences, including management of disorders of the cardiopulmonary, neurological and musculoskeletal systems.
• Critical Inquiry culminating in an evidence-based project.
• Clinical Practice in a variety of settings.
What prerequisites for Temple’s DPT program should undergraduates take in conjunction with completing courses in their major?
Applicants are required to complete the following prerequisites:
• Biology with lab
• Chemistry I with lab
• Chemistry II with lab
• Human or Mammalian Anatomy with lab
• Human or Mammalian Physiology with lab
• Physics I with lab
• Physics II with lab
• Statistics (check with PT department for specific details)
• Behavioral Science courses with individual (Psychology) and group (Sociology) perspectives
Though Physical Therapy is a deeply rewarding career, it is a highly competitive program. Interested candidates are encouraged to complete an undergraduate program that prepares them for many options.
Which Temple campuses offer the DPT program?
Students may complete their undergraduate degree in any of Temple University’s baccalaureate programs. Students are also admitted from any accredited college in the United States and from approved programs around the world. The DPT graduate program must be completed at the College of Health Professions (CHP) at Temple University’s Health Sciences Center. This exciting center encompasses Temple’s Medical, Dental and Pharmacy Schools, as well as the University’s world renowned Hospital system. The CHP offers PT students an excellent opportunity for cross-disciplinary learning in a comprehensive health-care environment.
Further information
More information on all three or these programs and the Department’s faculty is available at the Department’s website: Physical Therapy
