Discover Physical Therapy
We are pleased that you are considering Physical Therapy as a career. The information and links below may answer many of your questions.
Look further and discover the possibilities—"Move Forward: Physical Therapy Brings Motion to Life"is a 120 second video about physical therapy from the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA).
If you are a middle school or high school student, check out the APTA Student Resources!
Employment Outlook for Physical Therapists
The Bureau of Labor Statistics in the Occupational Outlook Handbook reports that employment of physical therapists is expected to grow faster than average for all occupations through 2010. The majority of expected employment growth for physical therapists will occur in the second half of the projection period. According to CNNMoney.com, a Physical Therapist is ranked as the #2 best job in America and #2 in job growth. Check out the links to the articles.
Specialty Practice in Physical Therapy
Many physical therapists decide to specialize in a particular area of practice, research and education. Specializations include Administration, Cardiopulmonary, Clinical Electrophysiology, Geriatrics, Hand Rehabilitation, Neurology, Oncology, Orthopedics, Pediatrics, Performing Arts, Research, Sports Physical Therapy, Women's Health. Explore these specializations further on the APTA Sections & Chapters page.
Vision for Physical Therapy 2020
In June, 2000, the APTA House of Delegates endorsed a vision for the physical therapy profession: By 2020, physical therapy will be provided by physical therapists who are doctors of physical therapy, recognized by consumers and other healthcare professionals as the practitioners of choice to whom consumers have direct access for the diagnosis of, interventions for, and prevention of impairments, functional limitations, and disabilities related to movement, function and health.
American Physical Therapy Association (APTA)
The APTA is a national organization representing physical therapists, physical therapist assistants, and students nationwide. Its goal is to foster advancements in physical therapist education, practice, and research. To demonstrate their continuing commitment to patient care, faculty in the Physical Therapy Program at the University of Michigan-Flint have achieved 100% membership in the APTA. Faculty and staff also support the APTA's position statement regarding DPT program rankings. We encourage prospective students to contact the P.T. department directly to address any questions or concerns.
“Applicants should be aware that all physical therapist professional
education programs in the US are subject to accreditation "standards
that assure quality and continuous improvement in the entry-level preparation
of physical therapists, and reflect the evolving nature of education,
research, and practice." While the Education Section of APTA recognizes that there
are proprietary organizations that rank physical therapist education
programs, the profession encourages prospective students to provide their
own comparisons through careful examination of information on program and
APTA websites, and visits to the campuses to talk with enrolled students and
program faculty.” American Physical Therapy Association, 2007.
To download your free Adobe Acrobat Reader, click the icon below:
<-->
