In recent years the field of physical therapy has become one of the fastest-growing occupations in the United States. All colleges and universities are ready to prepare the next generation of physical therapists. For this reason, today, we will know the best physical therapy schools.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, it is a job field that could grow by 21% by 2030. Fortunately, there are several outstanding doctoral programs in physical therapy or DPT.
All of the top-ranked schools will provide their students with classroom work and clinical experience. While the programs can be expensive, many schools have scholarships and other available financial aid. However, this is a good investment, especially since average salaries are usually around $90,000.
What are the best physical therapy schools in the United States?
There are many different physical therapy schools to choose from, but some will undoubtedly stand out more than others for their quality. Among the ones that are most recognized are:
1. University of Delaware School of Health Sciences.
This university offers a unique hands-on experience on campus and houses two full-service physical therapy clinics. University faculty members and clinical specialists supervise the clinics, where students can put their knowledge into practice with real patients during their integrated clinical education courses.
Work with children is also available through pediatric ICE at a local children’s hospital. It is a university that has a highly respected research program, and students can participate in faculty-led research projects.
It is important to know that this university accepts the best of the best, and it should note that the most recent class had a GPA of 3.8 and average GRE scores in the 74th percentile for verbal and 63rd percentile for math.
2. University of Pittsburgh School of Health & Rehabilitation Sciences
This university has a high-quality program that can be taken in person or partially online. Programs at this university require between 50 and 60 hours of work per week, and 42 weeks of full-time clinical education, with seven consecutive terms to complete.
Hybrid students will perform some laboratory activities remotely. They must visit the campus twice per semester in this university that focuses on excellence, and if you have more career prospects, they offer a bioengineering program.
3. Washington University in St. Louis
Students at this university will go through four development phases and offer a student-centered approach to education. It provides students the opportunity to have flexible and personalized learning and mentoring and assessments to help them grow and succeed.
It is a program that lasts nearly three years, and students will develop their knowledge through case studies, classroom learning, and part-time and full-time clinical experiences. Students will also be able to take advantage of research opportunities to add to their expertise.
The program has rolling admission and accepts applications through February 1 of the year of enrollment. Students are not required to take the GRE but must have completed all prerequisites and undergraduate science and math courses.
4. Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine
One of the largest physical therapy schools in the country, it offers a two-year DPT program and has a faculty-developed approach. The program teaches students to diagnose and treat movement problems through four full-time clinical experiences.
This university enrolls between 90 and 95 DPT students each year and offers two dual degree programs. This university does not require students to submit GRE scores, although students will have to meet academic requirements and complete physical therapy observation hours.
5. University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine
It is a college where you can earn DPT degrees in less time than other programs with 2.5 years. The curriculum is focused on a general study of physical therapy, and students have the opportunity to focus on specialties during their clinical work.
Students will get their real-world experience early on. As they progress through the program, students will complete five full-time clinical experiences for 35 weeks, including clinical work in the hospital. It has a 100% graduation rate and a 100% licensing exam pass rate. Admission to this program is competitive because only 45 students are admitted annually.
6. Duke University School of Medicine
It is a university that offers its students a field-focused experience, so students can learn by practicing with real patients. Once they begin their studies, students are paired with second or third-year students through a program known as the Big Bb program.
Students spend half of the three-year program in classroom and lab work and the other half doing clinical work. This program is within walking distance of the Trent Semans Health Education Center and an anatomy lab. Students will also be able to take advantage of the global studies program, which allows for learning abroad by traveling to volunteer in a clinic.
7. Emory University Division of Physical Therapy
It is a very prestigious university with a 100% alumni employment rate over the past 11 years. Students travel from all over the country to attend this program, which begins during the month of June and lasts 35 months.
The university emphasizes research, and DPT students work with a faculty mentor to complete their senior research project. This university encourages prospective students to observe licensed physical therapists working in different specialties. You must meet several requirements and take the GRE for admission because otherwise, you will not be eligible for admission.
These have been the best physical therapy schools, in which you will find very high-quality programs to prepare you for your professional future. If you are thinking of opting for a career in the field of physical therapy, it would be best to opt for one of these universities because it will undoubtedly be a completely wise choice.