Want to be a Physical Therapist? Tips to Consider Before Earning Your Doctor of Physical Therapy
Do you have a strong interest in fitness, science and sports? Have you ever been helped through an injury by a skilled professional? If this sounds like you, earning your Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) might be the perfect fit for you.
We sat down with Professor Kristin Schweizer, associate director of clinical education at Sacred Heart University and member of the Connecticut Board of Examiners for Physical Therapists, to answer some frequently asked questions and explain how you can use a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree to reach your career goals.
What degree do I need to become a physical therapist?
The entry-level degree for physical therapists is a doctorate. DPT students have earned their bachelor's degrees and many have a science background. Prerequisites for SHU’s three-year, problem-based learning program include courses and labs in human anatomy and physiology, chemistry, statistics, math and psychology.
How can physical therapists make a difference?
Physical therapists are movement experts who improve the quality of life of individuals across their lifespan in a wide range of clinical settings. You will use your skills to work with patients to optimize movement, slow or stop impairments and added disabilities and promote wellness. Physical therapists can have a profound impact on people’s lives by boosting their functional independence.
What kind of careers can you get with a physical therapy degree?
After graduation and successful completion of the national licensure examination, physical therapists may choose to apply to a clinical residency program, which typically last about one year with a focus on experiential learning opportunities to accompany classroom instruction. There are also plenty of opportunities in myriad settings for those who do not pursue residency such as hospitals, home care, skilled nursing facilities, schools and private practice to name a few. Physical therapists treat a wide range of patients with orthopedic, neurological, cardiopulmonary and medically complex injuries and illnesses.
What is a typical salary with a doctorate in physical therapy?
According to the American Physical Therapy Association, the median salary for a physical therapist is $85,000. Salaries vary based on position, years of experience, degree of education, geographic location and practice setting.
What skills do you need to excel in physical therapy?
Physical therapists should demonstrate strong interpersonal communication, teamwork and collaboration, initiative and problem-solving skills in addition to a passion to optimize patient outcomes, flexibility/adaptability and willingness to advocate for self and others.
What sets SHU's DPT program apart from other programs?
SHU’s DPT classes are housed in the Center for Healthcare Education, featuring state-of-the-art simulation, occupational therapy and skills labs and a professional-grade athletic performance center. We utilize a problem-based learning curriculum that fosters active and engaged learning and develops the interpersonal skills critical for successful physical therapy practice.
Students receive hands-on, in-depth training through small group tutorial sessions – all under the expert direction of physical therapists from across southwestern Connecticut, home to Yale New Haven Health, Hartford HealthCare and other major healthcare organizations. In addition to this, students can choose an elective course in a particular practice area that will not only enhance your career but align with your particular interests. The three-year program also includes 38 weeks in full-time clinical education experiences, leading to an impressive 100% licensure pass rate. The extensive hands-on experience and problem-based learning in the program prepare students to enter the field with confidence and the skills they need to excel in the field.
Think the DPT program at Sacred Heart University might be for you?
Curious about earning your Doctor of Physical Therapy? Talk to Lea DiStasio, director of graduate admissions & recruitment, at distasiol2@sacredheart.edu or schedule a virtual appointment today!