The Final Word on Virginia's Top Physical Therapy Schools

Virginia is a state that, unlike most others, actually has quite a few different accredited physical therapy programs to choose from. There are options both for those who wish to become physical therapy assistants and for those who are interested in careers as actual physical therapists. Whichever category you fall into, know that you will be choosing from some of the top schools and programs, not just in the state, but in the nation as well, so you?ll want to take the application process as seriously as possible and to make sure you meet every possible qualification for your program of choice.

Those who are interested in becoming physical therapy assistants need only to have a high school diploma or its equivalent in order to be eligible for admission to associate?s level and bachelor?s level programs. Good grades are necessary for the more competitive programs, such as ECPI University, based in Newport News, and Jefferson College of Health Sciences in Roanoke. Less competitive schools that essentially anyone who meets the requirements can get into include Northern Virginia Community College in Springfield, Tidewater Community College in Virginia Beach, and Wytheville Community College, which is named for its locale.

If you are interested in becoming an actual, practicing physical therapist, you will have to meet quite a few more requirements. First of all, you will have to already possess or be willing to earn a bachelor?s degree. This bachelor?s degree does not have to be in or related to physical therapy, but this can help. You will also need, in addition to your undergraduate degree, to have at least a master?s degree and preferably a doctorate level degree. Keep in mind that you can?t earn a master?s degree without a bachelor?s, and you can?t earn a doctorate degree without a master?s.

That last piece of information often presents a snag for some people, because there are no accredited master?s level physical therapy programs in the state. However, this is not an issue as long as you plan on pursuing a doctorate degree and as long as that doctorate degree will come from an accredited institution. If, however, you intend for your master?s degree to be the last stage of your education, you will need to seek it elsewhere, either through an online school or an out of state school that is accredited by the American Physical Therapy Association.

If you are ready to pursue coursework at the doctorate level, then Virginia is the place to be for sure. It is home to lots of wonderful options for qualified individuals. Top choices include the prestigious (and pricy!) Hampton University, and Marymount University, in Arlington. There is also a good program at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, as well as at Shenandoah University in Winchester. Virginia? Commonwealth University is probably the most affordable of all of these options, and is based in Richmond.

Remember, it is up to you to assess where you stand academically and your career goals and to find a school to match.

Source: http://www.ptschools.com/the-final-word-on-virginia%E2%80%99s-top-physical-therapy-schools/

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