Physical Therapist

Career Overview:

Physical Therapists, also known as PT, are health professionals that assist people who have been in accident or have disabling conditions such as low-back pain, arthritis, heart disease, fractions, head injuring, and cerebral palsy.
Use various techniques like modalities, electrotherapy, ultrasound and more to restore functionality, improve mobility, relieve pain, and prevent or limit permanent physical disabilities in their patients.
Physical therapist responsibilities include examination, diagnosis, and creation/implementation/adjustment of a plan of care. Patient examinations in physical therapy include, but are not limited to, testing of muscle function, strength, joint flexibility, range of motion, balance and coordination, posture, respiration, skin integrity, motor function, quality of life, and activities of daily living.
Physical therapists also determine a patient's ability to reintegrate into the workforce or community after illness or injury.

Physical Therapist Requirements:

Completed application form along with a $50, nonrefundable application fee.
Earn a Bachelor's Degree in a Health-Related Field with a minimum 2.9 GPA on a 4.0 grading scale
Completed all the prerequisite courses with a C or better.
For international students submit an official copy of TOEFL scores.
Complete and submit official GRE scores and analytical writing scores that are no less than five years old.
Three letters of recommendations on required forms from nonrelatives, with at least one from a physical therapist.
Complete and submit Physical Therapy Centralized Application Service (PTCAS) at ptcas.org which can take up to six weeks to verify.

NSU Physical Therapy Programs:

The Professional Doctor of Physical Therapy Program (DPT) located at Nova Southeastern University's Fort Lauderdale campus is a 3 year entry-level doctorate which prepares a physical therapist for clinical practice. The NSU Professional DPT is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE).

The Professional Hybrid Level DPT Program located at Nova Southeastern University's Tampa campus is a flexible program that combines online learning for flexibility and face-to-face learning for instruction and feedback on hands-on skills. The curriculum mirrors the full time P-DPT program at NSU Ft. Lauderdale except that it is completed in 4 years instead of 3. Professional Doctor of Physical Therapy Program - Tampa at Nova Southeastern University is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE).