Ronnie Said:

Question about majors in college? (Having to do w/ Physical Therapy)?

We Answered:

A PTA curriculm is very full and there is not much ability to take classes outside the major besides the gen ed classes. As a PTA, you can not open your own PT business. You need to work under a PT. If you want to open your own business, you need to be a PT.

http://www.apta.org/AM/Template.cfm?Sect…

Physical therapist assistants (PTAs) provide physical therapy services under the direction and supervision of a physical therapist. PTAs help people of all ages who have medical problems, or other health-related conditions that limit their ability to move and perform functional activities in their daily lives. PTAs work in a variety of settings including hospitals, private practices, outpatient clinics, home health, nursing homes, schools, sports facilities, and more.

PTAs must complete a 2-year associate's degree and are licensed, certified, or registered in most states. Care provided by a PTA may include teaching patients/clients exercise for mobility, strength and coordination, training for activities such as walking with crutches, canes, or walkers, massage, and the use of physical agents and electrotherapy such as ultrasound and electrical stimulation.

WHAT DO PHYSICAL THERAPIST ASSISTANTS EARN?

The median income for a physical therapist assistant is $46,000 depending on position, years of experience, degree of education, geographic location, and practice setting.

WHERE DO PHYSICAL THERAPIST ASSISTANTS WORK?

Today, physical therapist assitants provide health care services to patients of all ages and health conditions in a variety of settings, including:


Outpatient clinics or offices
Hospitals
Inpatient rehabilitation facilities
Skilled nursing, extended care, or subacute facilities
Homes
Education or research centers
Schools
Hospices
Industrial, workplace, or other occupational environments
Fitness centers and sports training facilities
WHAT ARE THE EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR BECOMING A PTA?

To work as a PTA, an individual must graduate with an associate degree (two years, usually five semesters) from an accredited PTA program at a technical or community college, college, or university. Graduates must pass the national examination for licensing/certification/regulation in most states to be eligible to work. PTAs work under the direction of a physical therapist (PT).

The PTAs' duties can include assisting in instructing patients in exercises and activities of daily living (including physical modalities), using special equipment, collecting data on the patient's progress, and documenting and reporting on the patient's response. There are currently 235 institutions supporting 252 PTA programs across the country.

WHAT ARE THE LICENSURE REQUIREMENTS FOR BECOMING A PTA?

Forty-eight states and the District of Columbia PTAs to be licensed, registered, or certified. States requiring licensure stipulate specific educational and examination criteria.

WHAT IS THE EMPLOYMENT OUTLOOK FOR PHYSICAL THERAPIST ASSISTANTS?

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment is expected to grow much faster than average because of increasing demand for physical therapy services. Job prospects for physical therapist assistants are expected to be very good. The American Physical Therapy Association's (APTA's) most recent data indicate an unemployment rate of 3.9 percent.

Ralph Said:

how long are you in college with a physical therapy major?

We Answered:

Most PT programs are now doctorate. It's typically 4 years of undergraduate work and 3 years of graduate work...although a few accelerated programs exist as well as a handful of master's degree programs which is typically 3 years taking prerequisites and 3 years in the professional program.

Kelly Said:

which colleges in california are good for their biology major? or majors dealing with physical therapy?

We Answered:

common ones include ATC, exercise science, rehab science, health science, kinesiology. Some people choose biology but there are a lot of classes like botony which are not related.

pre reqs generally include 1 year of the following with labs
gen bio
A and P
gen physics
gen chemistry
math potentiall up to calc depending on the school
psy
stats
other schools require nutrician, exercise physiology

Here the link to what the schools each require

http://www.apta.org/AM/Template.cfm?Sect…

http://www.apta.org/AM/Template.cfm?Sect…

Kimberly Said:

what is the best kinda laptop for a first year physical therapy major student?

We Answered:

I'd use a Dell Inspiron 1525, it's a great price and works great for my school work and stuff.