Preparing the Next Generation of Physical Therapists

January 26, 2023

By Ruth Maher, PT, PhD, DPT, WCS

A recent U.S News & World Report named physical therapy as the third-best healthcare career in the U.S. Despite accredited Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) programs graduating over 12,000 DPT students each year, the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) estimates that more than 26,000 positions will not be filled by 2025, due to a shortage of physical therapists. With a median salary of $92,920 and a need to fill approximately thousands of openings annually, there’s never been a better time to embark on your journey to becoming a licensed Doctor of Physical Therapy.

The DPT program at PCOM Georgia prepares the next generation of clinicians to meet the growing demand for services. Physical therapists are evidence-based movement experts who use critical thinking and clinical reasoning to treat their patients/clients across the lifespan. Physical therapists use their unique skill set to examine, diagnose, treat and prevent movement dysfunction and impairments associated with chronic conditions, in addition to providing pain management. Physical therapists put quality back into life, allowing their patients/clients to live their best lives. As a physical therapist, you can practice in various healthcare settings, such as hospitals, private practice outpatient settings, sports and fitness facilities, schools, home health, the military, the entertainment industry and public health.

Did you know that your training as a physical therapist provides other career prospects beyond those of a clinician? With plenty of opportunities for career growth, you can use your physical therapy knowledge and skills to become a professor, researcher, entrepreneur, CEO, inventor or influencer.

To practice as a physical therapist, you must earn a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from a program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) and pass the National Physical Therapy Examination (NBTE), which leads to state licensure. With PCOM’s accredited DPT program and an ultimate licensure exam (NPTE) pass rate above the national average, our program can prepare you to work across various healthcare settings.

Physical therapists have high job and career satisfaction¹. They enjoy positively challenging and fulfilling careers. If you enjoy working with people and want to enjoy a challenging career that has longevity, then a career in physical therapy may be in your future.

To learn how PCOM’s Doctor of Physical Therapy can prepare you for this rewarding career, register for one of PCOM’s Doctor of Physical Therapy open houses or complete our contact form for further information.

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Reference

1. Briggs M, et al., Factors contributing to Physical Therapists’ Job and Career Satisfaction in the United States: Results from a National Survey. JOPTE. 2022; 36(3): 232-241.