Frequently Asked Questions
Physical Therapy Education Program

Physical therapists are health care professionals who are considered to be movement specialists. Using a variety of clinical applications, physical therapists help to restore, maintain, and promote physical function. They work in a variety of different settings including hospitals, clinics, home health providers, schools, work settings, nursing homes, and sports facilities. More detailed information about the role of a physical therapist can be found on the web site sponsored by the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA).

According to a study completed by the American Physical Therapy Association, the median salary for physical therapists in 2013 was $85,000. The median salary varies depending on the geographic region in which the therapist is working, employment setting (i.e., hospital, outpatient facility), years of experience, and sex.

The job outlook is good! The United States Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics lists physical therapist as one of the fastest growing occupations in the U.S., projecting a growth rate of 34 percent between 2014 and 2024. This means that during that period of time, an additional 71,800 jobs will be available for physical therapists. This growth will likely be the result of demand for services by aging baby boomers. Also, the number of individuals living with chronic diseases, like diabetes and obesity, is rising. Many of these chronic conditions result in loss of mobility.

The required degree to enter the field is a Doctor of Physical Therapy. You must first complete a baccalaureate degree and seek admission to a physical therapy education program that is accredited by the Commission for Accreditation of Physical Therapy Education. Most programs require three years of education after the baccalaureate. The APTA web site provides a wealth of information on the education of physical therapists.

Once you have graduated, you will have to be licensed to practice in your state of residence. This requires passing the National Physical Therapy Exam administered by the Federation of State Boards (FSBPT). Information about licensure and the examination can be found on the FSBPT web site.

The admission requirements differ with each program, so, be sure to check out the requirements for the program you would like to attend. APTA provides a directory of programs and some ideas about how to select the program that is right for you. Realize, however, that admission to a physical therapy program is highly competitive. There are far more applicants to each program than slots for new students, and the average overall GPA for accepted applicants in 2014 – 2015 was 3.57/4.00.

A physical therapy education program is under development at Georgia Campus - Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. The College has hired a Program Director, a Director of Curriculum and Instruction, and two additional faculty members. The current faculty members have more than 125 years of combined experience in physical therapy and more than 80 years of combined experience in physical therapy education. The application for candidacy for accreditation is being developed and will be submitted on December 1, 2017. If candidacy status is granted, PCOM plans to admit its first group of students to the program in June 2018. It is not too early to start planning for your future education. Information is being added to the program's web pages. Additional information is available on our admissions requirements page. You may also apply online.

If you would like more information about the plans for the physical therapy program at PCOM, please contact us at the email address or phone number listed below, or complete our online information request form:

Email: ptinfo@pcom.edu
Phone: 770-682-2305