Physical Therapy Programs in Florida - FL

Once you have decided that physical therapy is the right career path for you, you will need to choose from one of the Florida physical therapy schools. Look for one that offers a pre-physical therapy program, as this will benefit you the most in terms of guidance and structure regarding classes and progression into graduate school. There are some pre-physical therapy programs that will immediately track into a graduate program at that same institution or another, thus eliminating the need to locate one on your own. If your chosen school does not offer a pre-physical therapy program, then majoring in a science such as biology, chemistry, exercise science, or kinesiology will allow you to gain the same prerequisites that are needed for admission into graduate school.

Traditionally, physical therapy graduate schools culminated in a master’s degree but now some are offering doctorate (DPT) degrees as well. This advanced professional degree is not offered as widespread as the master’s degree so if this is something you choose to do, it will be necessary to research where it is offered and plan your educational path accordingly. In order to accommodate physical therapists who hold a master’s degree and are currently practicing, some universities offer distance learning and online courses that allow these clinicians to earn the DPT degree while maintaining their positions as physical therapists.

Through campus based and online programs, aspiring Physical Therapists in Jacksonville, Miami, Tampa, St. Petersburg and Orlando, Florida may be able to prepare themselves for the possibility of employment in some of the largest hospitals and healthcare facilities in the state including Baptist Medical Center, Florida Hospital Orlando, Mount Sinai Medical Center, Jackson Memorial Hospital, and Memorial Regional Hospital.