Physical therapy has become the most sought-after method of treating issues related to the mobility and movement of the patient. This is because it helps to resolve this health issue without having to undergo surgery.
A therapist who is an expert helps restore movement and has proven to be effective, especially in cases of chronic disease. If you want to major in physical therapy, then one of these universities is where you should be.
Hi Scholar, the team at Vast learners have done extensive research on the best schools of Physical therapy in the USA and in this article, the focus will be on Florida, we will be explaining the best schools of physical therapy in Florida and how you can get in.
Florida is one of the most beautiful states in the united state with a total area of 170,312km2. It has a population of 21 million people and is located at the southeastern tip of the country. It has long beaches and is a perfect location for vacation and retirement life. It is also known as the sunshine state.
Physical therapists render care to people of different ages. They work with a professional care team to help individuals with mobility challenges resulting from chronic illness. The physical therapist helps to examine, prevent, evaluate and treat injuries and fractures until independence is restored. This is an important health profession, and the need for their services increases daily.
In Florida, physical therapists treat patients without a physician’s prescription. They have a comprehensive understanding of the human body as their scope of the study is no more limited to just exercises and mobility.
To become a physical therapist, you have to obtain a doctorate from accredited schools that take physical therapist as a program. There are a few of these schools in Florida. Choosing the best for you and suits your personality is what we are about to help you do.
In this article, I have detailed out the best schools of physical therapy in Florida. These schools were picked while considering tuition fees, acceptance rate, academic activities, facilities, etc. When you finish reading this article, you will be able to make a perfect pick of the best school of physical therapy in Florida that you can enrol in.
What is physical therapy?
Physical therapy, otherwise known as physiotherapy, is a health care method that helps patients move and function and ease their pain through physical examination, diagnosis, and physical intervention.
To become a professional and practising physical therapist, you must enrol in an accredited physical therapy school to obtain your doctor of physical therapy degree(DPT). This is the first step in your career as a physical therapist.
Best School of Physical Therapy in Florida
Below is the list of the best school of physical therapy in the united states of America.
1. University of Florida
The University of Florida is a public land grant research university that is located in Gainesville, Florida. It was established in 1853 and has since been one of Florida’s oldest and most outstanding universities. The University of Florida physical therapy school prepares students to become experienced caregivers who understand the patient’s needs. They have experienced graduates in their field and are working in hospitals, clinics, and schools.
The university is known for high research activities and has received up to $11.3 million in grants. Professors, tutors, and students are allowed to research to find solutions to health-related problems. Such problems include seeking a cure for a human illness. They also use their research facilities to provide students with the much-needed experience to become a professional physical therapist.
Yearly, the university admits up to 70 students into the physiotherapy program. The faculty-to-class ratio is quite very small. It allows for interactive classes and discussion sessions between the tutor and the students. This allows the student to learn through contributive ideas from other students.
2. University of Miami
Next on our list of the best school of physical therapy is the university of miami.
Situated in coral gables, Florida, is the University of Miami, a private research university with over 18,000 students enrolled in 12 colleges. The university has one of the best schools of journalism in the united states of America.
The school of physical therapy has the vision to transform society through body improvement and optimization experience. The department offers three programs: the doctor of physical therapy, the Doctor of Philosophy in Physical Therapy, and two clinical residency programs.
The Doctor of Physical Therapy program is an accredited program ranked in the top 10 physical therapy programs in the U.S. News and World report. Many graduates of this school have become professional physical therapists who provide care to patients through their vast knowledge of physical therapy.
The Ph.D. program was designed to prepare students for an academic role in universities at the physical therapy department. It provides them with in-depth and wide knowledge in a specific area of physical therapy. Graduates of this program have become top researchers in the academic and research field.
3. University of South Florida
The University of South Florida is a public research university that is located in Tampa, Florida. It was established in 1956 and is the first state university to offer a program in physical therapy.
The university has an innovative and collaborative school of physical therapy that transforms the health sector through research, innovation, clinical practice, leadership, and effective administration.
It offers a program for the award of doctors in physical therapy, which will take four years to complete the coursework. The physical therapy school has a curriculum that incorporates intensive classroom education with clinical practice at hospitals and clinics where students can have hands-on experience in the act of physiotherapy.
The university also has world-class simulation centers where students go to practice physiotherapy. Every September, students are allowed to participate in the university orthopedic residency. This advanced clinical opportunity allows the student to gain practical, real-life experience in orthopedic physical therapy.
4. University of Central Florida
The university is a public research university that is located in orange county, Florida. It is one of the largest universities in Florida.
Its school of physical therapy ranks as one of the best in the state. The university of central Florida school of therapy is located inside the university of central Florida student health center. The school curriculum emphasizes practicing specialized physical therapy while learning the theoretical coursework.
The program is a three-year program consisting of nine semesters. It prepares students to become professional physical therapists who are practicing in a clinical setting. This program involves intense research activities that are part of the coursework to award a doctor in physical therapy.
Physical therapy students are taught by well-experienced tutors who are professionals. They can also go for internships at hospitals and health centers to experience professional physiotherapy and learn from experienced health personnel.
5. Nova Southeastern University
The southeastern nova university is a private research university that is located in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. It has 18 colleges and 150 programs, of which physical therapy is one of them.
The university has a high-standard physical therapy program, and they offer both an entry-level Doctor of Physical Therapy Program and a postgraduate program on physical therapy.
At the southeastern nova university, students are allowed to engage in activities that enable them to learn more about physiotherapy. They are allowed to gain experience in the field by serving internships at recognized hospitals and clinics.
The university offers a residency program for students who intend to train in additional areas of physical therapy. Its alumni are well experienced with some of the top leading organizations that major in physiotherapy.
Students training at the southeastern nova university understands their importance to patients. They help to restore patient’s independence and reduce their pain. This is irreplaceable, and only the best and most determined can do this.
6. Florida Gulf Coast University
The Florida gulf coast university was established in 1991 as a public university in Fort Myers, Florida. Since then, it has become one of the most sought-after universities for physical therapy programs. It is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges.
The physical therapy school has well-equipped laboratories where students learn the science behind physiotherapy and better understand the skills and techniques required to help the patient. The university has different instructional materials, including access to well-equipped libraries where students can research past works and gain more theoretical knowledge about physiotherapy. The university also allows students to go for practical internships in clinics. This is to give them real-life experience in the professional practice of physical therapy
7. University of North Florida
Located in Jacksonville, Florida, is the university of north Florida, a public university that has been accredited by the commission on colleges of the southern association of colleges and schools.
The university admits about 30 students yearly into the program. This is done to reduce the student-to-teacher ratio and allow for maximum attention on each student. A small population ensures efficient allocation of resources.
Physical therapy students are given intensive theoretical and practical training that helps them become the best in their field. The university has well-equipped laboratories for research works which help to increase the student’s knowledge of physiotherapy.
8. Florida International University
This school was established in 1965 as a public research university. It has one of the best schools of physical therapy in Florida. The university is listed among the top 50 universities in the united states by the U.S. News and reports statistics.
Florida international university offers a full-time undergraduate program for the award of doctors in physical therapy. The university has a curriculum that combines academic classroom activities and clinical experience to give students the best discipline knowledge.
data-preserver-spaces=”true”>Universities with high research activity have well-equipped libraries and laboratories where students conduct high-end research while supervised. This contributes to knowledge in the field of physical therapy.
9. The University of St Augustine for Health Sciences
The university of st Augustine is a school that focuses on health sciences. It is located in St Augustine, Florida, and is one of the best physical therapy degrees.
The university offers an undergraduate program on physical therapy that lasts for 3 to 4 years. The program offers the degree of a doctor in physical therapy.
With state-of-the-art equipment and well-experienced tutors, the students are taught all the basics, techniques, and skills required to be a professional physiotherapist.
Students are allowed to participate in three clinical practices. This lasts for 6 to 12 weeks, and the students gain practical experience in patient care and management skill.
10. Florida A and M University
Fully known as Florida agricultural and mechanical university, this school is a public institute located in Tallahassee. It is known for its immense contribution to research, and it is historically a black university.
The university offers a program in physical therapy and has made it to our list of the best physical therapy school in the U.S.
The program is an undergraduate degree program for the award of doctor of physical therapy. It is a full-time program that extends up to 3 years and includes an 8-month clinical experience. Students are prepared to face real-life situations through this clinical practice.
Conclusion: Best school of physical therapy
Physical therapy has become the most sought-after method of treating issues related to the mobility and movement of the patient. This is because it helps to resolve this health issue without having to undergo surgery.
A therapist who is an expert helps restore movement and has proven to be effective, especially in cases of chronic disease. If you want to major in physical therapy, we hope this list on the best school of physical therapy will be of help
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