Here are some tips for selecting schools, based on an analysis comparing each school to all others across dozens of factors:
Schools Concentrating On Physical Therapists
- Focus: For schools with a focus on this career area, look at Alabama State and University of South Alabama.
Fastest Response From Schools
- Request Info: For the fastest information for prospective students, look at the Spotlight schools on this page.
Student Body
- Part-Time: For schools emphasizing part-time studies, consider University of South Alabama, Alabama State, and UAB.
- Diverse: For a diverse student body, consider Oakwood University and UAB.
School Setting
- Out of State: For geographic diversity, take note of Oakwood University, Alabama State, University of South Alabama, and UAB.
- Dorms: For a residential campus environment, take note of Oakwood University, Alabama State, UAB, and University of South Alabama.
Excellence
- SAT: For students with high SAT scores, look at UAB.
- % Accepted: For selective institutions, look at Alabama State and Oakwood University.
- Class Size: For small class sizes, look at UAB, Oakwood University, Alabama State, and University of South Alabama.
Working as a Physical Therapist in Alabama
Physical therapists follow prescriptions written by health care professionals to create treatment plans for patients. They combine the use of physical measures and exercises, devices and equipment, instructions and education to help patients retain or regain physical strength, flexibility and endurance. They also oversee all healthcare staff within the practice. Read a detailed Physical Therapist job description and schools overview.
Physical therapists in Alabama can enhance themselves professionally through the Alabama Chapter of the American Physical Therapy Association.
State Requirements
- New physical therapists must be graduates from an approved physical therapist program in order to be licensed. Many programs require previous experience as a volunteer in a physical therapy department of a hospital or clinic for admission.
- Physical therapists who wish to practice in Alabama must complete an application and pass an exam governed by the Alabama Board of Physical Therapy.
Major Industries
Most physical therapists work in clinics or hospitals. Other industries in Alabama include:
- Home Health Care Services
- Nursing Care Facilities
- Outpatient Care Centers
- Community Care Facilities for the Elderly
- Grant making and Giving Services
- Individual and Family Services
- Offices of Physicians
Major Employers
A few representative major employers of physical therapists in Alabama include:
- Springhill Senior Residence (Nursing Care Facility)
- Gentiva Health Services (Medical Clinic)
- University of Alabama (Medical Clinic)
- Alabama Hospital Association (Hospitals)
- Baptist Health Systems (Hospitals)
- Department of Public Health (Home Health Service)
- Alacare Home Health and Hospice (Home Health Service)
- Pain and Rehabilitation Institute (Outpatient Care Center)
Student/Alumnus Reviews of Schools for This Career and State
University Of Wisconsin-Madison • Madison, AL
Studying Physical Therapy (completion in 2009)
• 1/28/2012
"UW-Madison has prepared me well for a career in Physical Therapy and I feel very capable of providing consistent high-quality PT services as a result of the training I received from this institution. I have no regrets about attending UW."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | The University of Wisconsin DPT program is exceptional. Not only are the faculty highly skilled and have the ability to convey knowledge effectively, but the atmosphere is highly conducive to learning. |
| Program Reputation | 8 | The program is highly selective and I would say that our program has a reputation of academic excellence. Our school in general is known as a "party school," but I believe that we are equally as well known for our commitment to research and the advancement of our profession. |
| Program Quality | 10 | I believe that I graduated from an exceptional program with highly skilled professors. The coursework that was completed was comprehensive and enables me to make sound clinical judgments for a vast array of diagnoses. |
| Instruction | 9 | The doctorate program allows for an additional year of coursework to be completed which increases the amount that can be learned. Our many clinical experiences provided comprehensive hands-on learning opportunities and were a great way to transition to an entry level career as a DPT. |
| How Difficult | 7 | The DPT program at UW-Madison is certainly challenging. My classmates were incredibly intelligent and the program is highly selective, which in my opinion, allows our professors to provide us with more challenging coursework. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | I have always learned best by "doing." Numerous fieldwork and hands-on coursework opportunities are built into the curriculum. The book-oriented experiences are vital in building understanding for the hands-on experiences. A perfect balance of both aspects. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 5 | Required classes and fieldwork experiences occur each summer. Classes conclude by early afternoon and occur on average about three days a week. Optional online classes are offered. |
| Academic Facilities | 10 | As a research-based institution, we utilize state of the art technologies for research and the acquisition and sharing of knowledge. Tutors are not provided, but classmates usually engage in group study. Professors hold office hours weekly or on an as-needed basis by appointment. |
| Social Life | 10 | I will always be proud to be a Badger! Badger football, basketball, and hockey are important to the community. Parties are easy to find. A great college experience with the perfect balance of fun and hard academic work. The social experience is what you make of it. |
| Placement Services | 4 | To the best of my knowledge, UW department of PT does not provide such services. I never utilized any potential assistance from the department, and always anticipated that I would be solely responsible for finding my own employment opportunity. |
| Alumni Network | 9 | The UW Alumni Association is a nationwide organization. As a PT in Colorado, I have participated in several events that the local chapter of the UWAA has held. In my opinion, the network is extensive. |
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