Online Degree Programs by Subjects

Get a Physical Therapy Degree Online

Students interested in healthcare for sports or physical activities can pursue a career in physical therapy. Physical therapists must be strong in academics, especially science and have good interpersonal skills with the ability to interact with others. The responsibilities of physical therapists involve improving the physical condition of the patients like the proper functioning of limbs after an injury, surgery or illness, improving mobility, and relieving pain. They also work with patients who have severe injuries or diseases like lower back pain, arthritis, cerebral palsy, to prevent physical disabilities from occurring or to limit the effects of these disabilities. Those suffering from heart diseases or other related health conditions are also recommended to use a physical therapist to treat joint pains and muscle problems.

Areas covered in an Online Physical Therapy Degree

Online courses related to physical therapy focus on science, stressing anatomy and physiology, biology, chemistry, and physics as well as mathematics and the social sciences. Towards the latter part of the degree program, the course work includes biomechanics, neuro-anatomy, human growth and development, etiology of disease, examination techniques and therapeutic procedures.

Students will get hands-on experience through internships or on-the-job training with a practicing physical therapist. An Associate degree is required to become a physical therapy assistant. However, students need to acquire a Bachelors Degree and qualify for the National Physical Therapy Examination to become a licensed physical therapist. Candidates interested in pursuing a full-time career in physical therapy need to complete a Masters degree.

From the guidelines set by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education, physical therapists need to have a Masters Degree from an accredited physical therapist educational program before practicing. All states require candidates to take a licensure exam prior to practicing.

Some of the common online physical therapy degrees are:

  • Online Physical Therapy Certificates
  • Online Physical Therapy Associate Degrees
  • Online Physical Therapy Bachelor Degrees
  • Online Physical Therapy Master Degrees