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Career Information
Physical therapists are health care professionals who diagnose and treat individuals of all ages, from newborns to the very oldest, who have health-related conditions that limit their abilities to move and perform functional activities in their daily lives.
Physical therapists develop personalized intervention plans to promote the ability to move, reduce pain, restore function, and prevent disability. In addition, physical therapists work to prevent loss of mobility before it occurs by developing fitness and wellness oriented programs for healthier and more active lifestyles.
Skills of a Physical Therapist
Physical therapists must have problem-solving skills, resourcefulness, patience, manual dexterity, physical stamina and the ability to work closely with people.
Career Opportunities
Average salaries are excellent and job opportunities are available nationwide. The department enjoys an excellent reputation in the healthcare community; within months of graduation, 100 percent of its physical therapy graduates are employed.
Career settings include:
- general hospitals and hospitals for special populations (burns, neurology, orthopedics, pediatrics, etc.)
- rehabilitation centers, hospices, extended care facilities and public health centers
- home health agencies
- public and private schools
- wellness programs and fitness centers
- high school, college and professional athletic facilities
- outpatient clinics and offices and private practice
- corporate and industrial health centers
- administration, research, education and consultant work
About the Program
The Doctor of Physical Therapy program is designed to challenge talented and ambitious learners to grow into autonomous health professionals. The curriculum combines first-rate classroom instruction and laboratory practice at our Augusta campus with extensive clinical training at sites throughout Georgia and the southeastern United States.
Our learner-centered curriculum emphasizes active learning, problem-solving skills, and evidence-based practices. Our primary goal is to prepare reflective individuals who possess the technical proficiency and problem-solving capabilities sufficient to enable the safe, efficient, and effective practice of physical therapy in a rapidly changing health care environment. Graduates are prepared to maximize wellness and minimize disability of diverse populations across a variety of health care environments including hospitals, clinics, rehabilitation centers, schools, research laboratories, and corporations.
The program requires 36 months (9 consecutive semesters) of full-time study. A new class enters in May of each year. Classes are scheduled in a traditional weekday format at the main campus in Augusta. Graduation occurs in May.
Admission Requirements
Please see the College of Allied Health Sciences website for specific admissions information:
http://www.gru.edu/alliedhealth/pt/index.php
Additional Requirements
In addition to specific academic requirements, candidates for admission to the Doctor of Physical Therapy program must have aptitude, abilities, and skills in the following five areas in order to meet the full requirements of the program’s curriculum.
- Sufficient intellectual capacity to fulfill the curricular requirements of the program.
- Ability to effect communication with patients, colleagues, instructors and other members of the healthcare community.
- Physical ability to learn and implement the various technical skills required to prepare for the independent practice of physical therapy.
- Sufficient emotional stability to withstand the stress, uncertainties and changing circumstances that characterize healthcare practice.
- Social attributes and behaviors required for full use of intellectual abilities and the development of mature, sensitive and effective therapeutic relationships with patients and clients.
Technical Standards
In addition to demonstrating personal characteristics appropriate for a health professions career, students must satisfy general and specific technical standards for this program. Please visit www.gru.edu/alliedhealth/pt/pdf/technicalstandards.pdf to review these requirements.
Estimated Tuition and Fees
For estimated tuition and fees, please see the Financial Information section of this catalog.
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