Physical Therapy at John Carroll University

The work of physical therapy is concerned with evaluating a patient’s join motion, muscle strength and endurance, functional ability, muscle tone and reflexes, appearance and stability of walking, need and use of braces and artificial limbs, function of the heart and lungs, integrity of sensation and perception, performance of activities required in daily living and developmental activities. Physical therapy techniques include therapeutic exercises, joint mobilization and range-of-motion exercises, cardiovascular endurance training, relaxation exercise, therapeutic message, biofeedback, activities of daily living training, pulmonary physical therapy and ambulation training. (American Physical Therapy Association, A Future in Physical Therapy, p. 6)

While there has been a significant increase in interest in Physical Therapy as a career, there is still a shortage of professionals in this field. With increases in the elderly population, greater emphasis toward rapid ambulation of patients following surgery and other major medical procedures, the rise in obesity and increases efforts to combat it through physical activity, which often leads t injury, the demand for physical therapy treatment can be expect to increase.  Although a large number of physical therapists work in hospitals, now more than 70% of them can be found in private physical therapy offices, community health centers, corporate or industrial health centers, sports facilities, research institutions, rehabilitation centers, nursing homes, home health agencies, schools, pediatric centers, and colleges and universities.

Three educational programs currently exist:

1. Associate Degree Programs are 2 years in length. This preparation is for the Physical Therapy Assistant.  Physical Therapy Assistant Programs are generally offered at community colleges.

2. Master Degree Programs are 2 years in length. This is the professional entry level degree. As a result a bachelors degree is required for entry into physical therapy programs. Any undergraduate major is acceptable for the entry level masters program, although biology is preferred by some schools.

3. Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT). This is an advanced degree that many physical therapy programs  have begun to offer. There is still some debate about the value of the degree, however, at a recent conference (April, 2005) representatives of the professional schools suggested that this degree provides more credibility for the practitioners who operate their own physical therapy centers and should lead to higher salaries for those working at other facilities. Follow this link for more information about the Doctor of Physical Therapy degree.

Specific prerequisites vary by school but usually include the following:

• two semesters of Biology (for majors) with labs
• two semesters of Chemistry (for majors) with labs
• two semesters of Physics with labs
• courses in human anatomy & physiology, psychology, statistics
• other "recommended" course

John Carroll University offers undergraduate education that prepares students to enter either Master of Physical Therapy or Doctor of Physical Therapy programs.

For further information or questions contact , Dr. Gwendolyn Kinebrew, Chair  of Pre-Health Professions Studies, 216-397-1971 (e-mail: gkinebrew@jcu.edu), or Miss Nichole Carter, Department Assistant, Pre-Health Professions Studies, 216-397-4249 (e-mail: ncarter@jcu.edu).