Physical Therapy Masters Degrees Online

A career in physical therapy may be what you are looking for if you an “active” person with solid academic credentials in the right area. Physical therapists work with patients suffering from disease, illness or disabilities to enhance or restore mobility and minimize pain. Sports is one example of a field where physical therapy is practically applied. Physically therapists in this area work with sportspersons to restore various body functions such as limbs after their patients have experienced injuries, suffered illnesses or undergone surgeries to primarily focus on improving mobility and alleviating pain.

A practitioner in this discipline needs to hold a Master’s degree in Physical Therapy as a minimum requirement. This program usually spans 2 years and is in-built with supervised field that is a mandated component to be completed by students. It is available through dual modes of campus and online channels. Course work usually revolves around study of physiology, science of exercising, various techniques of rehabilitation, athletic training, psychology, human anatomy, nutrition and food science along side other related subjects.

Career prospects are very good for physical therapists with employment growth of 27% projected by US Bureau of Labor Statistics through 2016. Latest technologies and medical advances are also expected to spur growth in this field. Moreover, the increased life expectancy contributing to higher numbers of elderly population will be another major factor in driving growth. Salaries are attractive at $66,200 being the median annual earnings drawn by physical therapists in May 2006. In fact, they can get better and this is evidence by the highest 10% earning more than $94,810.

University of Phoenix and Strayer University lead the select group offering quality programs followed by Kaplan, Argosy and Capella Universities that focus on unique, distinctive and flexible courses based on imparting real world skills.