Black Intelligentsia Libraries
The New Way Of Thinking
Physical Therapist
Do you enjoy studying the human body?  Wouldn't it be great to use what you've learned about the human anatomy to help others?  If you enjoy Biology, Anatomy, Health, PE, and exercising, in addition to helping people, and if you have a strong imagination, then perhaps you should become a Physical Therapist.

Physical Therapists assess, plan, organize, and participate in rehabilitative programs that restore function, improve mobility, relieve pain, increase strength, prevent or limit permanent physical disabilities, and improve or correct disabling conditions resulting from disease or injury.  These professionals are essential in the rehabilitation and treatment of patients with chronic conditions, illnesses, or injuries, helping them to improve strength, balance, coordination, and endurance.

The duties of a Physical Therapist include but are not limited to:  examining patients’ medical histories; diagnosing patients’ dysfunctional movements; setting up customized plans for their patients and outlining patient's goals, treatment strategies, and anticipated outcomes; using exercises, stretching maneuvers, hands-on therapy, and equipment to ease patients’ pain and to help them increase their ability to move; ​testing and measuring patients’ strength, range of motion, balance and coordination, posture, muscle performance, respiration, and motor function; giving deep-tissue massage to relieve pain and improve circulation and flexibility; evaluating patients’ progress, modifying treatment plans, and trying new treatments as needed; teaching patients to use assistive and adaptive devices (crutches, prostheses, wheelchairs, etc.); and educating patients and their families about what to expect during recovery from injury and illness and how best to cope.

High school students interested in becoming a Physical Therapist benefit from taking Algebra, Geometry, Trigonometry, Calculus, Biology/Anatomy, Nutrition, Health and Physical Education, Physical Science, Chemistry, and Physics.  Students entering a Physical Therapy Bachelor's of Science program with no previous Physical Therapy training should expect a period of 4 years to complete said program.  Physical Therapists need a Master's or Doctoral degree from an accredited Physical Therapy program, and all states require Physical Therapists to be licensed.  In some states, additional exams may be required.

Physical Therapists provide care to people of all ages (from children to the elderly) who have functional problems resulting from back, neck, and head injuries; sprains, strains, and fractures; arthritis; amputations; stroke; heart disease; birth conditions, such as cerebral palsy; injuries related to work and sports; and other conditions.  They work as part of a healthcare team, overseeing Physical Therapy Assistants and consulting with Physicians, Surgeons, Nurses, Occupational Therapists, and other specialists.

Physical Therapists practice in hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, and private offices that have specially equipped facilities. They also treat patients in hospital rooms, homes, and schools.  Some Physical Therapists own or are partners in owning their practice.  This profession can be physically demanding, often having to stoop, kneel, crouch, lift, and stand for long periods as well as moving heavy equipment, lifting patients, or helping them turn, stand, or walk.  Some treat a wide range of ailments, while others specialize in areas such as Pediatrics, Geriatrics, Orthopedics, Sports Medicine, Neurology, and Cardiopulmonary Physical Therapy.

The aging baby boomers are staying active later in life than the generations before them, and older persons are more likely to suffer heart attacks, strokes, and mobility-related injuries that require physical therapy for rehabilitation.  In addition, advances in medical technology have increased the use of outpatient surgery.  It is for these reasons that employment of Physical Therapists is expected to increase 39 percent over the next decade.
Job Description
Median Salary & Range
​Median Salary:  $78,270

Salary Range:  ~$54,710 - $110,670+
College Majors & Attainment Routes
The normal routes to becoming a Physical Therapist have been to attain a Bachelor's of Science degree in Physical Therapy, Physiotherapy, Biology, Physics (Pre-Physical Therapy concentration), Chemistry (Pre-Physical Therapy concentration), Pre-Physical Therapy, Kinesiology, Kinesiotherapy, Rehabilitation Services, Applied Science (Pre-Physical Therapy), Biomedical Sciences, Biology (Physical Therapy, Pre-Medical, Pre-Allied Health, Pre-Physical Therapy, Pre-Professional, Pre-Health, Pre-Medical and Biomedical Sciences, or Health Professions concentration), Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Kinesiology (Human Biology concentration), Kinesiology, Sports Studies and Physical Education, Biological Sciences (Physiology concentration), Allied Health and Pre-Health (Pre-Physical Therapy), Physiology, Movement Science, Anatomy, Chemistry, Human Biology (Physical Therapy or Kinesiology concentration), Health Sciences (Physical Therapy, Cardiac Rehabilitation, or Exercise Physiology concentration), Sports Medicine, Public Health (Pre-Physical Therapy), Exercise Science, Rehabilitation Studies, Rehabilitation Services, Physics, or even Sports Science, before going on to attain a Master's​ or Doctoral degree in Physical Therapy.  A Master's degree in Physical Therapy usually takes two years to complete, after first completing the Bachelor's degree.  A Doctoral degree in Physical Therapy takes about 3 to 4 years to complete, after which residency and then fellowship follows.  Credentialed residencies are between 9 and 36 months, while credentialed fellowships take between 6 and 36 months.
Colleges That Provide Above Majors
Colleges and universities that have Physical Therapy and related majors are:  Howard University (Washington, DC); University of Maryland Eastern Shore (Princess Anne, Maryland); North Carolina A&T State University (Greensboro, North Carolina); North Carolina Central University (Durham, North Carolina); Shaw University (Raleigh, North Carolina); Morehouse School of Medicine (Atlanta, Georgia); Winston Salem State University (Winston Salem, North Carolina); Allen University (Columbia, South Carolina); Elizabeth City State University (Elizabeth City, North Carolina); Hampton University (Hampton, Virginia); Coppin State University (Baltimore, Maryland); Delaware State University (Dover, Delaware); Alabama State University (Montgomery, Alabama); Kentucky State University (Frankfort, Kentucky); Virginia Union University (Richmond, Virginia); Grambling State University (Grambling, Louisiana); Southern University and A&M College (Baton Rouge, Louisiana); Virginia State University (Petersburg, Virginia); Florida A&M University (Tallahassee, Florida); Bluefield College (Bluefield, West Virginia); Jackson State University (Jackson, Mississippi); Alcorn State University (Lorman, Mississippi); Xavier University (New Orleans, Louisiana); Dillard University (New Orleans, Louisiana); Langston University (Langston, Oklahoma); Mississippi Valley State University (Itta Bena, Mississippi); Cheyney University (Cheyney, Pennsylvania); St. Augustine's University (Raleigh, North Carolina); Texas Southern University (Houston, Texas); Huston-Tillotson University (Austin, Texas); Tennessee State University (Nashville, Tennessee); Prairie View A&M University (Prairie View, Texas); Lincoln University (Lincoln University, Pennsylvania); LeMoyne-Owen College (Memphis, Tennessee); Allen University (Columbia, South Carolina); Fisk University (Nashville, Tennessee); Claflin University (Orangeburg, South Carolina); Wiley College (Marshall, Texas); Johnson C. Smith University (Charlotte, North Carolina); West Virginia State University (Charleston, West Virginia); Oakwood University (Huntsville, Alabama); Wilberforce University (Wilberforce, Ohio); and Morris College (Sumter, South Carolina).
Available Scholarships