Baby boomers are aging, soldiers are coming home from war and Congress continues its pursuit of health care plans, which will make physical therapy more accessible to those who want and need it. Physical therapists will continue to be in high demand for the foreseeable future.
Instructions
Become a Physical Therapist Online
1. Prepare for a new way of life. If this will be the first time you've been in school since you graduated high school, no problem. Some people can work 40 hours a week and still manages a full-time class schedule. If possible, during your first semester, cut your hours at your job, and if that is not possible, set aside at least three or four hours a night for studying. Physical therapy degrees entail a lot of mathematics, biology and chemistry courses, which require strict attention to detail.
2. Choose an online program that fits your time expectations and budget. Some physical therapy programs offer three- or four-year bachelor's degrees, while others offer certificate and associate's degree programs lasting 18 to 24 months to become a physical therapy assistant. A good place to start is with local community colleges. If they don't offer an online program, there likely will be someone in a different department of the school (nursing or biology) who can steer you in the right direction. A Google or Yahoo! search will give you several choices of schools.
3. Ask questions. No matter how stupid or elementary you think a question might be, remember, you are investing in your education and future. How long will the program take? What kind of diploma or degree will you receive? What system requirements are necessary on your computer? Can you apply for admission to the school online? How available will your instructors be for questions?
4. Apply for financial aid. No matter how much money you make, there always is some sort of federal or state aid you can get. Fill out a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and make sure to list all schools you potentially might attend in the "Schools" section. This will send your Student Aid Report (SAR) to each school so they can determine your financial-aid eligibility. If you are younger than 23, you also will need your parents' income-tax information to receive federal aid.
5. Find a mentor. The American Physical Therapy Association has a mentor program for its members, which links experienced, professional physical therapists with those who still are in training or lack experience. Real-world experience not only will help in your studies, but it will better prepare you for your career.
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