Physiotherapist / Physical Therapist Education and Licensure in USA
To practice as a physical therapist in the USA, you must required to earn a doctor of physical therapy degree DPT from a Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education accredited physical therapist education program and pass a state licensure exam also.
The length of professional DPT programs is typically 3 years.
Primary content areas in the syllabus may include, but are not limited to, biology / anatomy, cellular histology, physiology, pharmacology, pathology, behavioral sciences, communication, exercise physiology, biomechanics, kinesiology, neuroscience, ethics/values, management sciences, finance, sociology, clinical reasoning, evidence-based practice, cardiovascular and pulmonary, endocrine and metabolic, musculoskeletal, CBR.
Approximately 75 -80% of the DPT curriculum is classroom lectures and lab study and the remaining 20- 25% is dedicated to clinical practice. Physio students spend on average 30 weeks in their final clinical expertise.