ABOUT PRE-PHYSICAL THERAPY
Pre-PT students are those students interested in becoming a physical therapist by going to physical therapy school after completing their undergraduate degree. According to the American Physical Therapy Association, “Physical therapists are movement experts who improve quality of life through prescribed exercise, hands-on care, and patient education.” A physical therapist, often in consultation with physicians, works with individuals of all ages who have injuries or disabilities to improve their ability to move, reduce or manage pain, restore function (if possible), and prevent future injury. Most physical therapy programs in Texas are 3-year programs with the student earning a doctoral degree in physical therapy or DPT. To be licensed to practice in Texas, a PT must pass a national licensing exam and a Texas jurisprudence exam. PTs have the opportunity to specialize and some of these specializations include: sports, orthopedic, geriatric, pediatric, and cardiovascular and pulmonary. There are currently 16 DPT programs in the state of Texas and Tarleton will adding its own PT program very soon!