Tyler Duffrin

September 16, 2015

Career Research Paper
By definition, a physical therapist is a health care professional who diagnoses and treats
individuals of all ages who have medical problems or other health-related conditions. As a
naturally helpful person who is concerned with the well-being of others, my personality suits this
career very well. According to the 2015 Occupational Outlook Handbook, demand for physical
therapists is expected to increase 36% between the years 2012 and 2022, much faster than the
average growth rate for all occupations. That statistic is eye-catching to anyone aspiring to
become a physical therapist, but perhaps the most satisfying part of a career in physical therapy
is making a difference in someones life in a most fulfilling way.
The social and psychological factors of having a career as a physical therapist are secondto-none. Being a physical therapist is very rewarding. You will work with patients one-on-one,
see them progress through treatment, and know that you are really making a difference in their
lives, said APTA (American Physical Therapist Association) spokesperson Meredith Harris, PT,
DPT, EdD. To list a few psychological factors of being a PT: being able to enjoy job security,
while working in a comfortable atmosphere, and having a flexible schedule. For Americans
looking for a rewarding career in a struggling economy, a career in physical therapy could be the
best solution. The soaring demand for physical therapists can be accredited to the aging
American population. Also, there are approximately 185,000 licensed physical therapists in the
United States, and that number is expected to jump to 241,700 over the next ten years.
With this career being as rewarding as it is, psychologically and fiscally, (in 2014, the
median salary for a Physical Therapist was $82,120) education requirements are not easy. Before

they are allowed to practice, physical therapists must have earned graduate degrees from
accredited academic programs in physical therapy. These programs usually conclude in a
doctoral degree and take at least three years to complete. To gain admission to physical therapy
programs, students typically need to earn bachelors degrees, complete certain science
prerequisite courses, gain volunteer or observation experience in the area of physical therapy,
submit Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores, and maintain acceptable grade-point
averages. Students in physical therapy programs may study topics like human anatomy,
biomechanics, musculoskeletal system pathology and neurological dysfunction management.
Employment for physical therapists can be found anywhere; most every major city in the
United States has physical therapy centers. Some major Physical Therapy organizations are the
APTA (American Physical Therapy Association), the Foundation for Physical Therapy, and the
ACPTA (American Council of Academic Physical Therapy). Local organizations can be found in
your nearest hospital or Orthopedic Rehabilitation Center which are often located within
hospitals. Physical Therapy majors do not have to be PTs, however. Jobs that require a major in
Physical Therapy include the following: athletic trainer, biological technician, nursing instructor,
or pharmacist. Jobs in the health sciences field can be demanding in college, but the salary and
benefits much outweigh the few years of hard work one has to commit to while in college.

Job advancement opportunities

Work hours and conditions more specific
List of exercises a PT would do with a patient
o Conclusion paragraph
Salary
Definition
Education/training requirements
Qualifications
Psychological factors