Physical Therapy Schools in Memphis
- Physical therapy promotes health and specializes in the prevention of physical disabilities and rehabilitation of persons disabled by pain, disease and injury. In Memphis, there are some school options for those interested in pursuing a career in physical therapy. For those not interested in spending years at school, some community colleges and specialized healthcare schools offer shorter programs with graduates receiving a degree as a physical therapist assistant.
- In 1911, the University of Tennessee opened a campus in Memphis dedicated to health science education and research. Now, the campus hosts six colleges, including the Allied Health Sciences college, and enrolls nearly 2,700 students. All accredited entry-level physical therapy programs are at the masters or doctoral level, which are 2 to 3 years in length and require a bachelors degree in an area of study other than physical therapy. Additionally, the Allied Health Sciences college has a three year physical therapy program which follows a four-year prerequisite coursework that results in a bachelors degree. Graduates of this program are awarded the Director of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree.
- As a community college, Southwest Tennessee Community College does not offer a physical therapy program but they do offer a physical therapist assistant program. Physical therapist assistants work with a licensed physical therapist to perform duties such as massage, exercise or hydrotherapy. The physical therapist assistant program runs for 2 years and graduates receive an Associate of Applied Science degree. Additionally, graduates are eligible to sit for the licensing examination. The Southwest Tennessee Community College physical therapist assistant program is accredited by the Commission on Accredited in Physical Therapy Education.
- Concorde Career College specializes in healthcare training and offers a physical therapist assistant program. Located in Clark Tower in East Memphis just blocks from the Oak Court Mall, Concorde Career College is authorized for operation as a post-secondary educational institution by the Tennessee Higher Education Commission. Their physical therapist assistant program is 20 months long and students are taught therapeutic exercise, functional training, mobility training, treatment using electrical stimulation, treatment using massage and balance and coordination training.
