Discovering Careers in Physical Therapy at Capital University

There is often high interest in the medical professions among international students at U.S. universities. But beyond going to medical school and becoming a doctor, there are many career paths within healthcare. For students who are interested in the healthcare field (and the counselors who work with them!), it is worth exploring the many available options. One area of growing interest is physical therapy (PT).

Physical therapists are an important and growing part of the U.S. healthcare system. They work in a variety of settings, including hospitals, private offices and clinics, nursing homes, and in-home care settings. They work one-on-one with patients who need specific physical rehabilitation, whether due to illness, injury, surgery, or chronic conditions. They guide patients through exercises and develop care plans to meet patients' goals.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the demand for physical therapists is expected to grow 14% over the next 10 years, much faster than other occupations. In May 2023, the median annual wage for physical therapists in the U.S. was $99,710 (USD).

• Note: Another similar career field is occupational therapy. While physical therapists help patients improve their ability to move their bodies, occupational therapists focus on helping patients regain or maintain skills needed for everyday life. Career outcomes are comparable (11% growth over the next decade), as are salaries ($96,370 median annual wage in 2023) (source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). Becoming an occupational therapist also requires a graduate degree, so a “pre-Occupational Therapy” specialization is available at the undergraduate level. Academic advisors can help students determine the exact pre-health specialization that is right for them.

To become a physical therapist in the United States, a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) is required, along with a state licensure exam. The DPT is a 3-year program completed after a student earns their undergraduate degree.

However, students interested in physical therapy don't have to wait until graduate school to begin working toward their career! Many universities offer a “pre-physical therapy” (pre-PT) program, where students can take the prerequisite courses for DPT programs and learn about the career field.

At Capital University, as at many other universities, the “pre-professional” specializations must be paired with a primary major. Some majors that help prepare students for physical therapy graduate programs are Exercise Science, Biology, and Psychology, but students can choose any primary major. Students in the pre-professional tracks complete our required Signature Learning coursework, the requirements for their primary major, and the requirements for their pre-professional specialization.

Pre-Physical Therapy students can also gain hands-on experience in the field through the many extracurricular engagements offered at Capital. They can work as trainers for Capital students, faculty, and staff through the CapFit program, conduct undergraduate research through the Symposium of Undergraduate Scholarship, and network with like-minded students and professionals in organizations like Beta Beta Beta National Biological Science Honors Society and the Pre-Health Association. These activities not only help students determine if this is the career for them, but they also stand out on a graduate school application.

While Capital does not offer the DPT degree, the foundational education at a small liberal arts university sets our students up for success in graduate school. Not only does a liberal arts education encourage the interdisciplinary thinking needed to succeed professionally, but the faculty mentorship available at Capital yields strong graduate school applications, since students can more easily access resume-boosting activities like undergraduate research.

Physical therapy is just one exciting career opportunity within the ever-evolving field of healthcare in the United States. Academic and career advisors at U.S. universities offer flexibility and support within the pre-health sciences to support students' journeys to the field that is best fit for them.