Colleges with good physical therapy programs

<p>Son's girlfriend is considering PT/OT as a career. We are already investigating Univ. of Scranton, Sacred Heart, Quinnipiac, College Misericordia. Does anyone have any knowledge of the programs at these schools and what other colleges in NY, NJ, PA, CT offer PT/OT? Thanks for your help.</p>

<p>Physical Therapy is quickly becoming a graduate degree for entry level. There are no longer any BS programs accredited by APTA (American Physical Therapy Association).</p>

<p>oops posting at the same time.</p>

<p>PT is no longer an undergrad degree program. Generally, you can major in anything as an undergrad, but need basic requirements like bio, chem, physics, pscych, +/- stats, etc. It's almost like "pre-med" with students then entering a Masters or "entry level" DPT program after 4 years undergrad. Some will prefer to get some "hands-on" type training and chose an undergrad program in "health science," "rehab," "excercise physiol" to get a little "closer" to PT prior to grad school. Some will take on an AT major, with the idea that you'll have something to show for it after 4 years in case you need a break between college and grad school or don't get in, etc. In my part of the world, (Florida) there are few to no 6 yr "combined programs". We know of one State U program that will guarantee admission into the grad program if your undergrad GPA is 3.5 or above, but that's it. Most Masters PT programs are year-round and 2+ to 3 years, with DPT programs 3-3+ years year round. </p>

<p>Are you looking for under grad programs or grad schools?</p>

<p>Thanks for your responses! Sorry, I should have been more detailed. Yes, we are aware that the DPT is now the becoming the standard (used to be MSPT was sufficient). So we are looking for the 6-7 year programs that stay within one school. Some colleges require a certain number of hours of shadowing or volunteering with a PT before being admitted to the PT program, and we are working on arranging that right now. She has excellent grades and rank (4.2ish W, 7/340), not as great SAT's, but re-taking.</p>

<p>Sage College in Albany/Troy NY</p>

<p><a href="http://www.sage.edu/academics/schoolofnursingandhealthsciences/occupationaltherapy/index.php%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.sage.edu/academics/schoolofnursingandhealthsciences/occupationaltherapy/index.php&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>I know it's not in the Northeast, but I found that the University of Evansville (Evansille, IN) has a 5 year program which I believe is both Athletic Training and Physical Therapy.</p>

<p>If she's willing to look in the Boston area, check out Simmons. Also, check out Ithaca College in New York.</p>

<p>If you are willing to look a bit further south - East Carolina University in Greenville, NC - has an excellent PT and OT program - all on one campus - one of 2 certified programs in NC - just another hint - out of state tuition is very reasonable in NC as well compared to the northeast and cost of living on the economy is alot less than in the northeast.</p>

<p>Worth a look - <a href="http://www.ecu.edu/ah/%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.ecu.edu/ah/&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>Northeastern University</p>

<p><a href="http://www.bouve.neu.edu/programs/search.php?school=1&level=%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.bouve.neu.edu/programs/search.php?school=1&level=&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>I just checked in FL, where PT and OT are very much in demand. Nova (FT lauderdale), FL international (Miami), USF all have UG/grad programs. At some schools, there are at least 200 UGs.
I think I'd lok state by state, #faculty and students, all to help to know which programs have lots of vitality</p>

<p>This site will give you excellent info on all accredited PT schools in the country - and each schools individual info.......... great resource</p>

<p><a href="http://www.apta.org/AM/Template.cfm?section=PT_Programs&template=/aptaapps/accreditedschools/acc_schools_map.cfm&process=3&type=PT%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.apta.org/AM/Template.cfm?section=PT_Programs&template=/aptaapps/accreditedschools/acc_schools_map.cfm&process=3&type=PT&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>If you're looking in Boston, look at Boston University...Sargent School. It has outstanding OT/PT programs. The OT program is one of the top in the country and I believe the PT program is as well.</p>

<p>daemen college near Buffalo, NY is supposed to have an excellent PT program.</p>

<p>Big negative to BU is the cost to attend :( - unless lucky enough to get a scholarship - and very high cost of living in Boston as well.</p>

<p>I totally agree with the cost of living and attendance at BU (DS is entering his senior year at BU). However, their program in OT/PT is top ranked in the country.</p>

<p>glad you already found quinnipiac.
also springfield college has a terrific PT program.</p>

<p>Thanks everyone for some great ideas! We will definitely investigate these.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.upstate.edu/chp/pt/%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.upstate.edu/chp/pt/&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p><a href="http://soeweb.syr.edu/newsevents/index.cfm?id=46%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://soeweb.syr.edu/newsevents/index.cfm?id=46&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>Hi, first link is to SUNY Upstate Medical University in Syracuse and the 2nd is to Syracuse Univ. PT program with an affiliation at Upstate. Both are in the heart of Syracuse and excellent in my mind.</p>

<p>Both are in central New York.</p>

<p>Check this school out as well:</p>

<p><a href="http://www.usip.edu/aboutUSP/%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.usip.edu/aboutUSP/&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>Coe College in Cedar Rapids Iowa has a pre-PT program, useful internships, and a good admit record to grad PT. It is further west than you are looking now, but has the advantage of being a small, residential LAC college with a strong community and probably the option of financial aid since they are seeking broader geographic diversity....</p>