The best physical therapy schools in Texas train students to become physical therapists who are professionals.
Usually, physical therapists are required to have a master’s degree or a clinical doctorate degree from an accredited institution and must sit for a licensing exam to practice.
Physical therapists who are already practising and only have a master’s degree can still practice, but all new students of the profession are now required to get a doctorate degree.
All these and more are what we will be detailed in this article. Read on to see the list of physical therapy schools in Texas.
Who are physical therapists?
Physical therapists provide physical therapy services. They are professionals who are licensed by the state in which they decide to work.
Physical therapists-commonly called PTs-are required to have a master’s degree or a clinical doctorate degree from an accredited institution and must sit for a licensing examination in order to practice.
As we stated earlier, physical therapists who are already practising but only have a master’s degree can still practice, but all new students of the profession are now required to get a doctoral degree.
Furthermore, physical therapists are trained to assess the condition of people and help them regain maximum functional mobility and independence.
They use a variety of treatment modalities and techniques to help you move better and even feel better. With a physical therapist, treatment is very personalized.
The practice of physical therapy includes but is not limited to:
+ Measurement or testing of the function of the musculoskeletal, neurological, pulmonary, or cardiovascular system;
+ Rehabilitative treatment is concerned with restoring function or preventing disability caused by illness, injury, or birth defect;
+ The practice of physical therapy also involves the treatment, consultative, educational, or advisory services that aimed at reducing the incidence or severity of disability or pain to enable, train, or retrain a person to perform the independent skills and activities of daily living; and
+ Delegation of selective forms of treatment to support personnel while a physical therapist retains the responsibility for caring for the patient and directing, as well as supervising the support personnel.
Where can a physical therapist be needed?
When a patient has an injury or illness that results in such things as pain, physical impairment, limited normal movement or even loss of function, physical therapists come in.
Many specialists are specialized in certain populations, like children, the elderly, or athletes.
Regardless of age, if you have impaired mobility, a physical therapist’s evaluation may be required before treatment can be administered and also as a strategy to improve function.
Some of the common problems that physical therapists evaluate and treat include:
- Arthritis
- Stroke
- Fractures
- Amputations
- Sports injuries
- Spinal cord injury
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
There are many other problems that physical therapists can handle which were not listed. When an injury or illness occurs, that limits your ability to move about safely and normally.
Physical therapists work closely with patients, healthcare providers, and family members to ensure a safe and rapid return to maximum function.
Also, they can help prevent injury or loss of functional mobility.
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What is the professional status of Physical Therapy?
Physical therapists are health professionals and are regulated. Only physical therapists (PTs) and physical therapist assistants (PTAs) licensed by the Texas Board of Physical Therapy Examiners (TBPTE) can provide physical therapy in Texas.
A PTA can provide physical therapy services only under the direction and supervision of a PT.
A physical therapy aide or technician is a person not licensed by this Board who has on-the-job training and aids in the provision of physical therapy services only with the onsite supervision of a PT or PTA.
Once I complete the PT program, can I start practicing right away?
No. PTs require a license to practice. That means after your program at the physical therapy schools in Texas, you have to go for your license.
Is Physical Therapy the same as Occupational Therapy?
No. An occupational therapist is a health professional who works with people of all ages and conditions to help them lead satisfying and productive lives.
Meanwhile, Physical Therapists assist people who have various physical disorders to overcome barriers to physical performance.
The work of physical therapists’ focuses on decreasing the impact of disability and enhancing the quality of life.
What’s the job market like in Physical Therapy?
The job market for physical therapists has continued to be good.
Due to the shift in health care from hospitals to the community and private sectors, physical therapists can now find work today in many different settings.
Are all the jobs in hospitals?
No, Physical therapists work in rehabilitation clinics, in-home care programs, community health centres, schools, and in various private practice settings.
Recently, a lot of physical therapists are finding jobs as consultants and administrators, teaching in universities, and getting involved in research.
What’s the difference between a Physiotherapist and a Physical Therapist?
Nothing. The phrases are synonymous.
The List of 10 Best Physical Therapy Schools in Texas
- Baylor University (Fort Sam Houston & Waco, TX)
- Texas Woman’s University (Denton, TX)
- University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston (Galveston, TX)
- University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center (Dallas, TX)
- Texas State University (San Marcos, TX)
- Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center (Lubbock, TX)
- University of North Texas Health Science Center (Fort Worth, TX)
- University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio (San Antonio, TX)
- Hardin-Simmons University (Abilene, TX)
- University of Texas at El Paso (El Paso, TX)
Baylor University (Fort Sam Houston & Waco, TX)
This is one of the physical therapy schools in Texas that offers a top-raked physical therapy program that recruits and selects highly-qualified individuals from the civilian sector.
Being one of the top physical therapy schools in Texas, their program selects applicants from within the active duty and reserve forces to transfer into their program from other military occupational specialties.
This military physical therapy program is located at the historic Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, Texas and is the Home of Military Medicine.
Ever since 1971, the United States Army and Baylor University partnered to establish and conduct a graduate-level, physical therapy training program for the armed forces and ever since then, the program has continuously adapted to meet the physical therapy needs of the armed forces through excellence in academic coursework, clinical education, research and professional development of uniformed physical therapists.
Applicants applying to the Army-Baylor University entry-level physical therapist education program will apply online using the Physical Therapy Centralized Application Service (PTCAS).
The annual application cycle opens in early July and closes on 1 October.
General Tuition for Baylor University (Fort Sam Houston & Waco, TX):
- Regular Flat Rate Per Semester (12 hours or more): $25,869
- Per Credit Hour (11 hours or less): $2,154
- Guaranteed Flat Rate Per Semester (12 hours or more): $27,231
- Guaranteed Per Credit Hour (11 hours or less): $2,269\
- Graduate Tuition Per Credit Hour: $2,154
Texas Woman’s University (Denton, TX)
Texas Woman’s University’s School of Physical Therapy is a nationally recognized leader in professional and post-professional physical therapy education and has ranked repeatedly among the top PT schools in the nation by qualifying organizations such as U.S. News and World Report and GraduatePrograms.com.
Students can feel confident knowing the TWU School of Physical Therapy has earned accreditation for the DPT designation by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE).
Accreditation information including TWU’s acceptance, matriculation, graduation, licensure exam pass, and employment rates is available on the Accreditation page.
It is one of the physical therapy schools in Texas where students engage in regular research to enhance evidence-based care across the lifespan.
Areas, where they carry out their research, includes Falls, Geriatric PT, Orthopedics, Post-Polio Syndrome, Stroke Survivor, and underserved populations.
They are a co-ed public university. The entry DPT is offered on both campuses-the Dallas, TX and Houston, TX locations-every year.
Their program has a one time start in the fall (late August) on both campuses every year.
They accept approximately 54 students to each campus. Applicants must have a minimum 3.0 GPA in their overall, last 60 hours and prerequisite GPA.
Prerequisites courses for this program must be completed prior to the program starting in August 2022.
Competitive GRE scores are required along with a minimum of 80 (40 in two different facilities) observation/volunteer/ or work hours in the physical therapy field. Applicants must have a minimum of 20 hours of inpatient experience.
TWU is one of six universities in the US to offer a PhD in physical therapy (beyond the DPT) for those interested in teaching or conducting research.
We also offer a fast track option to our enrolled students from the DPT to the PhD.
University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston (Galveston, TX)
The UTMB Entry-Level Doctor of Physical Therapy program is a graduate professional curriculum for students who have completed an undergraduate degree and required prerequisites.
The curriculum is designed to build from basic science courses to clinical sciences with an emphasis on problem-solving activities that instil critical thinking for clinical decision making.
Clinical internships begin after the first year of the PT curriculum and are available in Texas and across the US.
As of November 2020, UTMB offers two entry-level DPT program tracks: the residential program and the hybrid program. The Residential Entry-Level DPT is a 9-semester full-time curriculum that requires onsite face to face classes throughout the semester.
The Physical Therapy program at UTMB is the oldest Physical Therapy program in Texas and is located on the UTMB Health campus, which allows students access to outstanding faculty and resources from the Health Professions, Nursing and Medical Schools.
Typically, UTMB DPT graduates have a 100% licensure exam pass rate and 100% employment rate.
Total Cost of Education for In-State Students: $45000
Total Cost of Education for out of State Students: $90000
For the Residential & Hybrid DPT Program, the Application Deadline is November 1.
For PTA to DPT Bridge Program, the Application Deadline is October 1.
University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center (Dallas, TX)
The Doctor of Physical Therapy program at UT Southwestern Medical centre trains physical therapists, being one of the nation’s leading academic medical centres.
Their mission is to promote health to enable full human potential through the three interdependent core areas of education, research and clinical service.
The DPT program gives students a strong foundation in theory, basic science, and professional skills, enhanced with outstanding opportunities to put concepts into action through clinical practice.
UT Southwestern Medical Center’s DPT graduates are critical consumers of research, provide the highest quality patient-oriented clinical services in a changing landscape of health care, and serve their communities and the profession.
The 31-month curriculum is designed to help students learn and apply scientific theory and professional skills through focused coursework.
In addition, the final two semesters are devoted to clinical experiences.
UT Southwestern’s DPT faculty is a distinctive blend of highly regarded educators, researchers, and clinicians who hold advanced degrees and board certifications in clinical specialities recognized by the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties.
Apply Early! PTCAS processing may take up to 5 weeks once all required materials are received.
The Admissions Committee usually grant interviews for early January by invitation only.
Interview Day begins with a presentation, which gives an overview of the program and introductions of the faculty.
- Total Cost of Education for In-State Students: $40118.00
- Total Cost of Education for out of State Students: $80373.00
Texas State University (San Marcos, TX)
The Texas State University DPT at State State University meets the state education requirement for professional licensure in all states.
The state jurisdiction requires graduation from a CAPTE accredited physical therapist education program.
The Doctor of Physical Therapy Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE).
The department implemented the program in the Summer of 2008.
Applications received by early October of each year will be considered for admission to the DPT program that will start in the Summer I semester of the following year.
The DPT replaced the MSPT program. The DPT is a three year, nine-semester cohort program with 99 credit hours that culminates in a doctor of physical therapy degree.
Between 40 and 44 students are accepted yearly.
In-state tuition (books and fees included) are about $51,000 for the 3 year PT degree. Non-resident tuition (books and fees included) are about $90,000 for the 3 year PT degree.
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center (Lubbock, TX)
The mission of the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center is to educate you to be a highly-skilled, evidence-based physical therapist who improves the health of your patients through the application of clinical skills, collaboration with other health care professionals, and commitment to life-long learning and community service.
Application is usually open by July 3 October 1 being the extended application deadline.
The Doctor of Physical Therapy Program was ranked as the #1 DPT Program in the United States for three consecutive years (2016-2018), based largely on student satisfaction surveys.
The Doctor of Physical Therapy Program at the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE).
Total Estimated Tuition and Fees:
- Texas Resident: 1,642.50(3 hours)
- Nonresident of Texas: 2,866.50(3 hours)
University of North Texas Health Science Center (Fort Worth, TX)
This 33-month long Doctor of Physical Therapy program produces well-rounded contemporary therapists, able to practice in the fastest growing and most rewarding profession at the University of North Texas Health Science Center.
The curriculum includes teaching collaboration from physical therapy faculty and the local physical therapy community.
Their program features a low student-faculty ratio, interdisciplinary education, and clinical experiences that span the state, the nation, the globe.
The program welcomed the first cohort of students in the fall of 2010 and their first graduating class was the class of 2013.
This program in this institution lasts for 8 semesters, the Clinical Credits is 18, and 36 weeks clinical rotations.
The Doctor of Physical Therapy Program at the University of North Texas Health Science Center is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE).
Tuition:
- In-State: $30,414
- Out-State: $65,528
University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio (San Antonio, TX)
The doctor of physical therapy program at this institution provides clinical, laboratory, and research experiences with leading faculty, clinicians and researchers.
UT Health San Antonio physical therapy graduates are fully prepared to treat individuals with disorders across all age groups, regardless of their condition, illness or injury.
They strive for their graduates to become the most respected practitioners in their field.
This program is a part of the Department of Physical Therapy. The program requires the following:
- Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution
- Complete program prerequisites prior to beginning the DPT program
- Overall GPA 3.2
- Math/Science Prerequisites GPA 3.2
- 50 Physical Therapy observation hours
- Application Deadline: October 1
In-state Tuition and Fees: ( Year 1=$15,227, Year 2=$14,740, Year 3= $6,843)
Out-of-state Tuition and Fees: ( Year 1=$30,323, Year 2=$31,060, Year 3= $13,983)
The costs listed above reflect tuition and required fees for in-state and out-of-state residents if the student attends Fall and Spring semesters each year.
Hardin-Simmons University (Abilene, TX)
This is one of the physical therapy schools in Texas that offers the Doctor of Physical Therapy program.
The Doctor of Physical Therapy program at HSU prepares individuals who demonstrate excellence in the practice of physical therapy and are enlightened by Christian faith and values.
Students who are self-motivated, dedicated and self-driven are provided with an outstanding education by a highly qualified and engaged faculty who are dedicated to your success.
They have an excellent, well-equipped facility, and numerous integrative learning experiences within the curriculum result in outstanding, exceptionally.
In 2019, 100% of HSU’s DPT students are members of the American Physical Therapy Association, earning HSU a Reach100 Platinum Award.
Hardin-Simmons University (Abilene, TX) has the lowest cost private PT school in Texas, where your success is their concern.
They have a State-of-the-art PT education facility including a human cadaver anatomy lab, PT rehabilitation lab, and latest technology.
Here hands-on clinical experiences begin in week 1 of the program and you successfully earn your DPT degree in just 28 months!
Projected Tuition per Semester = $12,298 (7 terms from start to completion of the degree)
Projected Total Program Cost = $86,080 (28 months)
University of Texas at El Paso (El Paso, TX)
This is one of the Physical therapy Schools in Texas that offers the Doctor of Physical Therapy Program.
The Doctor of Physical Therapy Program at the University of Texas at El Paso is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE).
This institution will train you to become eligible to take the national licensure examination known as the National Physical Therapy Exam.
First of November of each year (please see PTCAS Web Page for exact dates)– All Documentation must be received by Physical Therapist Centralized Application Service (PTCAS) by this deadline.
Tuition:
In-State: $19,530
Out-State: $41,826
Other Physical Therapy Schools in Texas
Below are other physical therapy schools in Texas that you might find in your area.
- Angelo State University
- Texas Woman’s University-PT Expansion Program in Dallas
- University of St Augustine for Health Sciences-Texas
- University of the Incarnate Word
Physical Therapy Schools in Houston
When it comes to physical therapy schools in Texas that offer physical therapy programs, Houston has two community colleges, that offer associate-level degrees in physical therapy assisting, as well as two four-year universities that offer doctoral-level programs in Physical therapy.
Students who are interested in a career in Physical therapy have two educational paths that they can choose from.
They are: earning an associate degree to work as a physical therapy assistant or earning a doctorate to work as a physical therapist.
The associate degree programs take about two years to complete and are offered by two-year, public schools; and may require a background check and also might require drug screening in addition to recommendation letters.
On the other hand, the Doctorate degrees in Physical therapy may be completed in three years; and are offered by four-year, public schools that are open and enrol individuals who hold a bachelor’s degree in a related field.
Houston Community College (HCC):
This institution is one of the physical therapy schools in Texas that offers a physical therapy assistant program at the Coleman College for Health Sciences at HCC.
While pursuing the Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree, you’ll take courses in medical terminology, human development, neurology, therapeutic exercises and patient care skills.
The program lasts for two years(full-time) and tuition & fees is $2,040 for in-district residents, $4,344 for TX residents and $5,460 for out-of-state students (2020-2021 academic year).
San Jacinto Community College (SJCC):
Located on the South campus, the physical therapy assistant program at SJCC boasts a 100% pass rate for students who have taken the licensing exam.
In this institution, you’ll study pathophysiology, rehabilitation techniques, neurological disorders and functional anatomy.
Tuition and Fees: $1,872 for in-district residents, $3,240 for TX residents, $5,040 for out-of-state students (2020-2021 academic year).
Texas Woman’s University and University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) offer Doctor of Physical Therapy Degrees in the Houston, TX, Area. They are among the top physical therapy schools in Texas.
At Texas Woman’s University, Tuition is $8,255 for in-state students and $18,071 for out-of-state students (2020-2021 academic year).
In the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB), Tuition is $9,062 for in-state students and $22,682 for out-of-state students (2020-2021 academic year).
For those interested in becoming physical therapy assistants, Houston Community College and San Jacinto Community College both offer associate degree programs; if you’d like to become a physical therapist, then consider attending Texas Woman’s University or the University of Texas to pursue a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree.
What are your thoughts about physical therapy schools in Texas? Please share your thoughts below.
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Our references on physical therapy schools in Texas:
physicaltherapy.utoronto.ca:https://www.physicaltherapy.utoronto.ca/faq/the-pt-profession/
Learn.org:https://learn.org/articles/Which_Schools_Have_Physical_Therapy_Programs_in_Houston.html