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Three Methods:Prepare for Application to a Doctoral ProgramApply to the Doctoral ProgramComplete the Physical Therapy Doctoral Program

A doctorate in physical therapy enables you to work in a wide variety of healthcare facilities, including hospitals, health clinics, nursing care facilities and physicians' offices. Obtaining a doctorate involves completing 3 years of coursework beyond a bachelor's degree and meeting the chosen university's requirement of hands-on practice with patients. Here are the steps for getting a doctorate in physical therapy.

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EditMethod 1 of 3: Prepare for Application to a Doctoral Program

  1. Finance Your Business Step 2
    1
    Select a doctoral program in physical therapy. Review the list of prerequisites to determine the types of courses you are required to take as an undergraduate.
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  2. Become a High School Social Studies Teacher Step 4
    2
    Complete a bachelor's degree program. Biology and psychology are good foundations for this field and type of work. Depending on your chosen doctoral program, you also may be required to take courses in chemistry, physics, statistics, social science, anatomy and physiology.
    • Achieve the required grade point average (GPA). Each doctoral program has its own minimum GPA requirement. A higher GPA typically will increase your chances of admission into more competitive programs. Check with your chosen program to learn about the minimum GPA requirements.
  3. Succeed in an Advanced Placement Course Step 1
    3
    Take the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). More reputable physical therapy programs typically expect higher GRE scores, so check the doctoral program's website to see the average GRE score of admitted students.
  4. Become a Dell Reseller Step 10
    4
    Obtain letters of recommendation from undergraduate faculty. Physical therapy graduate school admissions committees want to know that you can excel in mastering a science-heavy curriculum and hands-on work with patients. Ask 3 of your professors for letters of recommendation.
  5. Arrange Bail at No Cost Step 4
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    Get work experience in a physical therapy office. Many doctoral programs in this field expect you to have worked in a physical therapy setting as a volunteer or intern prior to application. Ask for letters of recommendation from your supervisors, in case they are needed by the doctoral admissions committee.
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EditMethod 2 of 3: Apply to the Doctoral Program

  1. Become a Commercial Real Estate Appraiser Step 3
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    Fill out the doctoral program application. Many programs also offer online applications. Gather all documents like transcripts and work experience information prior to beginning the application process.
    • Send in all requested documents before the deadline. Documents will include transcripts, letters of recommendation from professors, GRE scores and evidence of your internship in a physical therapy setting.
  2. Become a Dell Reseller Step 11
    2
    Attend in-person interviews with doctoral program faculty members. Some programs interview you in person to gauge your capacity for grasping the curriculum and working with people in a healthcare setting.
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EditMethod 3 of 3: Complete the Physical Therapy Doctoral Program

  1. Develop a Business Development Budget Step 1
    1
    Meet with an academic adviser to plan out your coursework. Typical courses in a physical therapy program include applied physiology, neurological and musculoskeletal topics, movement sciences, diagnostic imaging, professional communication, and physical therapy exams and interventions.
  2. Apply for the CBAP Exam Step 7
    2
    Complete a clinical internship. Each program has its own set of requirements. As an example, you might be required to work with patients for a minimum of 4,000 hours in a supervised setting in order to earn a doctorate.
  3. Buy Your Own Business Step 8
    3
    Present a case study report. Some programs expect you to observe patient issues during your internship and present a report on a specific case encountered during hands-on work with patients. The report may be in writing and/or presented verbally to the program's faculty.
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