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good schools emphasizing manual therapy
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good schools emphasizing manual therapy - January 3, 2008 6:39:15 PM
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mentis fugit
Posts: 2
Joined: July 11, 2007
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I realize that this may be a silly question, but I'm trying to research schools that offer a high-quality education and have an emphasis in manual therapy. Location isn't really important, I'm planning on moving to go to school and trying to establish residency wherever I relocate to.
I understand that school ranking isn't necessarily important, and that I should try attend school wherever I plan on settling down, for reasons of networking, but I'm really most interested in trying to get the best education possible.
I welcome any comments and suggestions, and thank you in advance.
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RE: good schools emphasizing manual therapy - January 3, 2008 8:03:51 PM
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Kaden
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Look into Regis University in Denver (private school so expensive) but they have a good manual therapy base with Tim Flynn, Julie Whitman, etc. These two are some of the leaders in our field in producing evidenced based research in manual physical therapy.
I didn't go to Regis for my therapy education but my wife did and I was very impressed with there manual therapy education.
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RE: good schools emphasizing manual therapy - January 4, 2008 2:31:04 PM
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TexasOrtho
Posts: 541
Joined: December 22, 2007
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You also need to consider the tuition. My advice would be to find a good overall program where you can learn each of the disciplines without strong bias toward a specific method of treatment. You can always refine your manual therapy skill after school, but the cost and overal quality of your education should be foremost on your mind as a student.
_____________________________
Rod Henderson, PT
Board Certified Orthopedic Specialist (or Super-Freak)
Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist
www.texasorthopedics.blogspot.com
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RE: good schools emphasizing manual therapy - January 4, 2008 5:40:31 PM
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Kaden
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I would agree with Rod with regards to the cost issue. Dropping a $150,000 on a private DPT program to make 50-55,000 to start may not be the best - not to mention what your undergraduate studies may have cost you. That is why i mentioned cost in my earlier post - my wife would tell you if she had it to do over again she would not have attened a private university. In her eyes the benefit did not justify the extra cost.
I don't necessarily think it is a bad idea to find a school with a manual therapy emphasis if you know this is the direction you want to head after school. Do you care if a particular school has a good peds program if you have absolutey no interest in such an area.
Rod's point of finding a well rounded program is an exellent idea if you are not sure of an area of focus. As he says, of course you can always advance manual therapy training after you graduate but there is nothing wrong with a strong base to begin that will help shape a career in manual therapy.
All schools are APTA credentialed so you are not going to find a program blatently lacking in one are just some that are better in certain areas b/c of the quality of instructors.
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RE: good schools emphasizing manual therapy - January 4, 2008 6:39:19 PM
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mentis fugit
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Joined: July 11, 2007
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Thank you both for your thoughtful advice. The cost of the program will definitely be a factor in my decision, but I would be willing to spend more if a school happened to be expensive, but was really outstanding.
Let me ask this: I mentioned in my original question the idea that it's best to attend a school where I plan on living, so I can make contacts with professionals in the field where I'll be working, before I enter the workforce. How important do you think this is? How hard is it to relocate after school to a place where no one in the field knows you, and how much of a priority should I make of attending school where I plan on living afterward?
Thanks again for any advice.
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RE: good schools emphasizing manual therapy - January 5, 2008 2:43:11 AM
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T_Thom
Posts: 63
Joined: December 25, 2007
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I too agree with the above posts.
In my experience while in PT school, as well as being a new graduate mentor, and clinical educator--not all schools are created equal. I am a Regis DPT graduate myself, and I am still quite happy I made that choice now that I've been out a few years. The program is best known for manual rx., but I think it is equally as strong in neurology, and pediatrics. I selected this program after researching and interviewing PTs in the clinic, including graduates from other institutions, asking where they would go if doing it all over again. I'm in debt ~54K (what schools are costing 150K?) On the other hand, there are PT programs out there who accept and graduate students who are a not ready for the clinical world.
I don't think you need to attend a school based on where you plan to live. When I participate in interviews, I am typically more intrigued with graduates who are not coming from the local PT school (depending on what school it is.) Working with graduates from several universities & geographic areas adds great variety to group thinking and problem solving.
My advice is to select a school that will teach you how to critically think and problem solve, not just teach you techniques. You can do a residency or fellowship to learn the hands-on aspect. As with any degree program, your education is what you make of it. If your a serious student, it will serve you and the profession well.
Best of luck in your search!
~NT
< Message edited by T_Thom -- January 5, 2008 3:17:48 AM >
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RE: good schools emphasizing manual therapy - January 5, 2008 2:20:02 PM
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TexasOrtho
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Another thing: Do you already have multiple acceptances to different schools? It's been over 10 years since I applied, but it took me two years to get accepted to four different schools. In the end I choose UTMB because it was close, inexpensive, and (as it turns out) an outstanding program.
Honestly though, I agree with what was stated previously. Your education is what you make of it. If you rely on what you learn in the classroom, you'll get only a fraction of what could have been a worthwhile education even in a poor program. Professors and curriculum can never make up for what your effort will yield.
I tell my students (I also am a clinical instructor) that it isn't the program's responsibility to make you a good therapist. They are there to open doors so you can learn. The rest is up to you. Best of luck!
_____________________________
Rod Henderson, PT
Board Certified Orthopedic Specialist (or Super-Freak)
Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist
www.texasorthopedics.blogspot.com
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RE: good schools emphasizing manual therapy - January 5, 2008 4:45:17 PM
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Kaden
Posts: 329
Joined: June 17, 2007
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T_Thom,
The 150K reference was a guess with undergrad, and grad work combined. I know plenty of private school grads pushing that total. Right now Regis tuition is 596 per semester hour and 110 hours needed to complete program requirements. That is over 65k in tuition alone not to mention books, lab fees, insurance, etc. Add that to living expenses for 3 years and you could see it is easy to rack up some debt.
I am happy to see you are only in 54k worth of debt but you obviously had some help along the way.
Although applying to some state schools as a non resisdent can cost this much and more. Bottom line college is expensive and one needs to think about the investment they are making and if it will pay off.
This is a seperate issue from the original post but I honestly feel PT is reaching a point where the investment is not worth the return. Spend 7 years in school, rack up over 100k in debt to come out and make 50k and quickly reach a ceiling to your income potential. I know money isn't everything but it needs to be a consideration.
I wonder how long the APTA is going to continue to increase education requirements while at the same time do such a poor job of educating others about what we do that reimbursement rates and salaries continue to decline.
What is the point to being highly skilled and educated if know one else in the public or other healthcare professions realize this skill level.
Sorry, rant and tangent over
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RE: good schools emphasizing manual therapy - January 5, 2008 5:43:50 PM
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TexasOrtho
Posts: 541
Joined: December 22, 2007
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Amen Kaden.
_____________________________
Rod Henderson, PT
Board Certified Orthopedic Specialist (or Super-Freak)
Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist
www.texasorthopedics.blogspot.com
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RE: good schools emphasizing manual therapy - January 7, 2008 10:56:45 AM
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orthotherapist
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Joined: February 6, 2007
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I agree with Texas ortho response to what he tells his students - pick a well known school that has a high pass rate on the exam. All else equal chose public over private for the cost reason. The school will give you the education and ultimately the license - it will be up to you to take courses that interest you (manual therapy) and read, read, read journals for the rest of your career.
You could have the best education but if you do not keep up to date upon graduation it was all for nothing.
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RE: good schools emphasizing manual therapy - January 7, 2008 11:27:39 AM
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jesspt
Posts: 85
Joined: April 3, 2007
From: Illinois
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Here's a link to the three year ultimate pass rates of the national physical therapy examination:
http://www.fsbpt.org/exams/PassRates/index.asp
I absolutely aggree with the previous posts. My advice to you, and the advice I give to the potential PT students who either have been employed as aides or are volunteering/observing, is that you attend the least expensive school you get accepted to that has a good three year pass rate ( around the mid 90's). I wouldn't even worry if it's still a Master's program. Many employers will offer tuition reimbursement for a transitional DPT, so you could potentially get a tDPT paid for by a future employer.
I'd also be warry of any program that is beholden to a single manual therapy school of thought. Your best bet, as orthotherapist states, is to get some good diadactic orthopaedic preparation and then stay current on the best evidence regarding manual therapy intervention.
_____________________________
Jess Brown, PT
Board Certified in Orthopaedic Physical Therapy
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RE: good schools emphasizing manual therapy - January 7, 2008 2:25:07 PM
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orthotherapist
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Joined: February 6, 2007
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In a nutshell: Save money on your education and then spend it on continuing education courses that you can tailor to your own needs/wants. No school can be specialized in one aspect as they must teach for pasing the board exams. Get a degree and then let the learning begin
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