Rehabilitation & Therapy Colleges

Rehabilitation & Therapy majors attend school to learn how to help people with injuries, illnesses, disabilities and disorders cope and recover. Job duties include helping patients exercise physically and mentally, performing massage or ultrasound, applying hot and cold packs, test strength and range of motion, develop treatment plans and conduct examinations.

For this major, patience, compassion, a desire to help others along with an interest in the human body and sports or exercise is key. You’ll also benefit from being in good shape since you’ll need to lift and move patients as well as demonstrate exercises.

Rehabilitation & Therapy degree programs range from certificate programs to masters degrees. Most physical therapy or occupation therapy assistants for example, earn a 2-year associates degree from a community college, technical school, online school, career college, college or university. However, you can also pursue a certificate program at those types of schools, colleges and universities. If you’re interested in Physical Therapy or Occupational Therapy/Therapist majors, you’ll need to attain a masters degree from a college, university or online school.

Other possible majors in Rehabilitation & Therapy include Art Therapy/Therapist, Assistive/Augmentation Technology and Rehabilitation Engineering, Dance Therapy/Therapist, Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition Services, Kinesiotherapy/Kinesiotherapist, Music Therapy/Therapist, Occupational Therapist Assistant, Orthotist/Prosthetist, Physical Therapy/Therapist, Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions, Therapeutic Recreation/Recreational Therapy and Vocational Rehabilitation/Recreational Therapy.

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Choosing a Rehabilitation & Therapy School

No matter what you wish to study in Rehabilitation & Therapy, you can find a technical school, career college, community college, 4-year college or university nearby, as well as a variety of online schools. Schools offer many degree programs, so you can choose between certificate programs, associates degrees, bachelors degrees and masters degrees. Because hands-on experience is so important in this field, the amount and type of opportunities you’ll have working with patients can help you decide where to go. If you plan to attain a masters degree, you may prefer a combined bachelor’s/masters degree program. Depending on the field you wish to work in, you may need to take a State-licensing exam. If this is the case, find out how many recent grads passed.

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Rehabilitation & Therapy Degree Programs

A variety of degree programs are available in the Rehabilitation & Therapy major ranging from certificate programs to masters degree programs. For a career as a physical therapist or occupational therapist assistant, most students attend a career college, technical school, community college, college or university to earn an associates degree. Though, some certificate programs will qualify you to work in Rehabilitation & Therapy as well.

To increase you earning potential, you can seek more advanced bachelors degrees and masters degrees in Rehabilitation & Therapy from colleges and universities. To work as a physical therapist for example, you’ll need a masters degree.

Generally, degree programs in Rehabilitation & Therapy include both supervised fieldwork and classroom instruction. You can expect courses in principles of human movement, motor development, rehabilitation procedures, disease and disability, statistical methods, gerontology, evidence-based practice, leadership and management and kinesiology.

Rehabilitation & Therapy Degree Programs:

Online Rehabilitation & Therapy Degree Programs at Online Schools

If you wish to attain an online degree in Rehabilitation & Therapy from an online school, you have several options. Studying physical or occupational therapy through an online school can be challenging since much of the focus is on patient care and human movement. However, some areas are easier than others such as Rehabilitation Counseling. Other types of online degree programs in Rehabilitation & Therapy may include both online school coursework and an in-person clinical rotation. You’ll find online schools offering certificate programs, associates degrees, bachelors degrees and masters degrees.

Online Rehabilitation & Therapy Degree Programs:

Online Rehabilitation & Therapy Schools:

High School Preparation

If you want to study Rehabilitation & Therapy in college, you can prepare in high school by focusing on math and science. AP biology and chemistry courses will give occupation and physical therapy candidates a leg up, while most physical and occupational assistant programs require at least a C in course like algebra and biology. Stay in shape by hitting the gym or playing on a sports team. To impress college admissions officers, log volunteer hours at hospital, nursing care facility or other type of health care facility.

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Popular Careers in the Field of Rehabilitation & Therapy

Going to college for Rehabilitation & Therapy can prepare you for a variety of careers including Recreational Therapists and Rehabilitation Counselors. Many students with a certificate or associates degree pursue a career as a physical therapy assistant or occupational therapy assistant. The job prospects for both of these fields are expected to be excellent over the next decade. Employment can be found in therapist’s offices, hospitals, nursing care facilities, doctor’s offices, outpatient care centers and home health care services. Salaries for these careers generally fall between $35,000 and $50,000 annually.

Students who graduate from Rehabilitation & Therapy programs with a bachelors degree usually are more favorable to employers and may be qualified for more advanced positions.

However, for the highest salaries in Rehabilitation & Therapy, you should attain a masters degree in Physical Therapy or Occupation Therapy. Both fields are expected to grow much faster than average careers. Physical Therapists and Occupational Therapists work in hospitals, but others work in rehabilitation centers, home health care services, outpatient care centers, nursing care facilities, adult day care programs and schools. Yearly salaries for a career in occupation therapy are in the $50,000 to $74,000 range. A career in physical therapy will yield a slightly higher annual income at around $55,000 to $78,000.

While all physical therapists and occupational therapists must pass a licensing exam to begin practicing in their career, a license isn’t always required for physical and occupational therapy assistants. To impress employers, get licensed anyway.

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