There are a number of goof physical therapy programs in Georgia that you will be able to take advantage of as a student in this discipline. When choosing from among the options remember to keep your focus on schools that are accredited and that have good reputations. Creating a list of priorities and criteria that you would like your ideal school to meet before you begin your search will also narrow down your options and make your selection easier.
How To Become A Physical Therapist In Georgia
Becoming A Physical Therapist In Georgia
To begin you will need to earn the following two degrees in the order laid out here:
- A bachelor’s degree in a health care field
- A physical therapy degree program, typically two to three years in length
You then need to apply for the National Physical Therapy Examination. This is a standardized exam that is required of all physical therapists in Georgia. It assesses your basic competence in the area of physical therapy. The exam, which is overseen by the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy, is available at many testing centers across the state, making it fairly easy for a prospective physical therapist to make their way to an exam venue with the intention of writing the exam. There are fees involved in taking this examination:
- You will need to pay a $350 fee to write the exam
- In addition you will need to pay a fee to the testing center
- These fees also apply if the exam is failed and needs to be re-taken
Therefore it is not very financially viable to fail the exam. Each and every time you fail you will need to pay these expensive fees again. Candidates who are not successful on the first attempt may retake the test up to three times in a year. Essentially you can keep trying until you pass, but this can be expensive. Proper preparation for the first exam you write is the best method. Once you have done this you will need to submit the following to the Georgia Board of Physical Therapy:
- Your scores
- An application for licensure
- Personal information including your name, address, phone number and other demographics
- Official transcripts from your universities
- Dates of attendance/completion
- Degrees received
The licensure fee is $75 and this license is valid for a two-year period after which time it must be renewed.
Step By Step: How To Become A Physical Therapist In Georgia
According to http://www.alliedhealthworld.com this is the step-by-step process involved in becoming a physical therapist in Georgia:
- Determine a course of study for a bachelor’s degree (typically in a science field such as chemistry, biomechanics, biology, or kinesiology).
- Determine an appropriate graduate program in physical therapy (master’s degree or a doctorate degree).
- Complete the educational and clinical requirements for the chosen graduate program.
- Obtain and complete the application form and documentation required for the National Physical Therapy Exam.
- Contact the testing agency to schedule your exam appointment.
- Successful completion of the national exam.
- Obtain and complete the application form and documentation required by the Georgia Board of Physical Therapy for a physical therapy license.
- Submit licensure documentation along with the appropriate fees.
- Successful completion of licensure application leads to active licensure status.
- Adhere to Georgia Board of Physical Therapy’s code of ethics, standards of practice, and continuing education requirements in order to maintain licensure in good standing.
List Of Physical Therapy Programs In Georgia
Georgia offers quite a few excellent options for students who want to become physical therapists:
Armstrong Atlantic State University
Location: Savannah, GA
Degree: Masters
Program Homepage: http://www.pt.armstrong.edu/
Founded/Established: 1935
Contact Information:
11935 Abercorn Street
Savannah
GA 31419
Phone: 1-800-633-2349 or 912-344-2576
Type: 4-year, Public
Institutional Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges
Emory University
Location: Atlanta, GA
Degree: Doctorate
Program Homepage: http://rehabmed.emory.edu/pt/
Founded/Established: 1836
Contact Information:
201 Dowman Drive
Atlanta
GA 30322
Phone: 404-727-6123
Type: 4-year, Private not-for-profit
Institutional Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges
Georgia State University
Location: Atlanta, GA
Degree: Doctorate
Program Homepage: http://chhs.gsu.edu/pt/
Founded/Established: 1913
Contact Information:
33 Gilmer Street
Atlanta
GA 30303
Phone: 404-413-2000
Type: 4-year, Public
Institutional Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges
Medical College of Georgia
Location: Augusta, GA
Degree: Doctorate
Program Homepage: http://www.georgiahealth.edu/alliedhealth/pt/
Founded/Established: 1822
Contact Information:
1120 15th Street
Augusta
GA 30912
Phone: 706-721-0211
Type: 4-year, Public
Institutional Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges
North Georgia College and State University
Location: Dahlonega, GA
Degree: Masters
Program Homepage: http://www.northgeorgia.edu/PT/
Founded/Established: 1873
Contact Information:
82 College Circle
Dahlonega
GA 30597
Phone: 706-864-1400
Type: 4-year, Public
Institutional Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges
It is extremely important that you only attend schools that are accredited by the appropriate bodies, such as the ones listed here. A school that is not accredited will get you nowhere as your qualification will count for very little. Apart from the practical implications the accreditation of a school also speaks for its reputation. A school that is not accredited is probably one that does not meet the basic requirements for the state of Georgia and should not be considered on that basis.
Pay
In the state of Georgia there are about 3820 physical therapy jobs available each year. The hourly rate for physical therapists in this state is about $36.79 and they can earn around $70,530 a year.
- In Albany you can expect to earn in the region of $64,115 a year
- In Fort Gordon you can expect to earn in the region of $74,684 a year
- In Athens you can expect to earn in the region of $62,928 a year
- In Lawrenceville you can expect to earn in the region of $69,769 a year
- In Atlanta you can expect to earn in the region of $69,769 a year
- In Macon you can expect to earn in the region of $75,895 a year
- In Augusta you can expect to earn in the region of $72,055 a year
- In Norcross you can expect to earn in the region of $69,769 a year
- In Austell you can expect to earn in the region of $69,769 a year
- In Savannah you can expect to earn in the region of $71,614 a year
- In Columbus you can expect to earn in the region of $78,130 a year
- In Suwanee you can expect to earn in the region of $69,769 a year
- In Conyers you can expect to earn in the region of $69,769 a year
- In Warner Robins you can expect to earn in the region of $46,531 a year
The potential salaries that are available in this state are extremely good, making it one of the better states to become a physical therapist in. knowing where you physical therapy program is taking you can make a big impact on your decision to pursue the career. In addition to the factors mentioned above you will also find that the salary you will be eligible to earn can vary significantly based on a number of other important factors. These factors include the employer you work for, the industry you work in, your level of education and, in some cases, even your gender plays a role.
Career Outlook
The career outlook for a physical therapist in any state is extremely good especially as the profession is expected to increase by 39 percent from 2010 to 2020. What this means is that there will be an increase in the number of jobs available in Georgia. At the moment there are about 3820 physical therapy jobs available each year in this state with more projected to become available in the very near future.
There are a number of similar occupations that you could consider branching out into which have better career and salary prospects:
- Audiologists need a Doctoral or professional degree and earn around $66,660 a year
- Chiropractors need a Doctoral or professional degree and earn around $67,200 a year
- Occupational therapist need a Master’s degree and earn around $72,320 a year
- Recreational therapists need a Bachelor’s degree and earn around $39,410 a year
- Speech-language pathologists need a Master’s degree and earn around $66,920 a year
These physical therapy programs in Georgia are aimed at preparing you for a career as a physical therapist and most of them have a very good reputation for achieving this goal. Entering the realm of physical therapy can have a significant impact on your life moving forward as more and more people succumb to the physical stress of modern life and require the aid of physical therapists and their assistants. Provided you meet the entry criteria to enroll in a good program, you should have very little trouble becoming a physical therapist, provided you are prepared to work hard.