Careers
Building Strong Communities
As a physical therapist you'll treat people of all ages — from newborns to the very oldest — who have medical problems or other health-related conditions that limit their abilities to move and perform functional activities in their daily lives. Physical therapists also work with patients to prevent the loss of ability before it occurs by developing fitness and wellness programs.
Quality of Life
Physical therapists help patients manage pain and avoid dependence on pain medication. They improve balance to prevent falls and injuries, treat health issues like joint pain and osteoarthritis, and help manage lung and heart disease. Physical therapists also treat sports injuries and reduce the risk of future sport injuries.
A Variety of Settings
Physical therapists provide care for people in hospitals, private practices, outpatient clinics, home health agencies, schools, sports and fitness facilities, work settings, and nursing homes.
Filling A Need
The American Physical Therapy Association predicts a physical therapy shortage across the United States. Employment of physical therapists is projected to grow 34% between now and 2024, much faster than the average for all occupations, according to the United States Department of Labor. The State of Oregon estimates a 28% increase need for physical therapists over the next 10 years, especially in rural areas.
Employment Support
The OSU-Cascades Career Development Center provides free coaching and support to help graduates obtain employment upon graduation. Services provided include job search strategies, resume, C.V. and cover letter writing, interview coaching, job offer evaluation and salary negotiation.
Licensure
This program is designed to meet the educational requirements for a physical therapist as directed by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE). CAPTE is an accrediting agency that is nationally recognized by the US Department of Education (USDE) and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). CAPTE grants specialized accreditation status to qualified entry-level education programs for physical therapists. Upon graduation from an accredited Physical Therapy professional program, students will be eligible to sit for the National Physical Therapy Exam (NPTE). Students must then pass the NPTE exam to become a licensed Physical Therapist in the United States.
Applying for Licensure in Oregon
Doctor of Physical Therapy Students applying for licensure in Oregon should review the Oregon Board of Physical Therapy application checklist.
Applying for Licensure outside of Oregon
Each state might have additional supplemental requirements for state licensure such as an exam on state law related to physical therapy practice. Students are encouraged to become familiar with those additional supplemental requirements, if any, for each state they are considering seeking licensure.