Physical Therapy
Physical therapists work with people who have been physically disabled by illness or accident or who are born with a handicap. As a member of the health care team, the physical therapist works to develop and deliver appropriate treatment programs for the relief of pain, prevention of deformity, improvement of strength, development of coordination and increase in functional ability. Treatment may involve exercise, in conjunction with the application of heat, cold, water, electricity, ultrasound, traction and/or massage. Their work is often closely coordinated with that of the Occupational Therapist, because both fields involve training patients to improve their motor abilities.
Most physical therapy programs are at the doctoral-level and take about three years to complete. Successful completion of a state-administered national exam is required to obtain licensure.
Application Guide
Learn more about the admission criteria for most physical therapy programs.
Michigan Physical Therapy School Prerequisites
View course requirements for Michigan physical therapy schools.
Application Cycle Data
View average admissions data for the 2021-2022 application cycle, including number of applications received, average GPA and GRE scores, and programs MSU graduates were accepted to.
Additional Resources
Explore this profession further by accessing links to national associations, career profiles, and student resources.