After covering the Top 10 Pharmacy Schools, we’re now back with a list of the Top 10 Physical Therapy Schools in 2016 that will provide you with the knowledge, training and accredited degree you need to become a professional physical therapist in the United States. These are the top physical therapy schools in the country according to data gathered from multiple official sources, based on their license exam pass rate, variety of programs, reputation, reliability, faculty and other decisive factors. They are widely regarded as some of the best physical therapy schools for those aspiring for a career in this area, but please note that the institutions we have included on are list are in no particular order. Before we get into detail about each of these best schools for physical therapy, we want to show you the benefits of studying to get a physical therapy degree and why you might want to pursue a career as a physical therapist. Read everything you need to know about the best schools for physical therapy below and see if this is the right professional path for you.

Why Study for a Physical Therapy Degree in the Top Physical Therapy Schools?

There are multiple reasons to support studying for a physical therapy degree. First of all, you need to know that you should search for physical therapy schools that provide accredited degree programs; otherwise, you might risk losing a future job opportunity by not meeting education requirements and standards. Now that we have this fundamental aspect covered, here are some of the rewards that studying at one of the top physical therapy schools offers for students:

• Developing a career in a field of activity that will genuinely help the ones around you.
• Sharpening your social skills by working face to face with patients.
• The job outlook for physical therapists in the United States is continuously on the rise (the Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that the demand for professionals in this area will increase by 30% in the 2008-2018 time period – a very fast rate compared to many other careers).
• You can easily choose the location of your workplace, as physical therapists are needed all across the United States.
• You can expand your career by starting your own business. The American Physical Therapy Association shows that 21.6% of professionals in physical therapy have their own practice (or are partners of one).

If you believe that being a physical therapist is the right occupation for you, take a look at some of the best physical therapy schools in the USA below.

1. MGH Institute of Health Professions

The MGH Institute is a well-respected grad school that was founded by Massachusetts General Hospital. It is located in Boston, which is an excellent area for health care and ongoing education. Their most praised program is the Doctor of Physical Therapy, regarded as the #1 program in New England and the 7^th top physical therapy school in the country (according to U.S. News & World Report). They offer hands-on training through their on campus PT Center, allowing students to work directly with patients while being supervised by their mentors. The MGH Institute of Health Professions faculty is widely appreciated for their training and the support they offer students.

2. US Army-Baylor University

The prestigious US Army-Baylor University Doctoral Program in Physical Therapy is a fine solution for students who want to become physical therapists in the future. The school is located in San Antonio, Texas, and provides an amazing opportunity for ambitious students. Those who shine through perseverance with their studies have the chance of being recruited for the military. This means that they will be selected and trained as officers in the United States Navy or the United States Army. US Army-Baylor University has been training future physical therapists since 1971, permanently upgrading their programs to meet the finest academic requirements.

3. University of Delaware

The Department of Physical Therapy at the University of Delaware is clearly known as being one of the top physical therapy schools in the United States, ranked #2 in the U.S. News & World Report. Their Doctor of Physical Therapy program has been accredited since 1976 by the Commission on Accreditation of Physical Therapy Education. The University of Delaware owns 5 Physical Therapy Clinics that not only help students get proper training, but also aid in the rehabilitation process for individuals in their area. This department also takes part in a series of additional educational programs, such as their series of Clinical Fellowship Programs or the Interdisciplinary PHD Program in Biomechanics and Movement Sciences.

4. Washington University in St. Louis

The Physical Therapy Program of the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis is another one of the best physical therapy schools you can take into consideration for your higher education. The faculty specifically focuses upon the human movement system as a fundamental part of physical therapy, but also on promoting wellness and health. Their strong philosophy and dedicated faculty (decorated with multiple honors and awards from various organizations) are some of the reasons why the Washington University in St. Louis Physical Therapy Program is one of the most celebrated in the country.

5. University of Southern California

According to the U.S. News and World Report, the University of Southern California Division of Biokinesiology and Physical Therapy is the #1 Physical Therapy School in the United States. Even more so, it has maintained this rank – according to the source mentioned above – for the past 12 years. Not only does this school focus upon intensive training and clinical practice, but it also promotes thorough research in this field of activity. Students who choose their Physical Therapy Programs contain: Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) Degree, Residencies and Continuing Education, depending on your academic level at the moment.

6. University of Miami

The University of Miami Miller School of Medicine Department of Physical Therapy has been preparing students to become exceptional physical therapists for the past 30 years. Their Department of Physical Therapy is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) and provides students with two options for their doctoral degrees: a PhD (academic doctoral degree) in Physical Therapy, or a DPT (Doctor of Physical Therapy), an entry-level clinical doctoral degree that requires three years of studies.

7. Northwestern University

The part of Northwestern University that provides a Physical Therapy and Human Movement Sciences division is the Feinberg School of Medicine. What makes the program provided by the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine stand out from others in the top physical therapy schools list by U.S. & World Report is that it is the oldest program of physical therapy in the United States. They also focus upon research in movement and rehabilitation sciences and train students to reach academic excellence, as well as professional prestige.

8. University of Pittsburgh

The School of Health & Rehabilitation Sciences runs the Department of Physical Therapy at the University of Pittsburgh. It is nationally appreciated as one of the best physical therapy schools in the United States, making ‘top’ lists multiple times. In addition to this, the University Of Pittsburgh Department Of Health Sciences is one of the top 5 research institutions funded by the National Institutes of Health, meaning that students who succeed in getting into this university benefit from one of the most well-rated theoretical and practical training programs around.

9. Emory University

The Emory University School of Medicine has an exceptional Division of Physical Therapy located in Atlanta, Georgia. They have several Doctor of Physical Therapy programs available for students, including their Doctor of Physical Therapy Program, their DPT/MA-Bioethics Program, DPT/MBA, DPT/MPH, DPT/PhD, Orthopedic Residency Program and Neurologic Residency Program. With a large variety of programs to choose from, any student would be happy and grateful for being accepted into the Emory University School of Medicine.

10. University of Iowa

The Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Science Department of the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine is a wonderful way to start studying to become a top physical therapist. The school has programs that are widely appreciated on a national level: their Doctoral of Physical Therapy degree and their MA/PhD degree in Rehabilitation Science for those interested in thorough research and development. No matter whether you choose to study for a DPT, MA or PhD degree with the University of Iowa, you will surely receive the knowledge and expertise you need to thrive in this area.