What is the best college to go to if you are planning on attending a physical therapy program after college?

Question

I want to become a physical therapist but I don't know where to get my bachelors...

I live in texas, and this is eventually where I would want to practice.

Answer 1

From U.S. News & World Report
America's Best Graduate Schools 2007
Health: Physical Therapy (Master's/Doctorate)
Ranked in 2004*

Rank/School/Average assessment score (5.0 = highest)
1. University of Southern California 4.3
2. Washington University in St. Louis 4.1
3. University of Pittsburgh 4.0

If you want to go to school in Texas, here is a list of accredited schools (from the APTA website: http://www.apta.org/AM/Template.cfm?section=PT_Programs&template=/aptaapps/accreditedschools/acc_schools_map.cfm&process=3&type=PT ):

Angelo State University
Hardin-Simmons University
Texas State University-San Marcos
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center
Texas Woman's University
The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston
University of Texas at El Paso
University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas
US Army-Baylor University

Answer 2

I hate to answer a question with a question, but where do you want to practice? Each state has its own rules regarding the regulation and licensing of health professionals (I am a state regulator for Florida). Some states exempt PT's trained in that state from a State Board, while requiring out of state trained PT's to challenge the Board. Additionally, in some states, you may be able to practice with a Bachelor's degree. Florida requires a Master's degree in order to practice and a Doctorate in order to own a Rehab center without a Medical Doctor overseeing it. So it really depends on where you want to practice.

Answer 3

Why do a PT program after college? There are many good PT bachelor's programs. My brother got his BA in PT from the University of Connecticut. I'm not sure how UConn ranks in the PT world, but he's making a pretty good living now.

Answer 4

Go to the University of Pittsburgh for the whole thing. They have a highly rated P.T. program!