[Requirements can change at any time

CENTER FOR CAREER & PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Planning for Physical and Occupational

Therapy School

Center for Career & Professional Development Prothro Center, Ste. 140 512.863.1346 pirate2pro@southwestern.edu southwestern.edu/careers

What Is Physical Therapy?

Physical therapists (PTs) diagnose and treat patients of all ages

who have physical conditions which impair their ability to move

and perform functional activities. They examine patients and

determine a course of treatment to promote ability to move,

reduce pain, restore function, and prevent disability. They also

work to prevent loss of mobility before it occurs by developing

fitness and wellness programs for more active lifestyles. PTs

treat patients who have suffered injuries, burns, amputations,

strokes, or who have arthritis, multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy,

or other conditions that have caused a loss of ability to move

normally. PTs help patients perform therapeutic exercises using

functional training, manual therapy techniques, assistive and

adaptive devices and equipment, and physical agents and

electrotherapeutic modalities.

The median annual wage of PTs was $91,010 in May 2020.

Employment of PTs is expected to increase 18 percent from

2019 to 2029, much faster than the average for all occupations.

Demand for physical therapy services will come, in large part,

from the aging baby boomers, who are staying active later in life

compared to previous generations.

Certification involves a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) from a

school accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in

Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE). DPT programs typically

take three years. Students must also take a licensure exam.

What Is Occupational Therapy?

Occupational therapy is a health profession that provides

services to people whose lives have been disrupted by disabling

conditions. Occupational therapists (OTs) treat physical injury

and illness, developmental problems, problems related to aging,

and accompanying social or psychological difficulties by helping

patients develop skills, routines, and techniques for day-to-day

living. They help patients recover basic motor function, improve

memory skills, and use adaptive equipment. In addition to

helping patients improve their ability to navigate their daily lives,

OTs help communities reduce disability by identifying and

addressing the factors that hinder health development. For

example, OTs who work with children may modify classroom

equipment and help children participate in activities aimed at

developing such skills as following directions and personal

grooming. Those who work with the elderly may work on driving

independence or assess homes for hazards to prevent falling.

The median annual wage of occupational therapists was $86,280

in May 2020. Employment of occupational therapists is expected

to increase 16 percent from 2019 to 2029, much faster than the

average for all occupations. Occupational therapy will continue

to be an important part of treatment for people with various

illnesses and disabilities, such as Alzheimer’s disease, cerebral

palsy, autism, or the loss of a limb. While most OTs are

employed in healthcare facilities (such as hospitals and long-term

care facilities), about a quarter work in early intervention and/or

school-based practice.

Occupational therapists must obtain a Master’s degree or higher.

The entry-level degree requirement for the occupational

therapist will move to the doctoral level (OTD) by July 1, 2027.

Work Environment

Physical therapists practice in hospitals, outpatient clinics, and

private offices with specially-equipped facilities. These jobs can

be physically demanding; therapists may have to stoop, kneel,

crouch, lift, and stand for long periods. In addition to moving

patients and helping them turn, stand, or walk, PTs also move

heavy equipment and are at risk for back injuries. In 2019, most

full-time physical therapists worked a 40-hour week with normal

business hours, though some worked evenings and weekends to

fit their patients' schedules. About 20 percent worked part-time.

Occupational therapists also generally work 40-hour weeks,

though about one-third of OTs work part-time. OTs may work

nights or weekends to accommodate patients’ schedules, and

many work for multiple facilities and have significant travel time.

Those who are employed in large rehabilitation centers work with

large machines, equipment, and noise-generating devices. Like

PTs, OTs face long hours on their feet and the hazard of back

strain from moving patients and equipment.

Prerequisites for PT and OT Programs

ACADEMIC

Most graduate programs in PT and OT require completion of an

undergraduate degree, ideally with a GPA of 3.5 or higher, while

a few will admit students after three years of undergraduate

study. Application requirements vary by school and may change

at any time, so visit school websites often for the most up-to-

date information.

In Texas, PT and OT program prerequisites

are very similar and usually require the following courses:

 General biology (most programs require a lab component)

 General chemistry

 Anatomy/physiology with labs

 Physics

 Statistics

 Psychology

Programs may also require genetics, English and technical

writing, speech, medical terminology, and sociology.

NON-ACADEMIC: PAID OR VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE

While academics are important, many PT and OT programs also

require applicants to spend a certain number of hours (from a

minimum of 20 to more than 100) gaining hands-on patient

contact. Local PT/OT volunteer opportunities include:

 Texas Physical Therapy Specialists, Georgetown

 St. David’s Georgetown and Round Rock Hospitals, Cardiac

Rehabilitation

 Ride On Center for Kids (ROCK), Georgetown

 Easter Seals Central Texas, Round Rock

 KidWorks Therapy Services, Austin

 North Austin Medical Center

 OT Connection, Pflugerville

 Reavis Rehab & Wellness Center, Round Rock

 Wellness Matters Physical Therapy, Austin

Becoming a Physical or Occupational Therapist

PT PROGRAMS IN TEXAS

Angelo State University, Hardin-Simmons University, Texas State

University, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Texas

Woman’s University (Denton), University of North Texas Health

Science Center (Fort Worth), University of the Incarnate Word,

University of Mary Hardin-Baylor, U.S. Army-Baylor University,

UT El Paso, UT Health Science Center at San Antonio, UT

Medical Branch at Galveston, UT Southwestern Medical Center

at Dallas, University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences

OT PROGRAMS IN TEXAS

Abilene Christian University, Texas Tech University Health

Sciences Center, Texas Woman's University (Denton, Dallas,

Houston), University of St. Augustine, Austin, UT El Paso, UT

Health Science Center at San Antonio, UT Medical Branch at

Galveston, UT Rio Grande Valley

Application Process

Applying to PT and OT schools is a long process, and you should

plan on applying one year in advance of enrollment. Because

each program has its own admissions process and requirements

change from year to year, you should contact individual schools

to determine admission requirements and application deadlines.

PTCAS/OTCAS

Many, but not all, PT and OT programs require applicants to

apply through the Physical Therapist Centralized Application

Service (PTCAS), a service of the American Physical Therapy

Association (APTA), or the Occupational Therapist Centralized

Application Service (OTCAS), through the American

Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA). Each CAS allows

applicants to use a single application and one set of materials to

apply to multiple programs. Applications typically open in July

while application deadlines vary by school. Apply early—your

application typically takes 4-5 weeks to process.

TESTING

Most PT and OT programs require applicants to take the GRE

General Exam (www.gre.org). Minimum scores accepted will vary

between institutions.

RECOMMENDATIONS

Generally, three letters of recommendation or recommendation

forms are required. You should also gather one additional letter

from an instructor (preferably in the sciences) and one from an

employer or volunteer advisor.

PERSONAL STATEMENT/ESSAYS

Applications will generally require one or several essays about

your interest in and preparation for becoming a physical or

occupational therapist.

THE INTERVIEW

The interview is typically the last step of the admissions process.

It allows the admissions committee to learn more about you, and

you to learn more about the school. A tour of the school’s

facilities may be provided the day of the interview. The interview

day also provides additional opportunities to ask questions of the

committee and the tour guide.

Additional Resources

 Bureau of Labor Statistics: Physical Therapists

http://www.bls.gov/ooh/Healthcare/Physical-

therapists.htm

 American Physical Therapy Association,

http://www.apta.org

 Texas Physical Therapy Association

http://www.tpta.org/

 Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Therapists

http://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/occupational-

therapists.htm

 American Occupational Therapy Association

http://www.aota.org/

 Texas Occupational Therapy Association

http://www.tota.org

 Physical Therapist Centralized Application Service

http://www.ptcas.org/Home.aspx

 Occupational Therapist Centralized Application Service

https://otcas.liaisoncas.com/applicant-ux/#/login

Adapted from:

Health Professions Office, UT Austin; Professional & Graduate

Advising, TAMU; APTA; US Department of Labor Bureau of

Labor Statistics