Physical Therapy Schools in Virginia

Virginia is the 12th most populous state in the U.S. It is known for its growing economy and for being home to twenty Fortune 500 companies.

Physical therapy is branch of healthcare that deals with the well-being and recovery of patients who are recuperating from illnesses or injuries. Physical therapists are required to have full knowledge of the human body and are taught methods to restore mobility and functional ability of different body parts through various methods of therapy.

What are the requirements for physical therapy schools in Virginia?

Most physical therapy degrees are available at graduate level and can lead to either a master’s or a doctorate degree. Although, requirements for physical therapy schools in Virginia may vary depending on the institute you select, following are some of the general requirements.

• Four year undergraduate degree from an accredited institute
• Undergraduate coursework should include biology, chemistry, physics, anatomy, physiology, English, statistics, and psychology
• Satisfactory score on Graduate Record Examination (GRE)
• Satisfactory grade point average (GPA)
• Certain hours of volunteer or paid work in the field of physical therapy

How long does physical therapy schools take in Virginia?

You can obtain a physical therapy degree at several levels. The level of education you will require depends on your career goals. Following are the major degrees offered in the field of physical therapy.

• Associate degree in physical therapy will take around two years. It is for those individuals who want to begin their work right away.


• Bachelor’s degree in physical therapy will take around four years, but newer standards require a master’s degree from those who wish to continue their education.


• Master’s degree takes two years to complete but these programs are slowly dying in favor of doctorate programs, which are considered more prestigious.


• Doctor of Physical Therapy degree is the industry standard for professional therapists and it takes four years (three years in doctoral program and one year in specialization).

Physical therapy schools in Virginia offer a range of programs for people interested in this discipline. The most basic education in physical therapy is the Certificate of Physical Therapy (CPT) that can be obtained from a number of physical therapy schools in Virginia. People who want to go for advanced education can complete a bachelor's or master's degree in physical therapy. Doctoral programs in physical therapy are also available at some physical therapy schools in Virginia. Some of the subjects covered in these programs include mental healthcare, basic healthcare guidelines, anatomy, physiology, medical terminology, disability therapy and physical rehabilitation techniques.

How much does physical therapy schools cost in Virginia?

If you are looking for a physical therapy school in Virginia, you will need to keep in mind certain factors that determine the cost of a physical therapy school. Tuition costs normally vary depending on where the school is located and if it is a private or a public school. Plus, it also depends on whether you are paying out-of-state and or in-state tuition fees. The following estimates will give you a rough idea of the cost of earning a physical therapy degree in Virginia.

• In-state public college cost ranges between $8,000 and 13,000 annually
• Out-of-state public college cost ranges between $21,000 and $27,000 annually
• Private college cost ranges between 28,000 and 42,000 annually

In order to work as a physical therapist, you must also be licensed by the Virginia Board of Physical Therapy. Physical therapists can possibly work in a number of healthcare settings including hospitals, private clinics and rehabilitation centers. Their employment is expected to increase by 36% from 2012 to 2022 as reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Their salaries are also quite competitive. The BLS further reports that the median annual wage of physical therapists was $82,390 in May 2014.