• Physical therapists require extensive training.massage therapy at the spa image by MAXFX from Fotolia.com
  
  Physical Therapists diagnose and treat individuals that have limited mobility due to disease, illness or injury. Therapists develop treatment options that reduce a patient's pain, restore function of the extremities, and prevent disability. Physical Therpists require extensive training and education and most programs offer graduate and post-graduate degrees that are completed within 2 to 3 years.
  
  According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Physical therapy careers are expected to grow much faster than average over the next few years. Some physical therapy colleges in Georgia offer students the opportunity to obtain physical therapy assistants degrees as well as master's and doctoral degrees.
  
  

Armstrong Atlantic State University

• Armstrong Atlantic State University in Savannah, Georgia offers physical therapy education through their College of Health Professions. The school presents a 36 month program with a curriculum designed to prepare students for the National Physical Therapy license examination. Class sizes are small with about 20 to 24 students each. Clinical facilities include an anatomy lab, an exercise physiology lab, and athletic training facility to name a few. Students begin short rotations and clinical training within their first semester in the program.
  
  Armstrong offers an undergraduate program that leads to a Bachelor's in Rehabilitation Science. This program has a strong science curriculum that meets many prerequisite requirements for entry into most physical therapy programs. The physical therapy program at Armstrong leads to a Doctorate of Physical Therapy. The professional curriculum focuses on musculoskeletal, cardiopulmonary, and neuromuscular physical therapy. Admission to the program requires an overall grade point average of 2.8 on a 4.0 scale as well as several science and statistic prerequisite courses.
  
  Armstrong Atlantic State University
  11935 Abercorn St
  Savannah, GA 31419-1997
  (912) 344-2806
  armstrong.edu
  
  

Emory University

• Emory University in Atlanta grants a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree. The institution also grants dual degrees. Students may earn their Doctor of Physical Therapy degree in conjunction with a Master of Public Health or Master of Business Administration. The physical therapy professional doctorate program takes approximately 35 months to complete. Within their first year of study, students learn the normal function of the human body and by the beginning of their third semester, students are introduced to pathophysiology and disease processes.
  
  Prior to graduation, students are required to complete 36 weeks of a full-time clinical internship. The internship is complete in health care facilities across Atlanta or even the nation. Students return to Emory to complete their studies and graduate.
  
  Emory University
  201 Dowman Drive
  Atlanta, GA 30322
  (404) 727-6123
  emory.edu
  
  

South University

• South University's College of Health Professions grants an Associate's of Science in Physical Therapy Assisting. The program is designed for students that desire to have a career in physical therapy but are not quite ready for graduate school or doctorate programs. Students enrolled in the physical therapy assistant program are supervised by physical therapists. They learn how to provide rehabilitative services to accident victims as well as patients with disabling conditions. Assistants support therapists in providing services to these victims to help relieve pain and improve mobility.
  
  Students are required to take courses in mathematics, humanities and social sciences. The first year of study consists of two semesters of Human Anatomy and Physiology with lab, general math, public speaking and medical terminology. Students must complete all prerequisite courses prior to beginning the professional level of their physical therapy program.
  
  South University
  709 Mall Boulevard
  Savannah, GA 31406
  (912) 201-8000
  southuniversity.edu