Liberal Arts & Science – Mathematics/Science: Physical Therapy Concentration

People who succeed in physical therapy enjoy working as part of teams in health care settings caring for people of all ages with a variety of health problems.

Physical therapists work directly with people to enhance movement and foster optimal health and functional ability. Patients include those who have sustained injury or illness, have developmental deficits, have age-related problems or need preventive care.

Physical therapists examine and evaluate patients to determine functional abilities such as walking, work capacity and community activities. They may examine and evaluate strength, sensation, joint mobility, endurance, pain, reflexes and movement skill of patients. They plan therapy programs that may include exercises to improve functional abilities by increasing strength, endurance, balance, coordination and range of motion. Interventions also include massage, traction, ultrasound, water, heat, electricity and joint mobilizations. Physical therapists work with all systems of the body, including the muscular, skeletal, circulatory, respiratory and nervous systems. 

Physical therapists work as members of health care teams in a variety of settings, including hospitals, rehabilitation centers, private practices, home-care agencies, schools, research centers, universities, extended care facilities, corporate or industrial health centers, and sports medicine centers. Advanced expertise leads to work in administration, consulting, research and education.