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Niche Areas
Of the many areas of physical therapy in which students and practitioners specialize, some of the most popular are:

• Clinical assessment
• Gerontology
• Neurophysiological therapeutics
• Orthopedic physical therapy
• Pediatric physical therapy ( www.collegeboard.com )LINK?

Types Of Associate, Undergraduate & Graduate Programs Available
Aside from the traditional degrees (Associate's, Bachelor's, and the various graduate degrees), you may also pursue several certifications in physical therapy, as well. For much like the certifications required of nurses, PTs must be certified to work in many states. They also must continually amass enough continuing education credits to keep their certification and to stay up-to-date with the latest developments in the field.

However, it is important to note that, while many different degrees are available to those who wish to pursue work in the field of physical therapy, "One who wants to work as a physical therapist must graduate, with a Master's or doctoral degree, from an accredited physical therapist educational program." ( careerplanning.about.com

Typical Admissions Requirements
Getting into physical therapy is much easier if you have some sort of academic background in a related field. However, it is not necessary. If you have a strong interest in physical therapy or athletics, and if you would like to spend your professional life helping other people with their various physical disabilities, then this field is right for you. If you know little about it, however, you may be wise to begin with an Associate's degree, which will provide you with the necessary background information to pursue a Bachelor's degree and eventually a graduate degree. Just take your time, learn what you need to learn, and pursue your goal with confidence.

Careers In This Field
There are many different areas of physical therapy to specialize in, but they are all generally considered under the physical therapy umbrella. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, however, there are related fields in which some of the same skills brought to bear on the work of physical therapists may be of use. They write:

"Physical therapists rehabilitate persons with physical disabilities. Others who work in the rehabilitation field include audiologists, chiropractors, occupational therapists, recreational therapists, rehabilitation counselors, respiratory therapists, and speech-language pathologists." ( www.bls.gov )

Salary Ranges In This Field
As has already been noted, a graduate degree is generally required to work as a fully-licensed physical therapist. The earnings in the various aspects of the field are as follows:

"Median annual earnings of physical therapists were $60,180 in May 2004. The middle 50 percent earned between $50,330 and $71,760. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $42,010, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $88,580. Median annual earnings in the industries employing the largest numbers of physical therapists in May 2004 were:

• Home health care services: $64,650
• Nursing care facilities: $61,720
• Office of physicians: $61,270
• General medical and surgical hospitals: $60,350
• Offices of other health practitioners: $60,130 ( www.bls.gov )

Future Outlook
"Employment of physical therapists is expected to grow much faster than the average for all occupations through 2014. The impact of proposed Federal legislation imposing limits on reimbursement for therapy services may adversely affect the short-term job outlook for physical therapists. However, over the long run, the demand for physical therapists should continue to rise as growth in the number of individuals with disabilities or limited function spurs demand for therapy services. Job opportunities should be particularly good in acute hospital, rehabilitation, and orthopedic settings, because the elderly receive the most treatment in these settings. The growing elderly population is particularly vulnerable to chronic and debilitating conditions that require therapeutic services. Also, the baby-boom generation is entering the prime age for heart attacks and strokes, increasing the demand for cardiac and physical rehabilitation. Further, young people will need physical therapy as technological advances save the lives of a larger proportion of newborns with severe birth defects.

Future medical developments also should permit a higher percentage of trauma victims to survive, creating additional demand for rehabilitative care. In addition, growth may result from advances in medical technology that could permit the treatment of more disabling conditions.

Widespread interest in health promotion also should increase demand for physical therapy services. A growing number of employers are using physical therapists to evaluate worksites, develop exercise programs, and teach safe work habits to employees in the hope of reducing injuries in the workplace." ( www.bls.gov )

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