If the beautiful tropical weather isn’t enough to convince you to study Physical Therapy in South Florida, Florida National University (FNU), a regionally accredited university in Miami has come up with a few collegiate advantages that might make you feel less guilty about migrating down south to earn your education.
- Earn Your Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) Degree in Two Years
If you’re interested in working in the healthcare industry, but don’t want to spend the years or money it typically takes for some professions, then you might want to consider enrolling into a PTA program. In this career, you’ll be able to directly care for patients and complete your college training in approximately two years.
The work of a PTA involves helping patients recover. This profession is needed when patients have a physical disability following surgery, an accident, disease, or anything that renders them immobile. The means of mobility is a PTA’s main goal for every patient. Since each patient’s case is different, it’s important for a PTA student to understand the basic anatomy of a human being as well as treatments for stimulation, balance and coordination, range of motion, and strength.
This type of in-depth training only takes a total of 78 credits.
- Meet Like-Minded Professionals
FNU is located in Miami, Florida, one of the most populated cities in the state. By attending a PTA program in Florida, you’ll have access to one of the biggest networking cities in the country. The healthcare industry is also increasing and the need for healthcare workers will too. Many healthcare students already realize this and are enrolling in academic medical programs at an increasingly rapid rate. As a PTA student, you can network with other like-minded professionals and possibly land the job of your dreams right here in sunny Florida. Since South Florida is an ever-growing population, this is a great advantage.
- Get Experience by Trained Professionals
By earning your associates degree in PTA at FNU, you will be trained on how to successfully execute a plan of care under the direction and supervision of a Physical Therapist. Students will be taught a wide variety of skills using appropriate teaching methods within the course curriculum. The PTA program is led by the Program Director Dr. Kelly Krenkel, DPT, and Academic Coordinator of Clinical Education Michael Gubieda, PTA. Both instructors have years of experience in different clinical settings, which makes them the perfect team to lead this accredited academic program.
- Great Weather All Year
In case you need reminding, Florida is one of the top visited places to vacation, surrounded by beautiful beaches and famous attractions. In addition to your academic studies, there should never be a boring moment while you’re studying in South Florida. Near the Bahamas and The Florida Keys, you can steal away for a mini vacation in between exams—if you have time!
Other Advantages to Study Physical Therapy
- Become Part of the American Physical Therapy Association
As a PTA student of an accredited program you can involve yourself in the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA). From this association, you will not only be able to obtain useful information, but also participate in the APTA as a member if you so wish to join. As an FNU graduate and APTA member, you’ll be able to continue engaging in life-long learning of career advancements in the physical therapy field. For more information about how you can involve yourself as a PTA student or graduate in the APTA, visit their official website.
- Financial Aid Opportunities Available
Almost every accredited university will have some sort of financial aid available to you, even if it’s just assisting you with federal aid. FNU has a list of tuition incentives that you might be eligible for. For more information on financial aid, visit our official webpage here.
- Learning from an Institution with Ties to the Community
FNU has a working relationship with OrthoNOW® Orthopedic Urgent Care Center as their official student-athlete medical provider and trainer. FNU’s academic program has benefited greatly from this union. While this is unrelated to the PTA program, FNU believes that this is relevant information as it demonstrates trust between the university and the community. If you’re considering enrolling in a PTA program, you want to consider a university that is a respected pillar not only professionally and academically, but also publically.
More about FNU’s PTA Program
FNU is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). FNU’s PTA program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE). There is no doubt that you’ll get the most out of your education with FNU! The CAPTE is nationally recognized by the United States Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. While the SACSCOC ensures that all courses at schools are well composed to offer a quality education, FNU took it a step further to make sure that the PTA program ranks alongside the PTA programs in the CAPTE database allowing its graduates to work in South FL or anywhere they wish in the country!
Get the Admissions Process Started Now
FNU’s PTA program takes two years to complete and occurs annually during the Fall semester. So, now is the time to start the admissions process. Contact our admissions office to find out what you need to do to enroll.
