Top-rated Physical Therapy Schools

"U.S. News and World Report" publishes a biannual list of the United States' top-rated physical therapy schools. The ranks are compiled based on expert opinions about the program quality and statistical indicators that measure the quality of a school's faculty, research and students. Physical therapy is a graduate-level program that teaches students to identify and improve a patient's quality of life and movement potential through promotion, prevention, treatment, intervention and rehabilitation.

University of Southern California

"U.S. News and Wold Report" ranks the University of Southern California's (USC) Department of Biokinesiology and Physical Therapy as the top-rated physical therapy school in the United States. USC offers a master's level graduate program in the field of physical therapy. The program is more than 60 years old, and it emphasizes research, practice and clinical expertise. Professors at the school are some of the world's top clinicians and researchers in the field of physical therapy. USC was the first school to offer a Ph.D. in physical therapy, and the school was also an innovator in the concept of biokinesiology, the study of movement from a biological or health-oriented perspective to the physical therapy field.

University of Southern California
Department of Biokinesiology and Physical Therapy
1540 Alcazar St., CHP 155
Los Angeles, CA 90089
323-442-2900
pt.usc.edu

University of Pittsburgh

"U.S. News and World Report" ranks the University of Pittsburgh School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences' physical therapy program as the second best physical therapy program in the United States. The University of Pittsburgh offers a three-year, full-time graduate-level program leading to the Doctor of Physical Therapy degree. The program emphasizes movement and educates future practitioners to help people of all ages overcome movement and mobility challenges. The curriculum focuses on science and practice emphasizing evidence-based practice. The school also works closely with the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center and its partner, the Centers for Rehab Services.

University of Pittsburgh
Department of Physical Therapy
4020 Forbes Tower
Pittsburgh , PA 15260
412-383-6558
shrs.pitt.edu/dpt

Washington University in St. Louis

"U.S. News and World Report" ranks the Washington University in St. Louis physical therapy program as the third best physical therapy program in the United States. The school offers a graduate level program in physical therapy sciences. The program focuses on the advancement of diagnoses related to movement dysfunction as a basis for choosing among management options. The school also emphasizes health and wellness as a means for improving the quality of life of patients.

Washington University in St. Louis
Program in Physical Therapy
4444 Forest Park Blvd.
St. Louis, MO 63108
314-286-1400
physicaltherapy.wustl.edu

References

• The University of Southern California
• University of Pittsburgh
• Washington University in St. Louis
• U.S. News and World Report: Rankings--Physical Therapy