What is physical therapy?

Physical therapy is a medical practice that helps those with injuries, diseases, and other physical limitations move and function better, as well as manage pain, through various treatments. The overall goal of physical therapy is to improve the life of the patient. Reaching that goal may involve the use of exercise, manipulation, manual therapy, electrophysical modalities, devices, and medication. The origins of physical therapy date back to the time of the famous Greek physician Hippocrates , who used hydrotherapy to help people with skin, joint, and muscle problems.

What kind of people are best suited for roles in physical therapy?

Anyone who is interested in a career in physical therapy and related practices should be interested in helping others better themselves. You should be able to maintain a positive attitude, even through trying circumstances, and you should be an excellent communicator. It's also important to be a keen observer and pay close attention to detail. You'll need to be physically strong as well, since the job sometimes requires you to lift and hold patients who can't stand on their own.

Why learn physical therapy?

Learning about physical therapy can lead to an exciting career as a physical therapist. Physical therapists who enter this profession can help patients in private offices, hospitals, hospice facilities, nursing homes, home health care, schools, and rehab clinics. They may also open their own practices. Even if you don't want to pursue a career in the field, learning about physical therapy can help you better understand your own body. You'll discover new ways to stay physically healthy.

What are some typical careers that use physical therapy?

Most people who study physical therapy become physical therapists. However, there are several other options in this area. You may go on to become an athletic trainer for sports teams or a chiropractor with your own practice. You can become a personal trainer, exercise instructor, or exercise physiologist. Some people who study physical therapy go on to explore other therapeutic careers, such as speech, recreational, or occupational therapy. You can use your education as the basis for a career as a physician's assistant, nurse practitioner, or audiologist too.

What are the benefits of taking an online Physical Therapy course?

Online Physical Therapy courses offer a convenient and flexible way to enhance your knowledge or learn new Physical Therapy skills. Choose from a wide range of Physical Therapy courses offered by top universities and industry leaders tailored to various skill levels.

Top Physical Therapy Courses - Learn Physical Therapy Online

Skip to search results

Filter by

Subject
Required

Physical Science and Engineering(1,006)

Health(171)

Business(62)

Computer Science(43)

Language
Required

The language used throughout the course, in both instruction and assessments.

English(1,161)

Spanish(724)

French(607)

Chinese (China)(584)

Learning Product
Required

Guided Projects(17)

Build job-relevant skills in under 2 hours with hands-on tutorials.

Courses(1,197)

Learn from top instructors with graded assignments, videos, and discussion forums.

Projects(1)

Learn a new tool or skill in an interactive, hands-on environment.

Specializations(159)

Get in-depth knowledge of a subject by completing a series of courses and projects.

Professional Certificates(4)

Earn career credentials from industry leaders that demonstrate your expertise.

Degrees(3)

Earn your Bachelor’s or Master’s degree online for a fraction of the cost of in-person learning.

Graduate Certificates(6)

Earn a university-issued career credential in a flexible, interactive format.

Level
Required

Beginner(601)

Intermediate(488)

Advanced(103)

Mixed(186)

Duration
Required

Less Than 2 Hours(18)

1-4 Weeks(565)

1-3 Months(664)

3-6 Months(131)

6-12 Months(6)

1-4 Years(3)

Skills
Required

Mathematical Modeling(243)

Engineering Analysis(201)

Physics(200)

Engineering Calculations(181)

Subtitles
Required

English(1,191)

Spanish(765)

French(635)

Russian(600)

Educator
Required

L&T EduTech(146)

University of Colorado Boulder(140)

Arizona State University(51)

University of Michigan(38)

Explore the Physical Therapy Course Catalog

University of Colorado Boulder
Hardware Description Languages for FPGA Design
Skills you'll gain: System Design and Implementation, Verification And Validation, Computer Engineering, Programming Principles, Development Testing, Simulations, Hardware Architecture, Functional Testing, Debugging
4.4
Rating, 4.4 out of 5 stars
598 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Wesleyan University
Creative Writing: The Craft of Setting and Description
Skills you'll gain: Storytelling, Writing, Writing and Editing, Content Creation, Creativity
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
1.4K reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free
University of Rochester
Confronting The Big Questions: Highlights of Modern Astronomy
Skills you'll gain: Physics, Physical Science, Life Sciences, Biology, Environment, General Science and Research, Scientific Methods, Systems Of Measurement, Chemistry
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
494 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology(KAIST)
Electrodynamics: An Introduction
Skills you'll gain: Electrical Engineering, Basic Electrical Systems, Physics, Integral Calculus, Calculus, Applied Mathematics, Differential Equations, Scientific Visualization
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
624 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free
National Taiwan University
機器人學一 (Robotics (1))
Skills you'll gain: Automation Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Linear Algebra, Engineering Calculations, Trigonometry, Applied Mathematics, Control Systems, Mathematical Modeling, Spatial Analysis
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
63 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free
University of Copenhagen
Transformation of the Global Food System
Skills you'll gain: Waste Minimization, Corporate Sustainability, Supply Chain, Systems Thinking, Environmental Resource Management, Environment, Environmental Science, Innovation, Nutrition and Diet, Public Policies, Small Business Accounting
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
986 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free
University of Geneva
Particle Physics: an Introduction
Skills you'll gain: Physics, Laboratory Equipment, Radiation Protection, Science and Research, Medical Imaging, Experimentation, Semiconductors, Research, Mathematical Modeling
4.4
Rating, 4.4 out of 5 stars
948 reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Rice University
Fundamentals of Immunology: Innate Immunity and B-Cell Function
Skills you'll gain: Public Health, Anatomy, Molecular Biology, Infectious Diseases, Medical Terminology, Biochemistry, Microbiology, Biology, Laboratory Testing
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
1.8K reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free
University of Manchester
Our Earth: Its Climate, History, and Processes
Skills you'll gain: Physical Science, Environment, Water Resources, Mathematical Modeling, Environmental Science, Biology, Simulations, Geospatial Mapping, Scientific Methods, Chemistry
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
439 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free
Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México
Evaluación de peligros y riesgos por fenómenos naturales
Skills you'll gain: Mitigation, Risk Control, Vulnerability, Water Resources, Research, Physical Science, Geographic Information Systems, Environmental Monitoring, Hydraulics, Geospatial Information and Technology
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
692 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Rice University
Introduction to Biology: Ecology, Evolution, & Biodiversity
Skills you'll gain: Biology, Environment, Microbiology, Life Sciences, Environmental Science, Environmental Issue, Environment and Resource Management, Demography, Natural Resource Management, Anatomy, Molecular Biology, Taxonomy, Estimation, Scientific Methods, Research, Experimentation, Data Collection, Research Methodologies
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
208 reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Free
Universitat de Barcelona
Oceanography: a key to better understand our world
Skills you'll gain: Physical Science, Water Resources, Geographic Information Systems, Geospatial Information and Technology, Chemistry, Environment, Environmental Science, Physics, Biology, Remote Access Systems
4.5
Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
279 reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 3 Months

Physical Therapy learners also search

1…18 19 20…116

In summary, here are 10 of our most popular physical therapy courses

Hardware Description Languages for FPGA Design: University of Colorado Boulder
Creative Writing: The Craft of Setting and Description: Wesleyan University
Confronting The Big Questions: Highlights of Modern Astronomy: University of Rochester
Electrodynamics: An Introduction: Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology(KAIST)
機器人學一 (Robotics (1)): National Taiwan University
Transformation of the Global Food System: University of Copenhagen
Particle Physics: an Introduction: University of Geneva
Fundamentals of Immunology: Innate Immunity and B-Cell Function: Rice University
Our Earth: Its Climate, History, and Processes: University of Manchester
Evaluación de peligros y riesgos por fenómenos naturales: Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México

Physical Therapy Courses Online