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

Filter by

Subject
Required

Physical Science and Engineering(961)

Health(163)

Business(65)

Computer Science(44)

Language
Required

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

English(1,109)

Spanish(693)

French(607)

Chinese (China)(587)

Learning Product
Required

Guided Projects(17)

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

Courses(1,143)

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(147)

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

Professional Certificates(5)

Earn career credentials from industry leaders that demonstrate your expertise.

MasterTrack® Certificates(2)

Earn career credentials while taking courses that count towards your Master’s degree.

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.

University Certificates(1)

Graduate level learning within reach.

Level
Required

Beginner(580)

Intermediate(458)

Advanced(91)

Mixed(184)

Duration
Required

Less Than 2 Hours(18)

1-4 Weeks(526)

1-3 Months(644)

3-6 Months(125)

6-12 Months(9)

1-4 Years(3)

Skills
Required

Mathematical Modeling(244)

Engineering Analysis(237)

Physics(202)

Environment(190)

Subtitles
Required

English(1,131)

Spanish(731)

French(643)

Russian(610)

Educator
Required

University of Colorado Boulder(140)

L&T EduTech(126)

Arizona State University(51)

University of Michigan(40)

Explore the Physical Therapy Course Catalog

University of Colorado Boulder
Semiconductor Physics
Skills you'll gain: Semiconductors, Electrical Engineering, Electronic Systems, Electronic Components, Physics, Engineering Analysis, Applied Mathematics
4.4
Rating, 4.4 out of 5 stars
285 reviews
Advanced · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free
Georgia Institute of Technology
Mechanics of Materials IV: Deflections, Buckling, Combined Loading & Failure Theories
Skills you'll gain: Structural Analysis, Engineering Design Process, Failure Analysis, Engineering Analysis, Civil Engineering, Engineering Calculations, Mechanical Engineering, Mechanics, Applied Mathematics
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
797 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free
University of Pennsylvania
Calculus: Single Variable Part 4 - Applications
Skills you'll gain: Calculus, Integral Calculus, Applied Mathematics, Probability & Statistics, Geometry, Probability, Engineering Calculations, Advanced Mathematics, Torque (Physics), Statistics, Mechanics, Mathematical Modeling, Physics
4.9
Rating, 4.9 out of 5 stars
273 reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 3 Months
University of Colorado Boulder
Equivalent Circuit Cell Model Simulation
Skills you'll gain: Simulations, Mathematical Modeling, Electrical Engineering, Electronic Systems, Power Electronics, Matlab, Predictive Modeling, Engineering Calculations, Applied Mathematics
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
543 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free
Lund University
Medical Applications of Particle Accelerators (NPAP MOOC)
Skills you'll gain: Radiology, Physics
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
277 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
University of Michigan
Translating Research to Patients
Skills you'll gain: Clinical Trials, Clinical Research, Medical Science and Research, Scientific Methods, Research, Pharmaceuticals, Health Care Procedure and Regulation, Regulatory Compliance, Ethical Standards And Conduct
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Dartmouth College
Environmental Science
Skills you'll gain: Environment, Environmental Issue, Water Resources, Environmental Policy, Environmental Monitoring, Natural Resource Management, Life Sciences, Pollution Prevention, Physical Science, Systems Thinking, General Science and Research
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
243 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
National Taiwan University
CAD/BIM技術與應用
Skills you'll gain: Architectural Drawing, SketchUp (3D Modeling Software), Engineering Drawings, Autodesk Revit, Building Information Modeling, AutoCAD, 3D Modeling, Mechanical Drawings, Computer-Aided Design, Drafting and Engineering Design, Construction Estimating, Technical Drawing, Structural Engineering, Blueprint Reading, Engineering Design Process, Architectural Engineering, Engineering Management, Estimation, Building Design, Civil Engineering
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
355 reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Free
University of Copenhagen
Transformation of the Global Food System
Skills you'll gain: Waste Minimization, Corporate Sustainability, Food and Beverage, Supply Chain, Systems Thinking, Supply Chain Planning, Environment, Natural Resource Management, Environmental Policy, Community Development, Innovation
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
977 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free
Technion - Israel Institute of Technology
Nanotechnology and Nanosensors, Part 2
Skills you'll gain: Semiconductors, Innovation, Environmental Monitoring, Electronic Systems, Engineering, Manufacturing Processes, Scientific Methods, Research Reports, Health Care
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
233 reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 3 Months
National Academy of Sports Medicine
Plant-Based Diets
Skills you'll gain: Preventative Care, Physical Therapy, Food and Beverage, Health Care, General Science and Research
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
48 reviews
Beginner · 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, Taxonomy, General Science and Research, Scientific Methods, Systems Of Measurement
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
488 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

Physical Therapy learners also search

1…30 31 32…111

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

Semiconductor Physics: University of Colorado Boulder
Mechanics of Materials IV: Deflections, Buckling, Combined Loading & Failure Theories: Georgia Institute of Technology
Calculus: Single Variable Part 4 - Applications: University of Pennsylvania
Equivalent Circuit Cell Model Simulation: University of Colorado Boulder
Medical Applications of Particle Accelerators (NPAP MOOC): Lund University
Translating Research to Patients: University of Michigan
Environmental Science: Dartmouth College
CAD/BIM技術與應用: National Taiwan University
Transformation of the Global Food System: University of Copenhagen
Nanotechnology and Nanosensors, Part 2: Technion - Israel Institute of Technology

Physical Therapy Courses Online