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(994)

Health(169)

Business(60)

Computer Science(43)

Language
Required

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

English(1,146)

Spanish(725)

French(606)

Arabic(583)

Learning Product
Required

Guided Projects(17)

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

Courses(1,184)

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(156)

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(588)

Intermediate(486)

Advanced(103)

Mixed(185)

Duration
Required

Less Than 2 Hours(18)

1-4 Weeks(554)

1-3 Months(661)

3-6 Months(129)

6-12 Months(6)

1-4 Years(3)

Skills
Required

Mathematical Modeling(242)

Engineering Analysis(201)

Physics(201)

Engineering Calculations(181)

Subtitles
Required

English(1,175)

Spanish(765)

French(634)

Russian(600)

Educator
Required

L&T EduTech(146)

University of Colorado Boulder(139)

Arizona State University(51)

University of Michigan(38)

Explore the Physical Therapy Course Catalog

Status: New
National Academy of Sports Medicine
Impact of Exercise on Weight Loss
Skills you'll gain: Kinesiology, Mental Health, Stress Management, Physical Therapy, Respiratory Care, Nutrition and Diet
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: New
L&T EduTech
Construction Equipment Maintenance & Safety
Skills you'll gain: Safety Training, Maintenance, Repair, and Facility Services, Safety Assurance, Construction, Construction Engineering, Equipment Design, Facility Management and Maintenance, General Construction and Construction Labor, Plant Operations and Management, Construction Management, Risk Control, Environmental Regulations
Advanced · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Coursera Project Network
Netzkonvergenzstudien in der Finiten Elemente Methode
Skills you'll gain: Finite Element Methods, Simulations, Engineering Analysis, Numerical Analysis, Mechanical Design, 3D Modeling, Scientific Visualization, Cloud Computing, Structural Analysis
Beginner · Guided Project · Less Than 2 Hours
The University of Edinburgh
Climate Solutions: Mexico
Skills you'll gain: Social Justice, Environment, Mitigation, Risk Control, Environmental Policy, Environmental Science, Action Oriented, Scientific Methods, Simulations
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: New
L&T EduTech
Design and Construction of Hydropower Structures
Skills you'll gain: Construction, Mechanical Engineering, Hydraulics, Construction Engineering, Civil Engineering, Structural Engineering, Water Resources, Construction Management, Environmental Engineering, Energy and Utilities, Safety Training, Engineering Practices, Electrical Power, Mechanical Design, Engineering Management, Engineering Analysis, Geospatial Information and Technology
Advanced · Specialization · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free
O.P. Jindal Global University
Environmental Issues, Policies, and Practice
Skills you'll gain: Environmental Laws, Environment, Environmental Issue, Risk Management, Environmental Resource Management, Environmental Policy, Environment Health And Safety, Environmental Science, Environmental Regulations, Mitigation, Water Resources, Risk Analysis, Sanitation, Public Health, Pollution Prevention
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: New
Northeastern University
Foundations of Statistical Learning & Algorithms
Skills you'll gain: Linear Algebra, Statistical Machine Learning, Statistical Modeling, Probability, Statistical Methods, Bayesian Statistics, Probability Distribution, Mathematical Modeling, Machine Learning, Applied Mathematics, Statistical Inference, Algebra
Mixed · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Coursera Project Network
Strömungsimulation einer Kreiselpumpe
Skills you'll gain: Simulation and Simulation Software, Simulations, Engineering Analysis, Computer-Aided Design, Pump Stations, Process Analysis, Hydraulics, Cloud Computing
Beginner · Guided Project · Less Than 2 Hours
Status: Free
Northwestern University
현대 로봇공학, 강좌 6: 캡스톤 프로젝트, 모바일 매니퓰레이션
Skills you'll gain: Control Systems, Robotic Process Automation, Simulations, Record Keeping, Matlab, Computer Programming, Linear Algebra
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: New
L&T EduTech
Construction Machinery for Concreting /Roads & Earth Moving
Skills you'll gain: Construction, Hydraulics, Construction Engineering, General Construction and Construction Labor, Equipment Design, Maintenance, Repair, and Facility Services, Grading (Landscape), Civil Engineering, Construction Inspection, Construction Management, Machine Controls, Commercial Construction, Plant Operations and Management, Vibrations, Safety Assurance, Facility Repair And Maintenance, Automation Engineering, Property Maintenance, Production Process
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: New
Status: Free
American Museum of Natural History
The Solar System
Skills you'll gain: Scientific Visualization, Environment, Water Resources, Physics, General Science and Research, Taxonomy, Scientific Methods, Chemistry
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: New
L&T EduTech
Machinery for Concreting
Skills you'll gain: Equipment Design, Maintenance, Repair, and Facility Services, Product Lifecycle Management, Construction, Construction Management, Automation Engineering, Digital Transformation, Data Maintenance, Hydraulics, Control Systems, 3D Modeling
Advanced · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks