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(995)

Health(170)

Business(61)

Computer Science(43)

Language
Required

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

English(1,149)

Spanish(727)

French(608)

Chinese (China)(586)

Learning Product
Required

Guided Projects(17)

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

Courses(1,187)

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(589)

Intermediate(488)

Advanced(103)

Mixed(185)

Duration
Required

Less Than 2 Hours(18)

1-4 Weeks(554)

1-3 Months(664)

3-6 Months(129)

6-12 Months(6)

1-4 Years(3)

Skills
Required

Mathematical Modeling(240)

Engineering Analysis(205)

Physics(201)

Engineering Calculations(184)

Subtitles
Required

English(1,178)

Spanish(767)

French(636)

Russian(602)

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

L&T EduTech
Air Conditioning Equipment Selection, Design and Sizing
Skills you'll gain: HVAC, Building Services Engineering, Equipment Design, Thermal Management, Mechanical Engineering, Hydraulics, Plumbing, Facility Repair And Maintenance, Drafting and Engineering Design, Control Systems, Energy and Utilities, Engineering Calculations
4.2
Rating, 4.2 out of 5 stars
9 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free
Coursera Instructor Network
Demystifying EV Batteries: Tech & Management
Skills you'll gain: Electric Power Systems, Electrical Systems, Performance Tuning, Thermal Management, Control Systems, Capacity Management, Performance Testing, Chemistry, Failure Analysis, Continuous Monitoring
4.4
Rating, 4.4 out of 5 stars
14 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
L&T EduTech
Fire Protection System
Skills you'll gain: Construction Inspection, Building Codes, System Requirements, Facility Management and Maintenance, Hydraulics, Plumbing, Water Resources, Safety and Security, Design Specifications, Engineering Calculations, Technical Standard
4.2
Rating, 4.2 out of 5 stars
12 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Banco Interamericano de Desarrollo
Análisis de riesgos de desastres y cambio climático
Skills you'll gain: Risk Analysis, Risk Management, Risk Modeling, Project Risk Management, Governance, Failure Analysis, Feasibility Studies, Disaster Recovery, Mitigation, Analysis, Performance Metric, Vulnerability Assessments, Civil Engineering, Investment Management, Decision Making, Cost Benefit Analysis, Prioritization, Project Management, Economic Development, Quantitative Research
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
27 reviews
Advanced · Specialization · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free
University of Colorado Boulder
High Voltage Schottky and p-n Diodes
Skills you'll gain: Semiconductors, High Voltage, Power Electronics, Electronic Components, Electrical Engineering, Electronics, Simulation and Simulation Software, Mathematical Modeling
Build toward a degree
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Macquarie University
Навыки Excel для бизнеса. Продвинутый
Skills you'll gain: Dashboard, Data Cleansing, Excel Formulas, Data Visualization, Microsoft Excel, Spreadsheet Software, Data Storytelling, Data Validation, Data Integrity, Technical Documentation, Accounting and Finance Software, Depreciation, Loans, Automation
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Banco Interamericano de Desarrollo
Sustainable Infrastructure Project Financing
Skills you'll gain: Project Finance, Environmental Social And Corporate Governance (ESG), Private Equity, Capital Markets, Economic Development, Innovation, International Finance, Finance, Governance
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
6 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Arizona State University
Electron and Ion Beam Characterization
Skills you'll gain: Semiconductors, Failure Analysis, Image Analysis, Electronic Components, Laboratory Equipment, Chemistry, Laboratory Research, Quantitative Research, Scientific Visualization, Qualitative Research
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
12 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months
National Taiwan University
CAD/BIM技術與應用專項課程（CAD/BIM Specialization)
Skills you'll gain: Construction Estimating, Building Information Modeling, Computer-Aided Design, Engineering Design Process, Architectural Engineering, Estimation, Civil Engineering, Engineering Change Order, Simulation and Simulation Software, Construction Management, Creative Design
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
6 reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: New
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Wetland Delineation Fundamentals
Skills you'll gain: Water Resources, Research Reports, Environment and Resource Management, Natural Resource Management, Geographic Information Systems, Environmental Science, Geospatial Information and Technology, Technical Documentation, Environmental Regulations
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Dartmouth College
Question Reality: Matter
Skills you'll gain: Physics, Physical Science, General Science and Research, Ancient History, Scientific Methods, Chemistry, Research, Experimentation, World History
4.9
Rating, 4.9 out of 5 stars
7 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
University of Colorado Boulder
Modern Topics in Condensed Matter Physics
Skills you'll gain: Advanced Mathematics, Physics, Physical Science, Science and Research, Mathematical Modeling
4.9
Rating, 4.9 out of 5 stars
10 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

Physical Therapy learners also search

1…95 96 97…115

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

Air Conditioning Equipment Selection, Design and Sizing: L&T EduTech
Demystifying EV Batteries: Tech & Management: Coursera Instructor Network
Fire Protection System: L&T EduTech
Análisis de riesgos de desastres y cambio climático: Banco Interamericano de Desarrollo
High Voltage Schottky and p-n Diodes: University of Colorado Boulder
Навыки Excel для бизнеса. Продвинутый: Macquarie University
Sustainable Infrastructure Project Financing: Banco Interamericano de Desarrollo
Electron and Ion Beam Characterization: Arizona State University
CAD/BIM技術與應用專項課程（CAD/BIM Specialization): National Taiwan University
Wetland Delineation Fundamentals: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Physical Therapy Courses Online