The goals of physical therapy are to help patients regain diminished physical function, which has been lost secondary to injury or disease, and to relieve pain. Qualified by education and licensure, physical therapists perform appropriate tests to evaluate neuromuscular, musculoskeletal, and sensorimotor functions. By determining the degree of impairment, physical therapists are then able to help patients return to full function by the use of various physical agents to decrease pain and by the use of therapeutic exercise to increase strength, endurance, and coordination, thus allowing them to return to meaningful occupational and recreational pursuits. In addition to the treatment of injuries and physical disabilities, physical therapists play a major role in the prevention of disability by teaching people the importance of physical fitness and the relationship between health, nutrition, and disease. Biomechanical assessment, correction of movement dysfunction, and educating the public on how to avoid injuries caused by improper lifting, poor posture, or repetitive movements are also critical roles designated to the physical therapist practitioner.
Physical therapists serve both the health care needs of individual clients and of society.
The course of study at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas is an entry-level professional program designed to prepare students to enter the profession of physical therapy. A Master of Science Degree in Physical Therapy is awarded following the successful completion of the program that consists of intense academic and clinical work spread over five semesters and two summers. Upon receiving this degree, students will be eligible to sit for the licensure examination in physical therapy. Students are prepared as generalists, but also have some opportunity to investigate specialized aspects of physical therapy through numerous clinical exposures. The program of study consists of 87 credit hours of graduate course work.