Students in a Master of Science in physical therapy program complete a sequence of academic courses that teach them about human movement and treatment of movement problems. Specific courses vary from school to school; however, all physical therapy students must understand human physiology and the ways in which neurological, musculoskeletal and cardiopulmonary disorders affect movement.
All physical therapy master's degree programs require students to complete a series of clinical internships. While the length of these clinical experiences vary, students must work in a clinic or hospital setting under the supervision of a licensed physical therapist. Clinic sites present challenges and opportunities to work with specific patient populations. A student must successfully complete clinical training to graduate and work.
Following completion of the academic coursework and clinical internships offered by the physical therapy master's program, students must take a licensing examination. Without passing this test, a student is unable to practice as a physical therapist. The state board of physical therapy administers the exam for each state, so details of the test may vary. However, these exams are designed to test a student's theoretical and practical knowledge about physical therapy. Students must call upon their academic coursework and clinical experience to successfully pass the licensing exam.