The prevalence of the doctoral degree amongst professionals will add to the evidence-based research conducted by doctoral and post-doctoral candidates and will convey added legitimacy to physical therapists and enlarge the scope of the field. Postgraduate doctoral study has continued to grow: "More physical therapists are pursuing non-clinical doctoral degrees, such as PhDs, in an effort to obtain the skills necessary to conduct original research and add to the foundation of literature upon which we base our practice. In 2002, the number of American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) members reporting a non-clinical doctorate as their highest earned degree was 30% higher than in 1996."

Will the changes in any way be affected by Federal and State activities and events?

Of course, decreased funding for extended schooling may impact the ability of many students to pursue such higher learning. But the increasing bureaucracy of the health care system may also drive...
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