Is a Doctor of Physical Therapy Degree Worth It? If you’re dreaming about helping patients restore their mobility and quality of life, and you’re exploring what it would take to become a physical therapist, you may be wondering, “Is a degree in physical therapy worth it?” The answer to this question depends, of course, on your personal career goals. Some people choose to become physical therapist assistants because only a two-year associate degree is required. It’s true that pursuing a doctorate takes time and effort; however, there are countless advantages to earning a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree. To that end, let’s look at some of the factors that make a Doctor in Physical Therapy (DPT) degree the best first step on an exceptional career Read more
Kathy H. Wood, PhD, FHFMA
Program Director, MHS/MHA Programs
Dr. Kathy Wood’s experience in higher education spans more than 20 years, during which she served as Program Chair for the MA Health Care Administration program at Ashford University and University Dean, Health at Colorado Technical University. In addition, Dr. Wood has taught extensively in the fields of health care administration, business and health care finance.
Dr. Wood’s introduction to higher education came through a project she led with the Healthcare Financial Management Association (HFMA), where she is a Fellow. She also serves as a Fellow for the Council on Accreditation for Healthcare Management Education (CAHME). Her industry experience includes positions in IT health care organizations, hospitals, physician practices and long-term care facilities, where she held many leadership roles in business services and health care administration.
Dr. Wood is the recipient of many industry certifications and awards, including the Bronze, Silver and Gold Award of Excellence for certification from the HFMA. In addition to HFMA, she is affiliated with the American Public Health Association (APHA), the Healthcare Information Management System Society (HIMSS) and the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA). She believes strongly in the importance of volunteerism, where she serves as a long-term care advocate and in other areas for marginalized populations.
