The Physical Therapy Assistant is a licensed health care professional who works under the supervision of a physical therapist. The physical therapy assistant works with patients to help them achieve their highest level of function following an injury or illness. A PTA can do anything from giving patients exercise routines and monitoring their progress, as well as providing them with medications and other therapies prescribed by their doctor. It’s important that you go to school for this career–and there are many accredited colleges offering programs for aspiring PTAs!
Colleges That Offer Physical Therapy Assistant
Branford Hall Career Institute
Branford Hall Career Institute offers a Physical Therapy Assistant program that is accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS).
The mission of Branford Hall Career Institute is to empower students with the knowledge, skills, and credentials needed to pursue jobs in today’s changing workforce. They are committed to providing high quality educational programs to develop tomorrow’s leaders through innovative programs designed specifically for those who want an education that provides practical experience, individual initiative and achievement of personal goals.
College of Southern Nevada
The College of Southern Nevada offers a physical therapy assistant program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE). The program is offered at the Henderson Campus, which can assist you with finding housing near UNLV.
The Certificate in Physical Therapy Assistant requires 24 credits and includes courses such as:
- Foundations of Physical Therapy Assistantship I
- Foundations of Physical Therapy Assistantship II
The Associate of Applied Science degree requires 60 credits, which may include some overlap with the certificate coursework. The Bachelor of Science degree requires 84 total credits, including those covered by both certificates and additional electives.
College of St. Scholastica
- College of St. Scholastica
- Minnesota
- accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE)
Dakota State University
Dakota State University is a public university located in Madison, South Dakota. The university was founded in 1881 as Dakota Agricultural College and has since grown to have over 6,000 students in a 1,650-acre campus.
Everest College
- Accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS)
- Offers an Associate of Applied Science degree in Physical Therapy Assistant Studies. The program requires 60 credit hours to complete.
- Offers a Certificate of Completion in Medical Assisting. The program requires 30 credit hours to complete.
Herzing University
Herzing University is a private, for-profit university in the Milwaukee suburb of Mequon, Wisconsin. It has an undergraduate program with three campuses in Wisconsin and one campus in Iowa. The university is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.
Houston Community College
Houston Community College
Houston, TX 77004-4796
Accreditation: Accredited by the Accrediting Commission of the Council on Occupational Education. The first program to be accredited in 1997, this school offers students multiple options for obtaining their degree. Students can choose between an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) or a Certificate of Completion. There are over 20 different concentrations available to students at HCC.
Students who want to earn an AAS must complete 60 credits; those who wish to get their certificate need 40 credits under their belts before graduation day comes around. Students will take classes like Anatomy and Physiology I & II; Introduction to Physical Therapy; Clinical Orientation and Evaluation Skills; Ethics & Professionalism in Physical Therapy; Assessment Techniques for Physical Therapy Assistants; Diagnosis & Treatment Plans for PTAs; Electrotherapy Concepts for PTA Assistants and much more!
Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College
Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College (MGCCC) is a two-year public college in Perkinston, Mississippi. The college was founded in 1950 and has an accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
The community college offers associate’s degrees in general studies, business administration, computer science, and health sciences. A certificate program is also available in respiratory therapy assistant. Other programs include human services worker (HSW), career counseling/job search skills specialist (CCJS), day care center director/manager (DCM) and early childhood education teacher certification (ECET).
MGCCC is a member of the Council on Occupational Education so its certificates are acceptable at other institutions across the country for transfer credit when earning an associate degree or bachelor’s degree.
New York Institute of Technology at Westbury Campus
New York Institute of Technology at Westbury Campus
The New York Institute of Technology at Westbury Campus offers a 6-month program for students to complete their Bachelors in Physical Therapy. The curriculum includes classes such as:
- Introduction to Physical Therapy
- Clinical Laboratory Procedures and Practicum
- Anatomy and Physiology I (A&P I)
- Anatomy and Physiology II (A&P II)
Paul Smith’s College
Paul Smith’s College is a four-year, private liberal arts institution in the Adirondack Mountains of upstate New York. It has an enrollment of 1,450 students and offers more than 40 majors leading to Bachelor’s degrees.
Paul Smith’s College is the only college in the world that offers a bachelor’s degree in wilderness leadership and management.
Pima Medical Institute
Pima Medical Institute is accredited by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES). It is also affiliated with Pima Community College and offers a variety of different programs, including a 2-year program, 3-year program, 4-year program, 5-year program and 6-year program.
Renton Technical College
Renton Technical College
Renton Technical College offers an Associate of Applied Science in Physical Therapy Assistant. The program is designed to prepare students to work as physical therapy assistants in a variety of settings. Graduates are prepared to assist therapists with patients’ activities and exercises, apply therapeutic modalities (e.g., ultrasound), and monitor patients’ vital signs and progress.
The college provides the following information:
- Location: Renton, Washington
- Programs offered: Associates in Applied Science Degree in Physical Therapy Assistant
- Number of students enrolled: 26
- Tuition costs per year (for full-time enrollment): $2,100-$4,500
To learn more about this institution’s admissions requirements for prospective students or for current students who want more information about financial aid options or scholarship opportunities, please visit their website at [insert link].
a list of colleges that offer accredited physical therapy assistant programs
The following is a list of colleges that offer accredited physical therapy assistant programs.
- University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
- Parker University (Texas)
- Florida International University
- Nova Southeastern University (Florida)
- American Sentinel University (Oregon)
Closing
Physical therapy assistant is a great career choice! With physical therapy assisting, you can help people regain their strength and mobility after an injury or illness. This job requires compassion as well as knowledge of anatomy and physiology. If this sounds like something you’re interested in doing for a living, then check out these colleges that offer accredited programs for PTAs!