Physical Therapist Assistant Schools in Minnesota – MN

By Laura Wrede, allied health world contributing writer
Published: January, 22 2010

Find the right school for you

Degree:

Subject:

Program:

Education Requirements

In Minnesota physical therapy schools must offer programs accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) or a recognizable and comparable agency that has been approved by the State Board.

In Minnesota, there are several choices for approved programs. The degree conferred is an Associate in Applied Science or Associate of Applied Science in Physical Therapy Assisting, and will include several clinical experiences during the 2-year program.
Your first year is comprised of two semesters and one six-week summer session. Your second year requires two semesters. You will also have to participate in three clinical internships during your two-year program at a local clinic.

The first clinical work will be required during the summer session for the full six weeks. The second and third sessions will each be five weeks and will be during the last two semesters of the program.

The program consists of 43 credits of technical courses and 28 credits of general education courses.
List of potential course work:

Psychology
Anatomy
Physiology
Medical terminology
Composition
Speech Communications
Neuroanatomy
Physiology
Modalities and kinesiology for physical therapy
Advanced physical therapy techniques
Four Biology Pre-requisites

Education Costs

Students pay “credit-based fees” for their clinical experience according to the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA).
The degree itself will depend on which school you attend, however you can expect at least $135 per semester unit, according to the APTA, for community colleges along with the usual college fees for insurance, parking, and materials.

http://www.physicaltherapy.state.mn.us/licensee.asp?docid=123

Continuing Education

Each PTA is required to complete 20 contact hours every two years for license renewal. It is required that the PTA keeps all recorded proof of continuing education in the event of an audit. Renewals are always on January 1 of each year for all licensed PTAs no matter when they started.
http://www.physicaltherapy.state.mn.us/licensee.asp?docid=156

Salary Projections:

The median salary for a Physical Therapist Assistant in Minnesota is $26.36 per hour
http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_MN.htm

Through campus based and online programs, aspiring Physical Therapy Assistants in Minneapolis, St. Paul and Rochester, Minnesota may be able to prepare themselves for the possibility of employment in some of the largest hospitals and healthcare facilities in the state including the United Hospital, Abbott Northwestern Hospital, Children’s of Minnesota and St. Mary’s Hospital.