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Physical Therapy Assistant Degrees and Schools

By an allied health world contributing writer
Published: February, 19 2010

All physical therapy assistants (PTA) must complete a high school education or GED program. High school level classes that will prove helpful in the physical therapy field include algebra, English, anatomy, and psychology. After high school, potential PTAs will need to apply to an accredited physical therapy assistant education program. There are currently around 250 physical therapy assistant education programs accredited by the American Physical Therapy Association’s Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education.

Certification programs for physical therapy assistants are also an education option. While these programs are not a substitute for an accredited PTA program, they do allow for students to obtain foundational training that prepares them for a two year, accredited physical therapy assistant education program. PTA certificate programs, or pre-physical therapy assistant programs, generally take one year to complete. Coursework within a certificate program includes the following:

• Anatomy
• Biology
• Chemistry
• English Composition
• General Psychology
• Medical Vocabulary

PTA certificate programs are geared towards students returning to school after a long absence or to students who earned a GED and need or desire additional classroom experience. Some PTA certificate holders work as a physical therapist aide, acquire on-the-job training, and then go on to complete a PTA education program.

Physical therapy assistant degree programs will typically take two years or five semesters to complete. An associate’s degree will be issued upon the successful completion of a PTA education program. Most states do require that physical therapy assistants obtain an associates degree prior to filing for a PTA license. PTA education programs are available at technical or community colleges and some four-year colleges and universities.

Physical Therapy Assistant Degrees are divided into academic coursework and hands-on clinical experience. Some programs may require students to get certified in CPR and complete a semester of coursework in anatomy and physiology before they can begin their clinical field experience. Other first aid certifications may also be required.

Academic coursework will include instruction in the following:

• Algebra and Mathematics
• Anatomy
• Biology
• Chemistry
• English
• Kinesiology
• Neurological Concepts
• Orthopedics
• Pathology
• Pediatrics
• Psychology
• Physical Therapy Techniques
• Physiology

Clinical experience is viewed as being absolutely essential to ensuring that students understand the concepts they have covered in the classroom and can properly perform their expected responsibilities. Most hand-on experience will take place in treatment centers.

Upon completion of an accredited physical therapy assistant program, potential PTAs will need to obtain a license, certification, or register in order to practice. License, registration and certification requirements vary from state-to-state. However, most states will require the completion of an accredited PTA education program, as covered above, and the passing of the National Physical Therapy Exam. Some states also require PTA candidates to pass a state jurisprudence examination.

The license of a physical therapy assistant will need to be renewed on a regular basis. Most states issue a two-year license. Certifications and registrations may also need to be renewed. In addition, continuing education might be required in order for physical therapist assistants to maintain licensure. Continuing education most often takes the form of online courses, college courses, seminars and conferences. The American Physical Therapist Association is a great resource for exploring continuing education options. For more complete information regarding the rules and regulations to become licensed as a physical therapy assistant, contact your State licensing board, which is usually under the direction of the state department of health.

Physical therapy assistants who wish to gain further knowledge in their field can obtain additional skills in geriatric, pediatric, musculoskeletal, neuromuscular, integumentary, and cardiopulmonary physical therapy. The American Physical Therapy Associations gives recognition to such PTAs.

Becoming a physical therapy assistant is not a stepping stone to becoming a physical therapist. While there are a few “bridge” programs that allow PTAs to work while going to school on weekends to become a physical therapist, they are rare. Such programs will award a Master’s degree in Physical Therapy upon completion. However, courses completed in a PT program are on the graduate level, while PTA courses are on the undergraduate level, so they don’t meet the graduate degree requirements of most physical therapy courses. Due to the intense study of physical therapy assistant programs in such a short time frame, there simply is just not enough time for the prerequisites to be met that allow PTAs to go directly on to PT educational programs.