Physical Therapist Assistant Schools in Mississippi – MS

Education Requirements for Physical Therapy Assistants in Mississippi

Throughout Mississippi, several community colleges, and even online schools, offer accredited coursework to become a physical therapy assistant. You will receive an Associate in Applied Science degree upon completion of accredited programs offered through Mississippi physical therapy assistant schools. Coursework is heavily focused on the biological sciences.

During your two years, along with classroom instruction, you will also experience concurrent outside clinical experience. This gives you the opportunity to put into practice what you learn in the classroom and apply it to a real life situation. This part of the program is ongoing at different times while you are in school.

Education Costs

The cost of education in Mississippi for a physical therapy assistant who resides in state ranges from $800 per semester to $1700 depending on which school you choose to attend. For an out of state student, the cost can go much higher according to the American Physical Therapy Association. Due to the wide variations of fees, it is a worthy endeavor to check out each possibility including any online schools available.

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

Continuing Education and License Renewal

Your license is good from July 1 to June 30 and expires in odd numbered years if your last name begins with an A through L. If your last name begins with M through Z, the license period is from July 1 to June 30 and expires in even numbered years. The license is considered biennial. This renewal rule will be in effect even if at some point in the future you should change your name.

Continuing education is a requirement that will be pursued during your practice after you are licensed. The state of Mississippi requires that you complete 24 contact hours that will count as 2.4 Continuing Education Units. At least 6 of these hours must be in the practice of physical therapy.

Along with the above requirements, you will also need to take a two hour Board approved course in ethics/professional responsibility according to the Mississippi State Board of Physical Therapy.
http://www.physicaltherapy.state.mn.us/licensee.asp?docid=156

Salary Projections:

The average annual salary for a Physical Therapist Assistant in the state of Mississippi is $32,480.
http://www.bls.gov/oes/2000/oes_3560.htm

Through campus based and online programs, aspiring Physical Therapy Assistants in Jackson, West Gulfport, Gulfport, Biloxi and Hattiesburg, Mississippi 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 Tupelo Hospital, North Mississippi Medical Center, Baptist Memorial Hospital and University of Mississippi Medical Center.