Physical Therapist Assistant Schools in South Dakota – SD

Physical Therapy Assistant Education in South Dakota

Since you need an associate’s degree to work as a Physical Therapy Assistant in South Dakota, you can count on spending at least two years in school. This is about how long it usually takes, on average, to earn enough credits to graduate, though it's not unheard of for people to need three or even fours, depending on whether they can attend school full time or not.

At the moment, there is only one school in South Dakota approved by the CAPTE, The Lake Area Technical Institute. If that school doesn't fit with what you need, you'll have to travel out of state to complete your education, as there are currently no approved online programs, or distance schools, that reach into South Dakota.

Once enrolled and attending one of the South Dakota physical therapy assistant schools, you'll spend about half your time in class, covering both general knowledge subjects like math and English, as well as more focused medical and anatomy related classes.  The other half your time will be spent in either an internship or a work experience program, probably acting as either a Physical Therapist Aide or as a trainee Physical Therapist Assistant under the guidance of a licensed one.

Continuing Education and License Renewal in South Dakota

There are currently no continuing education requirements for Physical Therapy Assistants in the state of South Dakota. Physical Therapy Assistants are, however, required to renew their licenses every year, at a fee of $50 dollars.

Through campus based and online programs, aspiring Physical Therapy Assistants in Sioux Falls, Rapid City, Aberdeen and Watertown, South Dakota 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 Sanford USD Medical Center, Rapid City Regional Hospital, Avera Saint Luke's Hospital and Avera McKennan Hospital & University Health Center.