Community colleges with physical therapy assistant programs

Degrees and Programs

The Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) Program at Northeast will prepare students to work as valuable healthcare providers who are employable in any physical therapy setting. The program is an intense, academically challenging program that requires hard work and dedication. Engaged teaching and learning experiences promote an interactive learning environment in both lab and lecture. Students are trained with current technology and innovative exercise equipment to simulate realistic clinical settings. In order to complete the training, students must be able to perform the PTA Essential Functions and Physical Demands. Additionally, students are required to complete a physical exam, required vaccinations, tuberculosis test, a criminal background check, and a drug screen in order to perform clinical experiences during the second year of the program. Program graduates will be well prepared to take the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) for PTAs.

Physical Therapist Assistant Program Statistics PTA Student Financial Fact Sheet PTA Application

Enrollment in the program is limited and based on a selective admissions process. Details for applying to the program can be found on the PTA Application page.

The Physical Therapist Assistant Program at Northeast Community College is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), 3030 Potomac Ave., Suite 100, Alexandria, Virginia 22305-3085; telephone: 703-706-3245; email: ; website: http://www.capteonline.org. If needing to contact the program/institution directly, please call 402-844-7326 or email .

File a complaint: Northeast Community College | CAPTE

Career Information

What is a Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA)?

According to the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA), “physical therapist assistants (PTAs) are the only licensed/certified health care providers that deliver physical therapy services under the direction and supervision of physical therapists (PTs) as part of the PT/PTA team. PTAs are responsible for providing, progressing, and, where appropriate, modifying physical therapy interventions to maximize patient/client safety, comfort, and response within the plan of care established by the supervising physical therapist. PTAs are clinical decision makers who use data collection methods to measure the patient’s response to the interventions provided. Additionally, PTAs use value-based behaviors in carrying out the plan of care, including communication with the supervising physical therapist regarding patient status, treatment outcomes, and any other information that may impact the plan of care. PTAs are graduates of Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education-accredited PTA education programs and must pass the National Physical Therapy Examination-PTA as a minimum requirement for licensure/ certification in all jurisdictions. PTAs comply with all legal requirements of jurisdictions regulating the practice of physical therapy and with the American Physical Therapy Association’s Standards of Ethical Conduct for the Physical Therapist Assistant.”

Pagliarulo, M. A. (2016). Introduction to Physical Therapy - fifth edition, page 44. St. Louis: Elsevier.

Where do PTAs work?

APTA. Becoming a PT

Does a PTA have to be licensed or certified?

Upon successful completion of an accredited PTA program, graduates are eligible to take that National Physical Therapy Examination-PTA (NPTE). Graduates will also be required to complete a state law examination specific to the state in which they choose to practice. A licensed/certified PTA may gain advanced proficiency in a selected area of work. The Advanced Proficiency Pathways (APP) program increases “the PTAs’ knowledge and skill in a chosen area of physical therapy. Content areas are Acute Care, Cardiovascular/Pulmonary, Geriatrics, Oncology, Orthopedics, Pediatrics, and Wound Management.” Additional content areas will be added as they are completed.

APTA. (2015). Licensure.

What is the job and salary outlook for a PTA?

Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment Statistics.

Instructor Bios

Courses and Program Options

Associate of Applied Science Degree

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How long does it take to finish the PTA Program?
The minimum time required to complete the entire program is two years and three months (5 semesters). Once pre-requisite courses (Pre-Clinical Phase) are complete, the Technical & Clinical phases can be completed in 18 months.

How can I change my major to PTA?
The change of major form is in the Registrar website: http://www.laguardia.edu/registrar/.

Go toward the bottom of the page under Forms, subheading Student Forms and you should be able to download the form. Once it is completed, you can email it as an attachment to the department’s email address at .

What are the requirements to apply for the PTA program?
To apply for the PTA Program Candidacy, students must:

• Be an Undeclared Health Pre-Health/PTA major at LaGuardia,
• Submit a candidacy application by the deadline.
• Complete all four key courses (ENG101, SSY101, SCB203, and MAT120 or 115)
• Submit the ATI-TEAS Exam scores by the deadline.

What happens if I apply for candidacy and I don’t get accepted?
A student has two attempts for PTA candidacy. After an unsuccessful second attempt, we recommend meeting with an advisor to explore alternative academic planning.

What is the minimum score I have to get to pass my ATI-TEAS Exam and when can I take it?
All applicants are required to take the ATI-TEAS Exam as a requirement for candidacy. A proficient composite score of 55% or higher is the minimum required. The TEAS score must be within 18 months of the end date of candidacy. There is no limit on the number of attempts for this exam in order to achieve the minimum score required.

Do I have to retake the TEAS Exam if I score a passing, but low score? Would that increase my chances to get accepted?
You don’t necessarily have to retake your TEAS as long as you have a passing overall score of 55%. The TEAS Exam scores are not ranked.

Are the TEAS Exam scores due at the same time as the candidacy application is due?
The PTA Program does not require that you submit your scores together with your candidacy application. The TEAS Exam scores are due prior to or at the end of session I of the semester of candidacy application.

I need more information on the volunteer hours requirement.
Accepted students must complete a minimum of 50 hours of volunteer work in a facility where a physical therapist is supervising the student. A letter of completion from the facility on facility’s stationary and signed by supervisor is required before starting the first session in the Technical Phase.

If accepted into the PTA Program, when do I start?
Successful candidates are scheduled to begin the Technical phase in session II of the following semester. (6 , six months after notification of acceptance into the technical phase.) Candidates that are unable to begin the program as scheduled will forfeit their seat in the program.

When will I know if I got accepted into the PTA Program?
Students will be notified of the results during session II of the semester of candidacy application.

Can I complete my PTA classes as a part time student? Do they offer evening classes?
The Technical and Clinical Phases of the PTA Program is a full time, daytime program. No evening program is available at this time. Due to the intense workload during the Technical and Clinical Phases of study, employment is NOT recommended.

When can I apply for candidacy for the PTA Program?
Candidacy occurs twice a year during the first session of the school semester. Students can submit applications for candidacy during Fall I and Spring I. The candidacy deadlines are listed on the school calendar and it is the student’s responsibility to apply for candidacy on time.

Students have to request a Candidacy Form by emailing the Health Sciences Department at .

The Candidacy Form then needs to be filled out and emailed to the Health Sciences Department before the Candidacy Deadline. Once the form is received by the Health Sciences Department the student will receive an acknowledgement email confirming receipt of the Candidacy form.

What is the required GPA to get accepted into the PTA Program.
Minimum GPA requirement to apply for candidacy is 2.50. However, please note that the program is highly competitive. The minimum GPA of successful candidates varies but is always well above 2.50. Candidacy follows a GPA ranking system. The PTA program admits up to 20 students in each cohort.

Can I take the remaining pre-clinical courses while I am taking Technical Phase courses?
Accepted students are given conditional acceptance letters pending the completion of their preclinical phase. All pre-clinical courses MUST be completed prior to the start of the first technical course.

I took science a long time ago, can I use that course to fulfill my science requirement? Do science courses expire?
SCB203 and SCB204 taken more than 7 years of the candidacy semester will not be accepted for PTA candidacy. Prospective applicants must retake science courses older than the required 7 years.

What is the minimum course grade I can get to get accepted into the program?
Students must have a minimum of 2.50 in all the key courses to be considered for the PTA program. Please note: students are not permitted to repeat any course with a grade of C or above. In addition, the original grade in any pre-clinical courses required for the PTA major, are averaged into the ranking along with the repeated grade. This includes transfer credit grades.

What is the PTA Program’s policy on criminal records?
CUNY does not require criminal background checks; however, individual health care facilities may require background checks and drug screening. Please note that students must complete a minimum of 640 hours of varied clinical rotations during the clinical phase. Students are required to have a current medical exam with blood work (within 3 months).

Where can I get more information on the PTA Program to review at my own pace?
All program requirements can be found in: https://lagcc-cuny-.digication.com/pta_program_candidate_orientation/Home.

Can I start working right after I complete the PTA Program?
PTA graduates cannot practice physical therapy in New York without a New York State license. At the completion of the program, students are eligible to sit for the National Physical Therapy Exam (NPTE) for physical therapist assistants. However, in New York State, with sponsorship and commitment by a clinic under conditional employment, a graduate may apply for a limited permit and begin working as a PTA immediately after graduation. A limited permit is good for six months of employment and may be renewed once for additional six months.

I applied for admission into LaGuardia as a transfer student, when can I apply for candidacy.
Admission into the PTA program is offered to LaGuardia students only. You can apply for candidacy after your transfer credits (if any) are posted to your transcript at LaGuardia and/or you are officially admitted into the college as a matriculated student.

Is there a waitlist? Does the waitlist roll over to the next semester or do I have to reapply?
A waitlist is usually maintained but it does not roll over the next semester. Students that are not offered a seat must reapply for candidacy for up to two times in total.

When will the candidacy results be announced?
Students will be notified of the results during session II of the semester of candidacy application.

If I am on the waitlist, how soon will I hear from the department if I am accepted?
Students are asked to confirm their seat acceptance before the start of the next semester. If a seat opens and your waitlist number comes up, you will be contacted immediately.

How do letters of recommendation come into play during acceptance?
The PTA Program does not take into consideration letters of recommendation in regards to candidacy applications.

Should I take TEAS now if I plan to apply for candidacy next semester?
The TEAS score must be within 18 months of the end date of candidacy. There is no limit on the number of attempts for this exam in order to achieve the minimum score required.

Does Financial Aid pay for TEAS?
Unfortunately, the TEAS Exam fee is not covered by Financial Aid.

If I fail a course, am I able to retake it?
Please note: students are permitted to retake any course they failed. It is not permitted to repeat any course with a grade of C or above. In addition, the original grade in any pre-clinical courses required for the PTA major, are averaged into the ranking along with the repeated grade. This includes transfer credit grades.

If I do not get accepted into the Technical phase, what are my options?
A student has two attempts for PTA candidacy. After an unsuccessful second attempt, we recommend meeting with an advisor to explore alternative academic planning.

If several students have the same key course GPA as me, how do they get selected from the waitlist?
In the event two or more students have the identical GPA, It is highly unusual that there are several students with the same key course GPA since all pre-clinical required courses taken prior to candidacy will be included in the ranking. In this unlikely scenario, the PTA program will utilize the TEAS score to determine ranking.

How and which term should I apply for Candidacy?
Candidacy occurs twice a year during the first session of the school semester. Students can submit applications for candidacy during Fall I and Spring I. The candidacy deadlines are listed on the school calendar and it is the student’s responsibility to apply for candidacy on time. Please email the to request a candidacy form and to request further instructions on where to submit your application for candidacy.

What are the pre-clinical courses for the PTA program? Which courses are students specifically ranked on?
The PTA Program requires the minimum of four key courses to apply. The key courses are weighted higher for ranking. However, any required courses taken prior to candidacy will also be included for the ranking.

What if a grade of C- is received in a pre-clinical class for each of the programs?
Students must have a minimum of 2.50 in all the key courses to be considered for the PTA program. Please note: students are not permitted to repeat any course with a grade of C or above. In addition, the original grade in any pre-clinical courses required for the PTA major, are averaged into the ranking along with the repeated grade. This includes transfer credit grades.

Which classes need to be completed or in the process of being complete when applying for candidacy? Which class can be taken during the shorter sessions when a student has already applied for candidacy?
For the PTA Programs, Complete at minimum, all four key courses (ENG101, SSY101, SCB203, and MAT120 or 115) to apply for candidacy. Students may select any of the remaining pre-clinical required courses in the session II following candidacy. However, it is recommended that accepted students finish their SCB204 in the session I prior to starting the Technical phase.

Can students apply for more than one candidacy program at a time?
The PTA Programs only allowed one candidacy at the time and it must match the intended major

What happens if you don't get accepted two times into a candidacy program?
After an unsuccessful second attempt, we recommend meeting with an advisor to explore alternative academic planning.

Which semester would students is taking the day and which semester would students be taking night clinical classes for PTA?
PTA does not have night program.

Is SCB 204 required to be taken before entering Technical phase of PTA? Do you need to receive a grade of C or better?
The PTA Program requires that you finish SCB204 and all preclinical coursework with a C or better grade before the start of the Technical and Clinical Phases of the program.

Is there a volunteer requirement for PTA before entering Technical phase of program? How many hours?
Accepted students must complete a minimum of 50 hours of volunteer work in a facility where a physical therapist is supervising the student. A letter of completion from the facility on facility’s stationary and signed by supervisor is required before starting the first session in the Technical Phase.

How many students apply for each program and are accepted each semester/year?
While the PTA Programs varied their number of applicants each semester, applicant pools are usually around 50. Up to 20 students may be accepted into PTA Program.

When will students find out if they have been accepted into clinical phase of each program?
Students will be notified of the results during session II of the semester of candidacy application.

What is the best major for physical therapy assistant?

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How much do PTA make in Utah?

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