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Physical Therapist Assistant

Physical Therapist Assistant

Help improve lives with physical therapy

Physical therapist assistants are healthcare professionals who work under the supervision of physical therapists. Their job is to help the physical therapist implement treatment programs according to a plan of care, help patients learn how to do exercises and activities of daily living and use special equipment during treatments.

Learn more about PTA

Physical therapist assistants (PTAs) provide physical therapy services under the direction and supervision of a licensed physical therapist. PTAs help people of all ages with medical problems or other health-related conditions that limit their ability to move and perform functional activities in their daily lives. PTAs work in various settings, including hospitals, private practices, outpatient clinics, home health, nursing homes, schools, sports facilities, and more. The PTA program combines general education courses, physical therapy courses, and clinical education experiences in area healthcare facilities. The PTA educational curriculum is a 5-semester on-ground program of study (beginning in the fall of each year) that prepares graduates for taking the National Physical Therapy Examination for Physical Therapist Assistants and entering the field of physical therapy with the required knowledge, skills, and behaviors for a PTA. Licensure is required in most states to work as a PTA.

Explore a Sample Course Schedule

Fall Semester

Rubric Course Hrs
BIOL 2010 Human Anatomy and Physiology I 4
PSCI 1010 Principles of Physical Science 4
PTAT 2200 Intro to Physical Therapy 2
PTAT 2460 Patient Care Skills for the PTA 4
PTAT 2410 Kinesiology for the PTA 4
Total Credits 18

Spring Semester

Rubric Course Hrs
ENGL 1010 English Composition I 3
BIOL 2020 Human Anatomy and Physiology II 4
PTAT 2440 Biophysical Agents for PTA 4
PTAT 2510 Musculoskeletal Conditions and Treatment for the PTA 5
PTAT 2370 Professional Development for the PTA 3
Total Credits 19

Summer Semester

Rubric Course Hrs
COMM 2025 Fundamentals of Communication 3
PTAT 2492 Integrated Clinical Education 4
Total Credits 7

 

 

Fall Semester

Rubric Course Hrs
PSYC 1030 General Psychology 3
  Humanities Course 3
PTAT 2520

Neuromuscular Conditions and

Treatment for the PTA
5
PTAT 2530

Medical/Surgical Conditions and

Treatments for the PTA
5
Total Credits 16
 

Spring Semester

Rubric Course Hrs
PTAT 2280 Seminar for the PTA 2
PTAT 2493 Terminal Clinical Education I 4
PTAT2494 Terminal Clinical Education II 4
Total Credits 10

 

 

Financial Fact Sheet

The link below provides the Financial Fact Sheet outlining the Physical Therapist Assistant program costs data.

Physical Therapist Assistant 2024 Financial Fact Sheet

Verification for Observation

Download the Physical Therapist Assistant Verification for Observation form here:

Physical Therapist Assistant Observation Verification Form

Applicant Information

Find the full information for applicants to the Physical Therapist Assistant Program in the document below:

Application Information for Physical Therapist Assistant Program

More information about the program

Admission Requirements

The PTA Program has specific admission requirements. To be considered for admission you must:

• Obtain regular admission status to the college.

• Complete all required learning support competencies (if applicable) prior to applying to the program.

• Possess a high school and/or college overall GPA of 2.5.

• Additional natural science coursework is preferred but not required.

• Submit all official high school/college transcripts to the Admissions Office and submit copies to the PTA program by the application deadline.

• Submit official ACT results to the PTA program by application deadline.

• Complete and submit proof of 24 hours of observation (volunteer) in physical therapy departments. Documentation of hours must be submitted with application. You can use previous or current P.T. Technician experience for 12 hours of this experience. (See program requirements)

• Submit a completed PTA program application by June 1 of the desired year of entry. http://healthsciences.jscc.edu

Preference will be given to applicants who exceed minimum criteria. Details of the applicant evaluation system are available by contacting the Health Sciences Office at (731) 425-2612. In the process of evaluating applicants, personal interviews will be scheduled for those who best meet and/or exceed the minimum requirements. The number of applicants interviewed will not exceed three times the number of available program positions. Applicants who meet the application deadline will be notified in writing of their acceptance status by July 1. Students admitted to the program will be required to comply with other program-specific retention requirements. Details of these requirements are available from the Health Sciences Office. 

Career Ready Program

Green Light Your Future in two years or less with a career-ready degree that prepares you to enter the workforce and excel. You will gain valuable hands-on experience and knowledge taught by instructors with real-world, professional experience.

CAPTE Accredited

The Associate of Applied Science Physical Therapist Assistant Major at Jackson State Community College is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE).

88.4%

Average Two-Year Graduation Rates

4-Year Average

97%

Average Two-Year Employment Rates

4-Year Average

91.25

Average Two-Year, First-Time/Ultimate NPTE Pass Rates

3-Year Average

Career Outlook

Career and Salary Information

The following is a list of career choices that may be obtained upon completing a bachelor's degree or higher in this discipline. Please visit the following website: http://www.onetonline.org or speak to an advisor for additional career opportunities, salary information, and education requirements. Salaries are not guaranteed.

Career

Beginning Salary with Bachelor's Degree in TN

Experienced Salary Median

Physical Therapist Assistant

-

$57, 490+

Further education, such as a bachelor's or master's degree in Physical Therapy, can unlock specialized career opportunities and advancement. Transfer opportunities to four-year colleges or universities provide a pathway for continued education and expanded career prospects in the dynamic field of Physical Therapy.

 

Physical Therapist Assistant

JSCC Physical Therapist Assistant Program at Jackson State Community College is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), American Physical Therapy Association, 3030 Potomac Avenue, Suite 100, Alexandria, Virginia 22305-3085 telephone: 703-706-3245 email: accreditation@apta.org website: http://www.capteonline.org. If needing to contact the program/institution directly, please call 731-424-3520, ext. 50214 or email fingram3@jscc.edu.

Current Accreditation Status:  Accredited

Initial Accreditation Date:  04/1992

Next CAPTE On-site Review:  Spring 2027

For information about filing a complaint with CAPTE:  http://www.capteonline.org/Complaints/

Complaints:  In addition to the CAPTE complaint process linked above, the following college and program policies and procedures pertaining to  submitting a complaint are as follows.  The Student Grievance Policy and Procedure can be noted in the College Catalog and Student Handbook and at https://www.jscc.edu/contact-us/complaints.html.  Students are encouraged follow the prescribed procedures (due process) if they feel that they have been subjected to unfair treatment by other students or college employees.  Complaints from other parties (outside of due process) should be directly reported to the PTA Program Director (fingram3@jscc.edu).   

Licensure:  PTAs must be licensed by the Tennessee Department of Health in order to practice physical therapy in this state (this is true in most other states, as well).  The Board of Physical Therapy, an office in the Division of Health Related Boards of the Department of Health, is charged with the licensure and regulation of PTAs in Tennessee.  For more information on the requirements for PTA licensure please go to the Board's website.   

NPTE:  Upon successful completion of JSCC's PTA program, graduates are eligible for the National Physical Therapy Examination that is administered by the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT).  This national examination is a part of the evaluation process used by the Tennessee Board of Physical Therapy in order to ensure a licensure candidate’s entry level competency.  For more information on this examination please see the Exam Candidate page of the Federation's website.

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