PTA Schools in Missouri (MO)

The Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) degree program at Central Methodist University (CMU) equips students with the knowledge and skills to excel in a career as a PTA. The program emphasizes hands-on learning through technical courses, laboratory work, and real-world clinical experiences.

One unique feature of CMU’s PTA program is its “2+2” option for PTA/Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) majors. This innovative pathway allows students to earn both an Associate of Applied Science in PTA degree and a Bachelor of Science in OTA degree within four years. Students who successfully pass their board certification exams after completing their A.A.S in PTA are eligible for direct entry into the OTA Bachelor of Science degree program.

This seamless transition from PTA to OTA coursework coupled with an employment-friendly schedule makes graduates highly marketable within the profession. It also expands their employment opportunities by qualifying them for two distinct healthcare certifications.

The CMU campus is located in Fayette, Missouri. Prospective students should note that applying to this physical therapy program requires submitting an additional application directly to the university’s faculty besides the general university application.

For more information about this unique dual-degree track or any other aspect of CMU’s Physical Therapist Assistant Degree Program, prospective students can contact Dr Megan Roemer, the director of the course.

The Physical Therapist Assistant program at Concorde Career College in Kansas City offers an associate degree that can be completed in as few as 20 months. The program equips students with both theoretical knowledge and hands-on experience to effectively serve in a variety of settings supporting physical therapy treatments. Coursework includes therapeutic exercises, functional training, mobility training, ambulation training, and activities of daily living.

The college also offers the opportunity for students who have successfully completed degrees in Kinesiology, Athletic Training or other Health Sciences areas to transfer up to 18 semester credits.

Graduates are expected to communicate effectively with diverse groups of people and demonstrate behaviors indicative of commitment to their roles within the profession. They will also gain skills necessary for career development and life-long learning.

According to the U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics’ projections from 2023-2033, there is a national growth prediction of 19% for physical therapy assistants due to increased focus on rehabilitation and preventive care.

Concorde’s Physical Therapist Assistant program has been accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE). This accreditation ensures that graduates meet certain standards required by employers within this field.

The Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) program at Metropolitan Community College-Penn Valley offers a comprehensive curriculum that prepares students for careers in physical therapy. The program includes interactive classroom experiences and 720 hours of supervised clinical rotations, providing students with practical experience in the field. Students can choose between traditional classroom lectures or a web-based option, where lecture materials are learned through distance education.

This is a four-semester program that accepts approximately 22 on-ground students and 14 web-based students annually. Graduates are eligible to sit for state licensure examinations and meet educational requirements for national board certification as well as licensure for Missouri and Kansas.

According to the college’s outcome report, the average graduation rate is around 80% while employment rates upon graduation are above 95%. Moreover, there’s a bright career outlook with an expected growth of 9% from 2022 to 2032, along with an estimated median wage in Missouri of $61,310 by 2023.

Accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), this PTA program also provides support services such as student advising department assistance or direct contact with the Program Coordinator Dr. Randy Leighton.

Notably, MCC-Penn Valley encourages applications from all prospective PTAs regardless of their learning preferences – be it traditional face-to-face instruction or online learning.

The Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) program at the Cape Girardeau Career & Technology Center is offered in collaboration with Mineral Area College. This comprehensive program prepares students to treat patients under the supervision of a physical therapist, using therapeutic modalities such as exercise, joint and soft tissue mobilization, endurance training, neuromuscular re-education, and other techniques. The PTA program leads to an Associate of Applied Science Degree conferred through Mineral Area College.

Core PTA courses are taught by CTC faculty over 12 months starting each August. These classes run daily from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., with clinical rotations involving 8-10-hour shifts at healthcare facilities. In addition to core PTA courses, students must also complete between 24 and 26 credit hours of general education courses which can be taken online or at any MAC location.

Upon completing all degree requirements from this accredited PTA program, students may sit for the national board exam and pursue licensure in their chosen state. Admission requires completion of prerequisite courses, a minimum score on the pre-entrance test (TEAS), official educational transcripts submission to both CTC & MAC along with three work references; followed by an interview with a selection committee.

This unique partnership between Cape Girardeau Career & Technology Center and Mineral Area College allows students access to high-quality education in physical therapy assistance while providing flexibility for course completion.

Missouri Western State University offers a Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) Program which is a two-year Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree. The program prepares students to sit for the National Physical Therapy Exam (NPTE), enabling them to attain licensure as physical therapist assistants. This comprehensive program includes classroom, laboratory, and clinical education experiences with an emphasis on hands-on learning in a student-centered environment. Cohorts are limited to 20 students per year and all PTA courses are taught by experienced, licensed PTs and PTAs.

The curriculum consists of seventy-two credit hours over four semesters and two summer sessions, including nine credit hours of general education, fifty credit hours of PTA required classes, and thirteen credit hours of clinical education. Clinical internships occur during the summers between academic years.

Graduates from this program are eligible to apply for licensure in all states due to its accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE). They can work in various healthcare settings such as hospitals, rehabilitation centers, long-term care facilities among others.

The university boasts high graduation rates with averages around 85%, first attempt licensure exam pass rate at approximately 86% -100%, ultimate licensure exam pass rate at about 93% -100% while employment rate stands at 100%. Unique aspects include small class sizes ensuring personalized attention along with real-world experience through extensive clinical internships.

The Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) Program at Ozarks Technical Community College equips students with the skills to offer effective physical therapy under a physical therapist’s supervision. The program prepares PTAs who can positively impact patients recovering from injuries or diseases, and it is offered at the OTC Richwood Valley Campus in Ozark, MO. Students graduate with an Associate of Applied Science degree in Physical Therapist Assistant.

Courses focus on providing appropriate interventions based on research evidence, assisting therapists with data collection, documenting client interventions, and interacting effectively with clients and their families. Graduates find employment opportunities in outpatient clinics, hospitals, rehabilitation centers and other health-related organizations.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, job prospects for PTAs are expected to grow much faster than average for all occupations. This growth reflects increasing demand for physical therapy services as the population ages.

The PTA Program at Ozarks Technical Community College boasts impressive student outcomes including high pass rates on licensure exams and graduation rates along with excellent employment rates post-graduation.

This program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), ensuring that it meets high standards of education quality.

The Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) Associate of Applied Science program at St. Louis College of Health Careers-Fenton trains students to provide professional assistance to patients recovering from injury and illness under the supervision of a licensed physical therapist. The curriculum includes courses in medical terminology, English composition, anatomy & physiology, psychology, ethics, kinesiology, pathology, orthopedics among others. Students also gain practical experience through clinical internships.

Graduates can use physical modalities and adaptive equipment, collect patient progress data, document treatment responses and educate patients on therapeutic techniques application in their daily lives. They are prepared for work in outpatient clinics, hospitals home health agencies nursing homes schools sports facilities etc.

After graduation students are eligible to sit for a standardized exam by the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT) before obtaining their license.

The PTA program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE). According to U.S Bureau Labor Statistics demand for PTAs is expected grow significantly coming years providing excellent career opportunities graduates this field study.

St. Louis Community College – Forest Park offers an associate in applied science degree through its Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) program, the oldest of its kind in the St. Louis metropolitan area. The PTA program provides training for students to assist physical therapists in managing movement dysfunction and restoring physical function after illness or trauma.

The program spans two full academic years, starting in fall and including a summer semester. The first year consists of general education and related science courses while the second year focuses on core PTA courses, some involving full-time clinical work.

Upon completion, students are eligible to sit for the national licensure examination administered by the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT). Licensure is required in Missouri and most states.

The college also has clinical contracts with several facilities across Missouri, Illinois, and other surrounding states providing 15 weeks of full-time clinical experience under professional supervision.

In terms of career outlook, graduates can become licensed PTAs working under physical therapists’ direction to facilitate patients’ recovery and improve their overall physical function.

Notably, this intensive program discourages students from holding full-time jobs while enrolled due to heavy academic loadings.

St. Louis Community College’s PTA Program boasts high graduation rates averaging 91.4% over two years (2022-2023), licensure pass rates averaging 93%, and employment rates at a consistent 100%.

The Physical Therapist Assistant program at State Technical College of Missouri offers a comprehensive education for individuals interested in aiding patients’ recovery from injury, surgery or unexpected mobility issues. This program combines theory and hands-on work in a state-of-the-art lab to teach students the fundamentals of transfers, therapeutic exercise, gait training and other modalities such as ultrasound and e-stim. Students also learn how to assist physical therapists with diagnoses for people across all age groups.

Upon completion of this program, students are prepared to pass the licensure exam opening up a broad range of career opportunities. The college is part of the Missouri Health Professions Consortium (MHPC), which may offer additional resources and support.

According to recent statistics provided by the school, graduates have achieved an average mean salary of $64k with 98% job placement rate from 2017-18. The school emphasizes its commitment to truly hands-on education with experienced instructors teaching in real-world environments.

State Tech’s campus has over 50 labs dedicated specifically for practical learning experiences along with an automotive bay, aviation hangar and more than 40 acres land dedicated solely for heavy equipment operations programs.

PTA Careers in Missouri

Missouri offers a diverse array of employment opportunities for physical therapist assistants (PTAs) across various healthcare settings.

• In urban areas such as St. Louis, PTAs can find positions in hospitals like Barnes-Jewish Hospital, renowned for its comprehensive rehabilitation programs.
• Kansas City also presents opportunities, with facilities like Saint Luke’s Health System emphasizing outpatient care and sports rehabilitation.
• In more rural regions, such as Cape Girardeau, PTAs may work in smaller community clinics or skilled nursing facilities, providing essential services to aging populations.

Additionally, the growing focus on telehealth services allows PTAs in Missouri to reach patients in remote areas, expanding their employment landscape significantly.

Choosing a PTA School in Missouri

There are a few of considerations when comparing physical therapy assistant schools. Here is a short list of a couple of the most crucial considerations to bear in mind as you research for your physical therapist assistant school:

• Campus size
• Passing-rates of the NPTAE test
• Lecture room and labroom facilities
• School expenses and potential opportunities for financial aid
• Campus admission criteria

As you bring these physical therapy assistant program factors into consideration, it can be beneficial to talk with present-day college students and recent graduates of the PTA schools of interest. Also, talking to employers who have hired these graduates may give you more insight to each programs strengths and weaknesses.

More PTA Info for Missouri:

MO PTA Licenses
MO PTA Salaries