Compare PTA Schools and PTA Programs Near Me

Currently, as of August 2023, there are 661 CAPTE Accredited Physical Therapist Assistant Schools in the U.S. to choose from. With so many options, a prospective PTA student may struggle finding the best match for their needs. Although the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) does not rank PTA programs, quality of education is assured by CAPTE accreditation of the available physical therapy assistant programs.

It is currently required in all states to graduate from an accredited PTA program in order to sit for the physical therapist assistant licensure exam called the National Physical Therapy Exam (NPTE) administered by the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT).

The info on this page will help you find the best school for PTA in your area and prepare you to complete it successfully.

20 Best PTA Programs in the U.S.

Many people planning for their education want to know which are the top PTA schools. So, we created this list of the best 20 PTA programs with links to student reviews for each school.

Comparing Physical Therapy Assistant Programs

As you take these factors into consideration, it can be helpful to survey current students as well as recent graduates of the programs of interest. Also, interviewing employers who have hired these graduates can give you more insight to each program’s strengths and weaknesses.

What You’ll Learn in Your PTA Program

A quality PTA degree will provide, among other skills, a broad foundation in knowledge. Core didactic PTA coursework will include study in a variety of related subjects such as anatomy, physiology, biomechanics, kinesiology, exercise physiology, and more. Communication, ethics, neuroscience, and other related topics will be covered as well.

Outside of coursework you will complete a clinical practicum and learn hands-on skills. Hands-on skills are what PTA students develop when they’re in person working with patients on their physical therapy treatment plans. They do this under the supervision of a physical therapist and it is a critical part of your education.

The sections below share the primary qualities and skills students will develop in any PTA degree program. These skills prepare you to do competent professional practice, but more immediately they ready you for your NPTE exam and state licensing requirements to begin working as a licensed PTA.

Courses in PTA Programs

In a PTA program curriculum, the majority of courses are science courses such as anatomy, kinesiology, exercise physiology etc. However, an array of courses including communication, ethics and more will be included. Additionally, about 25% of the curriculum will consist of Clinical Education Courses. The table below shares the curriculum for classes in a PTA program.

Is PTA School Hard?

Many prospective students ask us, “How hard is PTA school?”

Generally speaking, PTA school is a good challenge but most students should be able to complete it. Students with an aptitude in the sciences and/or interest in the human body should excel in their physical therapy education program. However, anyone with a good work ethic and study habits will perform well.

Physical Therapy Assistant Requirements

Learn the education and schooling requirements to become a PTA, such as the type of degree required, PTA program length, tuition and fees, time spent in a classroom vs a clinical, state license requirements, and some general course requirements.

Physical Therapy Assistant Education Requirements

As you plan out your education needed to become a physical therapist assistant it is important to be aware of the degree requirements. The good news for PTAs is that they don’t have to spend 4 years in college to obtain their degree. Instead, they must attend an accredited college and earn a Physical Therapist Assistant, Associate Degree which can be completed in 2 years or 5 semesters.

There are currently 661 physical therapy assistant programs nationwide that offer associate degrees. Most of these degree programs consist of general education courses, physical therapy courses, and clinical education.

Physical Therapy Assistant Schooling Requirements

It is a good idea to know generally which courses you will take to obtain your PTA degree.

Physical therapy assistant curriculum primarily consists of:

• anatomy & physiology
• biomechanics
• exercise physiology
• kinesiology
• clinical pathology
• neuroscience
• communication
• behavioral sciences
• ethics/values

Included in this curriculum, as is included with many other allied healthcare careers, are CPR and basic lifesaving first aid skills.

Approximately 75% of the physical therapy curriculum is taught in classroom and lab study and the remaining 25% consist of clinical education. On average, a PT student spends 16 weeks in a full-time clinical education experience.

Planning for Physical Therapy Assistant Requirements

As you plan your career in physical therapy you have decisions to make regarding your education to make sure you complete the physical therapy assistant requirements. Alternatively, you can get started in your career as a PT aide and receive on the job training, without having to obtain an associate degree. Aides always have the option to go back to school to advance their careers and become a physical therapist assistant (PTA) or a physical therapist (PT).

So, research some of the available physical therapy assistant schools online and local PTA programs available. If you decide to bypass working as an Aide, to go for the required PTA associate degree, then keep in mind that with an online program you will still be required to complete the clinical portion of the degree offline, in a local PT clinic.

And of course, once you have met all of your PTA requirements, you can use our tools to search for the perfect PTA Jobs available in your area 🙂

Ready to Find a Local PTA Program?

Searching for “PTA programs near me”? To get started you can use our free PTA Program search by entering your zip code to see a list of programs offered in your local area. Or you can find accredited physical therapist assistant programs in your state searching our database. There are many community and technical colleges that offer all of the prerequisite courses and clinical experience required for your state licensure examination.

Can I Study Online?

Yes, there are physical therapist assistant programs taught online through distance learning. However, you’ll be required to complete your clinical training in person.

PTA Career Opportunities

Physical therapist assistants work under the supervision of a licensed physical therapist to provide skilled direct patient care. These professionals work in a variety of settings, including hospitals, rehabilitation centers, sub-acute care facilities, long-term care facilities, sports medicine clinics, and home health care agencies.

Therapists use a combination of therapeutic exercise, massage, and physical agents such as heat, cold, water, and electricity to make the injured or sick part of the body healthy again. Physical therapy is a service that allows patients suffering from physical disease and disability to get back on their feet.

The goals of rehabilitation treatment are to relieve pain, improve strength and mobility, and help patients reach their maximum physical potential while learning to live within the limits of their disability.

A good PTA, or any medical professional, should aim to not only have excellent academic skills but also strong interpersonal skills; this is because they will need to keep their patients’ and their families’ morale up. Additionally, they should have excellent written and verbal communication skills as this will be useful in the health care environment.

Accredited PTA program’s coursework requires both classroom and clinical instruction. After successfully completing the program, graduates are awarded an Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree, which allows them to sit for the state licensure examination in the state in which he or she plans to be employed.

The PTA program is designed for students who plan to enter professional practice as physical therapy assistants. Clinical courses in the degree are not accepted for transfer by most physical therapy programs. Students who are seeking admission to a physical therapy program should instead follow the Pre-Physical Therapy curriculum.

Footnote: For additional information on the accreditation process, the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) and the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) offer more information on accredited PTA programs.