PTA Schools in Iowa (IA)

Hawkeye Community College offers a two-year Physical Therapist Assistant program leading to an Associate of Applied Science degree. The curriculum includes hands-on clinical and simulated experiences, therapeutic exercises, and effective communication with patients and healthcare teams. Students gain 640 hours of supervised clinical education in various settings such as hospitals, outpatient clinics, rehabilitation facilities, home health settings, and care facilities.

The college boasts a high success rate for its graduates; the two-year average pass rate is 85% while the graduation rate stands at 100%. Graduates are qualified to take the National Physical Therapy Assistant Examination (NPTAE) for state licensure.

Unique features of Hawkeye’s program include daily patient scenarios that simulate different clinical settings and training in the Van Gerpen Patient Simulation Center using lifelike manikins. A $21 million renovation transformed Grundy Hall into a modern healthcare education center equipped with advanced simulators for realistic hospital setups.

Successful completion qualifies students for Future Ready Iowa Last-Dollar Scholarship which can cover up to 100% tuition costs. The school also offers support services including academic advising, financial aid scholarships, student resources clubs/organizations arts/culture events recreation/fitness RedTail Athletics.

Indian Hills Community College offers a Physical Therapist Assistant (A.A.S.) Associate of Applied Science program. This life-changing course equips students with the skills to work in various settings under the direct supervision of a physical therapist. The curriculum includes helping patients through exercises, educating them about their condition, collecting progress data, and performing treatments such as massage and electrical stimulation.

The program is located at Ottumwa Main Campus with an entry term during fall. It spans seven terms or 21 months with a total cost of $20,919. In-state tuition costs $203 per credit hour while out-of-state tuition is $255 per credit hour.

Program outcomes show promising statistics: Graduation rates range from 50% to 76%, first time NPTE pass rate ranges from 71% to 100%, ultimate NPTE pass rate consistently hits 100%, and employment rate also remains at a solid 100%.

Indian Hills has articulation agreements and transfer plans with many four-year colleges and universities for those wishing to continue their education after completion of this A.A.S degree.

The Physical Therapist Assistant Program at Indian Hills Community College is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), making graduates eligible for licensure in all states including District Columbia, Puerto Rico, and U.S Virgin Islands.

Kirkwood Community College offers a two-year Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) program, leading to an Associate of Applied Science degree. The PTA program prepares students to assist physical therapists in providing treatment for patients with disabilities or those recovering from injuries. Students learn how to provide treatments such as strengthening, flexibility, aerobic conditioning, balance activities, functional training and more.

The program begins each year in the fall and requires mandatory background checks and other compliance items for clinical participation. The primary location for PTA students is at Kirkwood’s Linn County Regional Center in Hiawatha.

Graduates are expected to demonstrate ethics, values and responsibilities appropriate for a PTA; manage patient care using the appropriate framework; interpret plans of care; monitor patient responses; provide necessary interventions identified by the PT; perform physical therapy tests and measures among others.

Upon completion of this accredited program by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), graduates qualify to take the licensure exam given by the Federation of State Boards in Physical Therapy. Successful completion allows them to obtain state licensure with an ultimate pass rate reported at 89% for academic year 2023.

Students enrolled in Kirkwood’s PTA Program are encouraged to join HOSA – a global student-led organization exclusively dedicated towards health science education.

The Accelerated Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) program at Mercy College of Health Sciences in Des Moines, Iowa, offers a unique opportunity to earn an Associate of Science degree in just one year. This intensive three-semester professional program combines classroom instruction, hands-on lab work, and clinical experiences with top healthcare providers across central Iowa. Students must complete general education prerequisites before entering the core PTA curriculum.

Courses include Kinesiology, Therapeutic Exercise, Pathophysiology, and multiple clinical rotations that prepare students for real-world patient care under the supervision of licensed physical therapists. Upon graduation, students are eligible to sit for the National Physical Therapy Exam required for licensure.

Mercy College boasts impressive outcomes: a 100% licensure pass rate and employment rate (2022–2023), with graduates earning a mean annual wage of $65,860. The field has strong growth prospects with a projected 32% increase in jobs from 2020–2030.

What sets this Catholic institution apart is its commitment to servant leadership and personalized education delivered by experienced faculty—including PhD-prepared science instructors and practicing clinicians. Accredited by CAPTE (Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education), Mercy College emphasizes professionalism and critical thinking throughout the student journey.

With small class sizes and dedicated support services like career resources and campus ministry programs, Mercy’s PTA program prepares graduates not only for successful careers but also meaningful service within their communities.

The Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) program at North Iowa Area Community College (NIACC) is a two-year Associate in Applied Science degree designed to prepare students for careers assisting physical therapists in various healthcare settings. The curriculum includes classroom instruction and hands-on clinical experiences, focusing on therapeutic exercises, modalities like ultrasound and electrical stimulation, manual therapy techniques, and patient progress assessments.

Students must complete 76.5 semester hours across five terms plus one summer session. Prerequisites include coursework in anatomy, physiology, math, biology, chemistry or physics, as well as CPR certification and background checks. A minimum grade of C is required in all PTA courses to remain in the program.

Graduates are eligible to sit for the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE), with NIACC’s 2022–2023 cohort achieving a 100% first-time pass rate and employment rate post-graduation. Clinical placements may require travel or additional housing costs due to varied site requirements.

Accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), NIACC’s PTA program meets licensure requirements nationwide. It also qualifies for Iowa’s Future Ready Last Dollar Scholarship funding.

What sets NIACC apart is its strong outcomes—particularly its perfect board pass rates—and personalized student support through detailed handbooks and academic advising throughout the program journey from application through graduation and licensure preparation.

The Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) program at Western Iowa Tech Community College (WITCC) in Sioux City offers a comprehensive Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree, requiring 72.5 credits for completion. Accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), this program prepares students to work under licensed physical therapists, helping patients recover from injuries and manage pain through therapeutic exercises, manual techniques, and patient education.

Students receive hands-on training and classroom instruction designed to meet national licensure standards. The curriculum ensures graduates are academically prepared for the National Physical Therapy Examination for PTAs. Recent data shows strong outcomes: a two-year average graduation rate of over 74%, first-time licensure pass rates up to 91.7%, and consistent employment rates of 100%.

Applicants must meet specific entrance requirements including high school transcripts, ACT or TEAS scores, or prior healthcare credentials/college coursework. Unique features include access to experienced faculty, modern facilities in Sioux City, financial aid options such as the Iowa Last-Dollar Scholarship for free tuition eligibility, and support services like tutoring and career counseling.

Graduates can pursue careers in hospitals, outpatient clinics, rehabilitation centers, schools, or home health settings across all U.S. states due to CAPTE accreditation meeting nationwide licensure standards.

For more information or assistance with enrollment steps such as applying or registering for classes at WITCC’s PTA program visit witcc.edu.

PTA Careers in Iowa

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

• Major urban centers like Des Moines and Cedar Rapids house numerous hospitals and rehabilitation facilities, such as UnityPoint Health and Mercy Medical Center, where PTAs can provide essential therapeutic support to patients recovering from surgeries or injuries.
• In rural areas, such as Dubuque and Mason City, community health clinics and long-term care facilities also require skilled PTAs to assist with rehabilitation programs.

Additionally, specialized clinics focusing on sports medicine and pediatrics, like the Iowa Sports Medicine Institute, present further opportunities for PTAs to enhance their career prospects while contributing to community health.

Comparing a PTA School in Iowa

There are a couple of of factors to consider when choosing amongst physical therapy assistant programs. Here is a quick list of a few of the most significant factors to remember as you search for your PTA program:

• Campus size
• Passing-rates of the license test
• Class and lab buildings
• PTA School expenses and opportunities for financial aid
• Campus admittance requirements

As you bring all these PTA school factors into thought, it may be useful to survey present-day students as well as former students of the PTA schools of interest. Also, talking to businesses whom have actually employed these graduates may provide you more insight to each schools strengths & weaknesses.

More PTA Info for Iowa:

IA PTA Licenses
IA PTA Salaries