PTA Schools in Louisiana (LA)

Bossier Parish Community College offers an accredited Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) Program. PTAs provide physical therapy services under the supervision of a physical therapist, helping patients with medical conditions that limit their ability to move and perform daily activities. The program is structured into a Pre-PTA component and Clinical component, which can be completed in two years for full-time students.

The curriculum includes courses on exercise for mobility, strength training, use of physical agents like ultrasound and electrical stimulation. Graduates are expected to pass the National Physical Therapy Exam Content Areas at or above the national mean, achieve all Program Learning Outcomes and gain employment within one year post-graduation.

Admission is competitive with academic criteria such as GPA and ACT WorkKeys scores being considered along with non-academic factors like interview performance. Students must also complete 40 hours of physical therapy observation or volunteer work in different settings under licensed PT/PTAs’ supervision.

Graduates have a high rate of employment due to the program’s reputation. Salaries tend to be higher outside Shreveport-Bossier City area where job availability continues to grow.

Delgado Community College offers an accredited Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) Program where students can earn an Associate of Applied Science degree. The program includes two parts: prerequisite courses and the PTA component, which consists of full-time class work and clinical experiences. Admissions to the program are selective with applications due by March 31st each year.

The curriculum is intensive, requiring up to 40 hours per week for classes and clinical education, plus another 20-25 hours for study and class preparation. Students may be required to attend clinics outside the New Orleans Metropolitan area and are responsible for their travel and housing costs.

Upon completion of the program, graduates are eligible to sit for the PTA licensure examination. They must pass this exam to become licensed PTAs in Louisiana. Employment opportunities post-graduation are excellent with a median income of $48,000 depending on various factors such as experience level or location.

Unique aspects about Delgado’s PTA Program include its high graduation rates (92%-100%) over recent years along with a significant employment rate within twelve months post-exam passing – reaching 100% in some instances.

However, it should be noted that technical courses from this PTA program do not transfer for credit towards a PT education program but some pre-clinical course hours might qualify as prerequisites.

Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University offers an Associate of Science – Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) degree program, designed to prepare students to assist in the treatment and assessment of physical therapy patients under the supervision of a licensed physical therapist. The program includes courses in anatomy, physiology, psychology, kinesiology, neurophysiology and more. Upon graduation from this program, individuals can pursue PTA licensure through the FSBPT national physical therapy examination.

The FranU PTA program has a high graduation rate with 87.1% (2 year average 2022-2024), and graduates have achieved an ultimate pass rate on licensing exams at 100%, which is above the national average. Also noteworthy is that all graduates from this period found employment as PTAs.

Admission into this competitive program requires applicants to meet minimum criteria including prerequisite coursework grades and GPAs among others; however priority is given to those who complete all prerequisites prior to enrollment or have completed Arts & Science prerequisite courses at Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University.

Unique features about FranU’s PTA Program include its flexibility allowing completion in five semesters or longer if desired by students; transfer-friendly policies; skilled faculty members committed towards student success; guaranteed admission provisions for certain categories of students meeting specific criteria.

The Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) Program at Louisiana Christian University is a two-year program that results in an Associate of Applied Science degree and eligibility to become licensed as a PTA. The curriculum includes courses such as Anatomy, Physiology, Modern Communication, Developmental Psychology, and more. Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 with grades “C” or better in all prerequisite courses.

Admission requires completion of an application packet by February 17th, 2025 which includes official transcripts from all universities/colleges attended and proof of at least 60 hours observation in two different physical therapy settings documented by licensed therapists on the Clinical Observation Form.

Graduates are prepared for careers in various clinical settings including hospitals, nursing homes, school systems etc., with the U.S Bureau predicting a workforce increase for PTAs over 30 percent between 2016-2026. The program faculty boasts nearly three decades combined experience and exceptional student outcomes.

Unique features include its Christian worldview context where students serve as role models within their communities whilst providing compassionate healthcare services. Additionally the university provides opportunities for lifelong education within the PTA career to ensure graduates can adapt to evolving health care systems.

PTA Careers in Louisiana

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

• In urban areas like New Orleans, PTAs can find positions in specialized rehabilitation clinics, hospitals, and outpatient facilities, where they assist in the recovery of patients with orthopedic and neurological conditions.
• Meanwhile, in Baton Rouge, healthcare systems often seek PTAs to support rehabilitation programs in long-term care facilities, catering to an aging population.
• Rural communities, such as those in Lafayette and Shreveport, provide PTAs the chance to work in local clinics, schools, and home health services, addressing the unique needs of residents in less populated regions.

Each of these locales presents an opportunity for PTAs to make a meaningful impact on the health and well-being of their communities.

Choosing a PTA School in Louisiana

There are a few of factors to consider when selecting physical therapist assistant programs. Here is a quick list of a few of the most crucial considerations to take into account as you research for your physical therapy assistant school:

• PTA School size
• Pass rate of the license exam
• Class and lab-room resources
• Program expenses and opportunities for financial aid
• College admittance criteria

While you take all these PTA program things into consideration, it can be useful to survey present-day college students and recent graduates of the physical therapist assistant programs of interest. Also, interviewing companies who have employed these students can give you more insight to each schools strengths & weaknesses.

More PTA Info for Louisiana:

LA PTA Licenses
LA PTA Salaries