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This page contains complete information and ratings from Google Reviews on PTA schools in Michigan and was last updated on: April 20th, 2025 ✔️
Michigan currently has 10 CAPTE accredited Physical Therapist Assistant Programs that upon completion earn an associate degree and make you eligible to test for your state PTA license.
In the table of contents above and in the table below is a list of Michigan’s PTA programs, to learn more about each program click on the green Request Info button or click on a school’s name to learn more about it’s PTA program.
School | City | Rating | Director | Degree | Phone | Outcomes | Website | Address | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Baker College of Muskegon | Muskegon | 4.4 | Scott Henderson PT | Associate of Applied Science | scott.henderson@baker.edu | (231) 777-8800 | Outcomes | Website | 1903 Marquette Avenue Muskegon, MI 49442-1453 |
Baker College of Owosso | Owosso | 4.3 | Erin Smith PT, MPT | Associate of Applied Science | erina.smith@baker.edu | Not Available | Outcomes | Website | 1020 S Washington Street Owosso, MI 48867 |
Baker College of Royal Oak | Royal Oak | 3.8 | Jamie Janes DPT | Associate of Applied Science | jjanes07@baker.edu | (248) 276-8269 | Outcomes | Website | 420 S. Lafayette Ave Royal Oak, MI 48067 |
Delta College | University Center | 4.3 | Christopher Hausbeck PT, DPT | Associate in Applied Science | christopherhausbeck@delta.edu | (196) 140-0001 | Outcomes | Website | 1961 Delta Road, F-263 University Center, MI 48710-0001 |
Henry Ford College | Dearborn | 4.6 | Stephen Pedley PT, MPT | Associate of Applied Science | sepedley@hfcc.edu | (313) 845-9877 | Outcomes | Website | 5101 Evergreen Road Dearborn, MI 48128-2407 |
Kellogg Community College | Battle Creek | 4.4 | Julie Dawes PT, MSPT | Associate of Applied Science | dawesj@kellogg.edu | (269) 965-3931 | Outcomes | Website | 450 North Avenue Battle Creek, MI 49017-3306 |
Macomb Community College | Clinton Township | 4.5 | Carol Plisner PT, MA Ed | Associate of Applied Science | plisnerc@macomb.edu | (586) 286-2074 | Outcomes | Website | 44575 Garfield Road Clinton Township, MI 48038-1139 |
Mid Michigan College | Mt Pleasant | 4.5 | Amanda Wismer PT, DPT, MSA | Associate in Applied Science | awismer1@midmich.edu | Not Available | Outcomes | Website | Doan Center2600 S Summerton Mt Pleasant, MI 48858 |
Mott Community College | Fenton | 4.2 | Ashlee Wines DPT | Associate in Applied Science | ashlee.wines@mcc.edu | (810) 762-5021 | Outcomes | Website | Southern Lakes Branch Campus 2100 W. Thompson Rd. Fenton, MI 48430-9798 |
Washtenaw Community College | Ann Arbor | 3.1 | Ashley Bernstein PT, DPT, ATC, CSCS | Associate of Applied Science | abernstein@wccnet.edu | (734) 973-3628 | Outcomes | Website | Technical and Industrial Building, Room 1224800 East Huron River Drive Ann Arbor, MI 48105-4800 |
Baker College of Muskegon
- Degrees Earned: Associate of Applied Science in Physical Therapist Assistant
- Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE)
- Duration: 2 years
The Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) program at Baker College of Muskegon offers a hands-on, career-focused pathway to becoming a vital member of the healthcare team. Students earn an Associate of Applied Science in Physical Therapist Assistant after completing 78 credit hours over approximately two years. The program is fully accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE).
This limited-enrollment program provides a blend of classroom instruction, active lab participation, and clinical experience. Students learn to support physical therapists in delivering rehabilitation treatments for a variety of injuries and conditions. Courses cover essential skills such as therapeutic exercises, patient care techniques, and effective communication with both patients and healthcare professionals.
Baker College stands out with its flexible learning options. While core PTA classes are taught at the Muskegon, Owosso, and Royal Oak campuses, many general education and prerequisite courses can be completed through Baker Online or Online Live, offering convenience for students across Michigan.
Career prospects for graduates are strong, with growing demand for PTAs in hospitals, clinics, and rehabilitation centers. Baker’s direct admission program also offers high-performing first-year students a chance at guaranteed program placement and potential scholarships. With a practical curriculum and real-world clinical training, Baker College prepares students for immediate entry into a rewarding, high-demand healthcare career.
Baker College of Owosso
- Degrees Earned: Associate of Applied Science in Physical Therapist Assistant
- Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE)
- Duration: 2 years
The Physical Therapist Assistant program at Baker College of Owosso is a two-year, Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE)-accredited Associate of Applied Science degree. The program consists of 78 credit hours, including 28 hours of prerequisites and 50 hours of major requirements. Students learn to assist physical therapists with procedures and rehabilitation programs for various injuries and conditions through a combination of classwork, active lab participation, and clinical experience.
Courses include Functional Mobility, Clinical Education I, PTA Seminar in Specialty Practice among others. After completion, students are prepared to take the National Physical Therapy Assistants Examination (NPTAE) licensure exam to start their careers as physical therapist assistants.
Career prospects include hospitals, rehabilitation clinics, private practices, geriatric care facilities sports medicine centers etc. The PTAs work under the supervision of licensed physical therapists assisting in patient care.
Baker College also offers Extended Reality (XR) learning experiences providing immersive hands-on learning that prepares students for successful careers in healthcare fields. This unique feature enhances student’s understanding by allowing them to virtually practice techniques before applying them in real-world situations.
Admission into this program is highly competitive due to its limited enrollment capacity but high-performing incoming first-year students may qualify for guaranteed enrollment and scholarships through the direct admission program.
Baker College of Royal Oak
- Degrees Earned: Associate of Applied Science in Physical Therapist Assistant
- Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE)
- Duration: 2 years
Baker College of Royal Oak offers an Associate of Applied Science in Physical Therapist Assistant degree program. The two-year, 78-credit-hour program consists of a combination of classroom learning, active lab participation and real-world clinical experience. Students learn how to assist physical therapists with procedures and rehabilitation programs for various injuries and conditions.
The curriculum includes courses such as Functional Mobility, Clinical Education I, and PTA Seminar in Specialty Practice. The functional mobility course covers techniques for optimizing patient mobility while the clinical education course provides practical work experience under the supervision of a licensed physical therapist. The seminar focuses on advanced topics like aquatic rehabilitation, women’s health, vestibular rehabilitation etc.
Upon completion of the program students are prepared to take the National Physical Therapy Assistants Examination (NPTAE) licensure exam. Career options include working in hospitals, private practices, outpatient clinics among others.
This CAPTE-accredited program is unique due to its Extended Reality (XR) learning experiences which provide immersive hands-on learning preparing students for successful careers in healthcare field.
Admission into this highly competitive limited enrollment program may also qualify high-performing incoming first-year students for guaranteed enrollment and scholarships through Baker’s direct admission initiative.
Delta College
- Degrees Earned: Associate of Applied Science in Physical Therapist Assistant
- Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE)
- Duration: 2 years
Delta College offers a Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) program, which is an Associate in Applied Science degree. The five-semester cohort program begins in the fall and requires full-time dedication with classes building upon previous semesters. Students are expected to spend considerable time outside of class studying and practicing their skills.
The PTA program at Delta College, established in 1976 as the second oldest in Michigan, boasts a perfect 100% national exam pass rate. After passing the National Physical Therapy Examination, students can practice anywhere in the country but may face additional paperwork or costs for licensure depending on state requirements.
Coursework covers topics such as patient mobility, orthotics and prosthetics, orthopedic rehabilitation, pediatric and neurorehabilitation among others. Accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), Delta’s PTA program also encourages student involvement through its PTA Club which organizes community service projects and professional development activities.
Upon graduation from this accredited program students will be able to demonstrate professional behaviors of physical therapy field; use interpersonal skills to communicate with diverse people within healthcare settings; perform technical skills under supervision of a physical therapist; utilize critical thinking abilities to carry out an established plan of care under supervision; demonstrate ability to pass National Physical Therapy Examination.
In addition to this associate degree course Delta also offers dual degrees with General Management or Health Fitness Specialist allowing students further options for career growth.
Career outlook for graduates is promising: recent data shows that 100% of PTA grads passed their national licensure exam last year while all recent graduates are currently employed.
Henry Ford College
- Degrees Earned: Associate of Applied Science in Physical Therapist Assistant
- Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE)
- Duration: 2 years
The Physical Therapist Assistant program at Henry Ford College offers an Associate in Applied Science degree, established in 1990. The curriculum prepares students for employment as entry-level Physical Therapist Assistants through classroom learning, laboratory experiences, and local physical therapy facilities’ externships. Students spend their final semester on full-time clinical externships.
Upon completion of the program, students should be able to demonstrate knowledge and skills to provide care as a Physical Therapist Assistant, exhibit professional behaviors appropriate for practice, adhere to legal and ethical standards set by the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA), and deliver safe, efficient patient care across various settings.
Graduates can work under the supervision of a physical therapist in hospitals, rehab centers, sports medicine clinics among others. Career opportunities are projected to increase until at least 2024 with excellent job success rates; graduates have consistently achieved 100% employment within one year of graduation over recent years.
The program also provides information about potential occupational risks such as exposure to infectious diseases or latex allergies along with proper education on infection control procedures. It maintains transparency about its outcomes; for instance – two-year average graduation rate stood at 77.3% for 2023-24 while licensure ultimate pass rate was recorded at 85.3%.
Lastly, it is accredited by Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) ensuring high-quality training consistent with industry standards.
Kellogg Community College
- Degrees Earned: Associate of Applied Science in Physical Therapist Assistant
- Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE)
- Duration: 2 years
Kellogg Community College (KCC) offers a Physical Therapist Assistant Program that was the first in Michigan and sixth in the nation, with its inaugural class graduating in 1973. The program provides students with an Associate in Applied Science degree, preparing them for the National Physical Therapist Assistant Examination required for licensure. Courses cover theories behind treatment protocols, pathological conditions being treated, modalities and machinery used to treat those conditions, along with hands-on clinical affiliations supervised by professional physical therapists.
Graduates are eligible to sit for the National Physical Therapist Assistant Exam and enter the job market; some have also been accepted into doctoral programs designed specifically to transition physical therapist assistants to physical therapists. According to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data from 2014-2024 employment opportunities for PTAs were projected to grow at a rate of 40%, much faster than average.
The PTA Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), ensuring quality education and allowing graduates eligibility for national examinations. KCC’s PTA Program has maintained strong outcomes including a graduation rate of 66%, licensure exam pass rates of 94% ultimate pass rate/69% first-time pass rate and an employment rate of 100% among those seeking positions.
Macomb Community College
- Degrees Earned: Associate of Applied Science in Physical Therapist Assistant
- Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE)
- Duration: 2 years
Macomb Community College offers a comprehensive Physical Therapist Assistant program designed to prepare students for rewarding careers in the healthcare sector. The curriculum includes both theoretical and practical training, with courses covering topics such as anatomy, physiology, kinesiology, therapeutic exercise techniques, and patient care procedures.
Upon successful completion of the program, graduates will have earned an Associate Degree in Applied Science (AAS) in Physical Therapist Assistant. They’ll be equipped with the skills necessary to provide quality care under the supervision of licensed physical therapists.
The outcomes of this program are highly promising. Graduates can expect strong career prospects due to increasing demand for physical therapy services driven by an aging population and changes in healthcare legislation. Furthermore, they’ll be prepared to sit for the National Physical Therapy Examination for licensure as a PTA.
While Macomb Community College’s robust academic offerings are noteworthy on their own merit; it is also worth highlighting its commitment to accessibility and student support services. The college provides resources such as academic advising, counseling services and assistance for veteran & military students among others.
Although specific details about unique features or advantages offered by Macomb’s PTA Program were not provided from this source text; prospective students may find value exploring these aspects further directly through college outreach channels.
Mid Michigan College
- Degrees Earned: Associate of Applied Science in Physical Therapist Assistant
- Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE)
- Duration: 2 years
Mid Michigan College offers an accredited Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) program that prepares students for a high-demand career in healthcare. The PTA program is part of the Associate in Applied Science degree pathway and trains students to work under the supervision of physical therapists, assisting with treatment across all age groups.
The curriculum covers both theoretical knowledge and practical skills, allowing students to practice in a clinical setting under expert guidance. Graduates are equipped with the necessary knowledge, skills, values, and attitudes to provide compassionate, quality physical therapy care.
The PTA program at Mid boasts a 100% employment rate for licensed graduates who find meaningful employment shortly after graduation. PTAs earn roughly $58k per year nationally; however, this figure can vary based on location and experience level.
Accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), Mid’s PTA program has consistently demonstrated strong student outcomes. In recent years it has achieved an average graduation rate of 85.7%, first-time licensure pass rate of 62.5%, ultimate licensure pass rate of 100%, and employment rate also standing at 100%.
Unique features about Mid include tuition-free attendance through their Community College Guarantee initiative as well as personalized support from mentors throughout each student’s journey at Mid.
Mott Community College
- Degrees Earned: Associate of Applied Science in Physical Therapist Assistant
- Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE)
- Duration: 2 years
The Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) Program at Mott Community College prepares students for entry-level roles assisting licensed Physical Therapists in delivering care. This rigorous two-year associate degree program includes classroom instruction, lab work, and clinical experiences beginning in the first year. Students gain skills in data collection, patient interventions, documentation, discharge planning, and communication with patients and healthcare teams, all while recognizing cultural and individual differences in care.
To enter the program, students must meet pre-admission requirements such as reading and math placement, job shadowing, and completion of key prerequisite courses. Admission is competitive, with 24 students selected annually based on a points-based ranking system.
The curriculum includes courses like OTPT 113 and BIO 151, and requires a significant time commitment. Students should expect early morning to evening classes, weekend labs, and full-time clinicals during the final semester. Reliable transportation is necessary due to clinical placements up to 75 minutes from campus.
Tuition varies by residency status, ranging from about $7,544 to $11,977 annually, plus fees and supplies. Career prospects are strong, with opportunities in hospitals, outpatient clinics, and rehabilitation centers. Mott’s program is known for its in-depth training, hands-on experience, and emphasis on professionalism and adaptability in healthcare environments.
Washtenaw Community College
- Degrees Earned: Associate of Applied Science in Physical Therapist Assistant
- Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE)
- Duration: 2 years
Washtenaw Community College offers a comprehensive Physical Therapist Assistant (APPTA) program, leading to an Associate in Applied Science degree. Students are trained to assist physical therapists in providing services that improve mobility, relieve pain and prevent or limit permanent disabilities for individuals of all ages. The curriculum includes theoretical knowledge as well as practical skills which are applied in clinical settings.
Key outcomes of the program include understanding how to implement treatment programs, communicate effectively with healthcare teams regarding patient responses, and documenting patient care properly. Upon successful completion of the program, students can apply for Michigan licensure and take the National Physical Therapy Examination administered by the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT).
The APPTA program at Washtenaw is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE). It has been identified as a high demand, high skill and high wage course by the Michigan Community College Network.
Career prospects look promising with 587 annual job openings predicted over the next ten years according to current statistics. Median earnings for this profession stand at $60,491 annually within Michigan. For further information or queries about this program please call 734-477-8775 or email PTA@wccnet.edu.
PTA Careers in Michigan
Michigan offers a diverse range of employment opportunities for physical therapist assistants (PTAs) across various settings.
- In urban areas like Detroit, PTAs can find work in rehabilitation centers, hospitals, and outpatient clinics that cater to a large population with diverse needs.
- The Grand Rapids region, known for its healthcare facilities, provides additional roles in specialized clinics focusing on sports rehabilitation and pediatrics.
- In more rural regions, such as the Upper Peninsula, PTAs may work in community health centers or home health agencies, addressing the unique challenges of a less populated area.
Additionally, the state’s numerous educational institutions often employ PTAs for student therapy programs, further showcasing the varied landscape of opportunities available throughout Michigan.
Deciding Between PTA Schools in Michigan
There are a number of factors to consider when comparing PTA schools. Here is a quick list of some of the most important factors to keep in mind as you search for your physical therapy assistant school:
- School size
- Pass rates of the National licensure test
- Class and lab-room resources
- PTA School expenses and opportunities for financial aid
- PTA School admission requirements
As you bring all these PTA program factors into thought, it may be beneficial to talk with present-day students and former students of the physical therapist assistant programs of curiosity. Also, interviewing employers whom have hired these graduates can provide you more insight to each schools strengths and weaknesses.