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This page contains complete information and ratings from Google Reviews on PTA schools in Nebraska and was last updated on: April 22nd, 2025 ✔️
Nebraska currently has 5 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 Nebraska’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 | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Clarkson College | Omaha | 4 | Jessica Niemann PTA, MEd | Associate of Science | niemannjessica@clarksoncollege.edu | (402) 552-3100 | Outcomes | Website | 101 South 42nd Street Omaha, NE 68131-2715 |
Clarkson College - (Expansion) | Omaha | 4.1 | Jessica Niemann PTA, MEd | Associate of Science | niemannjessica@clarksoncollege.edu | Not Available | Outcomes | Website | 101 South 42nd Street Omaha, NE 68131-2739 |
Nebraska Methodist College | Omaha | 4.7 | Shannon Struby PTA, MA | Associate of Science | shannon.struby@methodistcollege.edu | (720) 000-0000 | Outcomes | Website | 720 North 87th Street Omaha, NE 68114 |
Northeast Community College | Norfolk | 3.9 | Laura Schwanebeck PT, MPT | Associate of Applied Science | lauras@northeast.edu | (402) 371-2020 | Outcomes | Website | 801 East Benjamin Avenue PO Box 469 Norfolk, NE 68701-6831 |
Southeast Community College | Lincoln | 3.7 | Bridget Clark PT, MPT | Associate of Applied Science | bclark@southeast.edu | (402) 437-2725 | Outcomes | Website | 8800 O Street Lincoln, NE 68520 |
Clarkson 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 Clarkson College is one of the most prestigious programs in its field. Established in 1994, it has hundreds of clinical education sites across the United States. The PTA program offers undergraduate associate and bachelor’s degrees, as well as options to supplement your PTA education with a second degree simultaneously for specialized learning.
Students learn to provide safe and effective rehabilitative care under the supervision of a physical therapist through traditional on-campus learning or hybrid learning which combines online flexibility with immersive on-campus skills weekends per semester. Graduates may choose to advance their career by completing a PTA Bachelor’s degree.
Clarkson College boasts being the second program in the nation to offer a PTA Bachelor’s degree, having over 250+ clinical sites across more than 25 states, maintaining an impressive student-to-faculty ratio for on-campus labs (1:12), and having nationally recognized students by the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA).
The college also has a strong tradition of excellence in physical therapy education with multiple recipients from APTA awards including seven graduates earning APTA Mary McMillan Scholarship Award and eight students receiving APTA Minority Scholarship Award.
This comprehensive educational experience prepares graduates for successful careers within this sought-after field providing exceptional patient care.
Nebraska Methodist 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 Nebraska Methodist College offers an Associate’s Degree that can be completed in less than two years. The curriculum includes hands-on clinical experience, exposure to various specialties and cutting-edge technologies, and instruction from expert clinicians. Students graduate with an additional certification to increase their marketability.
The PTA program emphasizes effective English communication skills within healthcare settings. It also ensures students are well-prepared for success by offering support throughout the duration of the course and beyond graduation.
Career prospects for PTAs are promising; according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there is a projected job growth rate of 19 percent between 2023 and 2033. In addition, graduates must pass the National Physical Therapy Exam (NPTE) before practicing as licensed physical therapists who play a crucial role in supervising PTAs.
Unique features of this CAPTE-accredited program include free certification for students, discounted CEU’s for alumni, guaranteed admissions upon meeting specific requirements, and a consistently high pass rate on national exams over recent years.
In terms of practical experience during training, students will spend 710 hours in clinical settings located around Omaha metro area including hospitals, outpatient practices home health facilities etc., using state-of-the-art equipment to administer treatments such as movement exercises or massage therapy among others.
Northeast 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 Northeast Community College is a rigorous, academically intensive program that prepares students to work as valuable healthcare providers in any physical therapy setting. The program combines engaged teaching and learning experiences with practical training using current technology and innovative exercise equipment. Students are required to perform the PTA Essential Functions and Physical Demands, complete a physical exam, necessary vaccinations, tuberculosis test, criminal background check, and drug screen for their second-year clinical experiences.
Graduates of the program will be well-prepared to take the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) for PTAs. The PTA Program at Northeast Community College is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE).
In addition to its demanding academic curriculum, this program distinguishes itself through its realistic simulation of clinical settings during training sessions. This hands-on approach equips students with practical skills that can be directly applied within their future careers.
Applications are currently being accepted for Fall 2025 intake into this Associate of Applied Science Degree course. Further information regarding application processes or general inquiries about the institution can be directed via phone call or email.
Southeast 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 program at Southeast Community College offers an Associate of Applied Science degree. Students learn how to assist physical therapists in helping patients regain mobility and independence. The curriculum includes classroom instruction, laboratory skills training, and clinical education where students provide care to patients under the direction of a clinical instructor.
Coursework covers areas such as kinesiology for PTA, musculoskeletal conditions and rehabilitation, neurological conditions and rehabilitation, physical agents, advanced conditions and rehabilitation, contemporary trends in physical therapy among others. There are also general education requirements including courses on speech communication, written communication and critical thinking & problem solving.
Graduates are prepared to take the national licensure exam for physical therapist assistants. Employment is expected to grow 31% through 2026 due to increasing health care needs of an older population along with growing rates of chronic conditions like diabetes and obesity.
Unique aspects about this program include its dedicated lab space where students explore strengthening muscles dealing with complex injuries requiring higher level treatment; it’s accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE); all PTAS courses must be completed with a grade of 75% or higher; laptop computer is required for students in this program; criminal background check will be required prior taking certain courses or completing the program; there’s initial drug testing prior first clinical rotation.
PTA Careers in Nebraska
Nebraska offers a diverse range of employment opportunities for physical therapist assistants (PTAs) across various healthcare settings.
- In metropolitan areas like Omaha and Lincoln, PTAs can find positions in hospitals, rehabilitation centers, and outpatient clinics, catering to diverse patient needs from post-surgical recovery to chronic pain management.
- In Omaha, facilities such as CHI Health and Nebraska Medicine are prominent employers, providing advanced rehabilitation services.
- Rural regions, such as North Platte and Kearney, also require PTAs in community hospitals and skilled nursing facilities, emphasizing the importance of rehabilitative care in less populated areas.
This blend of urban and rural opportunities makes Nebraska a promising state for PTAs seeking fulfilling careers.
Comparing PTA Schools in Nebraska
There are a number of things to consider when comparing PTA programs. Here is a short list of a few of the most important considerations to always remember as you search for your PTA school:
- College size
- Pass-rate of the license exam
- Course room and lab facilities
- College expenses and opportunities for financial aid
- PTA School admission criteria
While you bring these physical therapist assistant program things into consideration, it can be helpful to talk with current college students and recent graduates of the physical therapist assistant schools of interest. Also, interviewing firms who have employed these graduates can give you more insight to each schools strengths and weaknesses.