The Physical Therapist Assistant program prepares students to provide physical therapy interventions under the direction and supervision of a licensed physical therapist. Students will be prepared to select and provide effective physical therapy interventions, collect data to assess patient progress, and make recommendations to help patients reach their goals for rehabilitation safely. Students will learn to provide care to people who have had strokes, spinal cord injuries, head injuries, orthopedic and sports injuries as well as those who are preparing for or recovering from surgery. Graduates of the program are prepared to take the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE - PTA) to enter the workforce as licensed physical therapist assistants.
Effective Fall 2025
- School of Nursing & Health Sciences
- Associate of Applied Science Degree (A.A.S.)
- More Information about Physical Therapist Assistant
Career Opportunities
The employment outlook for physical therapist assistants is bright with a strong demand for PTAs in a variety of settings. PTAs can find employment in hospitals, home health settings, longterm care facilities, outpatient clinics, and specialty areas like neurologic rehabilitation and sports and orthopedics.
Recommended High School Subjects
A strong college preparatory program with an emphasis on math and science is recommended. Students should complete a minimum of algebra and trigonometry, with geometry strongly recommended. High school science coursework, including biology and human anatomy and physiology, is strongly recommended. Physics or chemistry coursework with a lab component is suggested.
Special Admissions Requirements
Anyone desiring entrance into this major must first gain admission to Penn College. Acceptance into this selective admission major is based upon additional requirements beyond College admission. Details are available on the Selective Admission Criteria and Process webpage.
Special Equipment Needs
Students will be required to purchase a PTA tool kit and designated Penn College polo shirts at the College Store. Refer to the Tools, Uniforms and Supplies sheet for a complete list of expenses.
Laptop Computer Required
- Windows 11 or higher (recommended).
- Intel Core i5 or i7 (generation 10 or higher) processor (recommended).
- 8+ GB RAM (recommended).
- 250+ GB Solid State Disk (SSD) drive (recommended).
- Laptop must include a webcam and microphone (required).
- Laptop must include a wireless network card (required).
- Broadband Internet connection when working off campus (required).
- Additional plug-ins may be required (Information Technology Services Service Desk available for assistance).
- Chromebooks and other devices running Chrome OS are prohibited.
Remediation Strategies
All incoming students must meet placement requirements in math. Students are expected to remediate any deficiencies as explained in the College Catalog (see https://www.pct.edu/catalog/admissions-policy).
Transfer Procedures
This major is subject to the transfer standards established by the College (see http://www.pct.edu/catalog/TransferringCredits).
International health credentials/licensure, science courses, and most math courses will not be accepted to satisfy requirements of this major. Please see additional information for international students applying to Health Science majors.
Program Goals
A graduate of this major should be able to:- demonstrate the knowledge, skill, and professional behaviors needed to provide entry-level care to patients in an ethical, legal, and safe manner.
- work collaboratively and effectively under the direction and supervision of a licensed physical therapist to provide care for patients across the lifespan.
- select and provide effective physical therapy interventions and data collection measures within the established plan of care.
- demonstrate effective oral, written, and nonverbal communication in a culturally competent manner with a diverse population of patients, family, caregivers, and other healthcare professionals.
- demonstrate a commitment to professional growth and lifelong learning to promote contemporary evidence-based practice.
Performance Standards
Students enrolled in the Physical Therapist Assistant major must earn at least a “C” (2.0) in an applicable math course (MTH123 or higher), ENL111, MTR100, BIO115, PSY111, and all PTA courses.
The following grading system is applied to all PTA courses (there is no rounding of grades):
A = 90-100
B = 80-89.99
C = 75-79.99
F = 74.99 and below
Curriculum
| First Semester | Credits | Notes | Lecture | Lab/Clinical | M/S | Type | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FYE101 | First Year Experience | 1 | .50 | 1.50 | S | REQ | |
| BIO115 | Human Anatomy & Physiology I | 4 | 3 | 3 | S | REQ | |
| ENL111 | English Composition I | 3 | 3 | S | REQ | ||
| MTR100 | Medical Terminology Survey | 1 | 1 | S | REQ | ||
| MNA | Math Elective (MTH123 or Higher) | 3 | S | MNA | |||
| PSY111 | General Psychology | 3 | 3 | S | REQ | ||
| TOTAL CREDITS | 15 | ||||||
| Second Semester | Credits | Notes | Lecture | Lab/Clinical | M/S | Type | |
| BIO125 | Human Anatomy & Physiology II | 4 | 3 | 3 | S | REQ | |
| FIT | Fitness & Wellness Elective | 1 | S | FIT | |||
| PTA100 | Introduction to Physical Therapy | 3 | 3 | M | REQ | ||
| PTA121 | Clinical Kinesiology | 4 | 2 | 6 | M | REQ | |
| PTA130 | PT Procedures I | 4 | 2 | 6 | M | REQ | |
| TOTAL CREDITS | 16 | ||||||
| Summer Session | Credits | Notes | Lecture | Lab/Clinical | M/S | Type | |
| PTA210 | Pathology for the PTA | 2 | 2 | M | REQ | ||
| SPC201 | Interpersonal Communication | 3 | 3 | S | REQ | ||
| CSC124 | Information, Technology & Society | 3 | 3 | S | REQ | ||
| TOTAL CREDITS | 8 | ||||||
| Third Semester | Credits | Notes | Lecture | Lab/Clinical | M/S | Type | |
| PTA215 | Level 1 Clinical Experience | 2 | M | REQ | |||
| PTA220 | Therapeutic Exercise | 3 | 2 | 3 | M | REQ | |
| PTA230 | Clinical Neurology | 4 | 3 | 3 | M | REQ | |
| PTA226 | Physical Agents | 3 | 2 | 3 | M | REQ | |
| TOTAL CREDITS | 12 | ||||||
| Fourth Semester | Credits | Notes | Lecture | Lab/Clinical | M/S | Type | |
| PTA250 | PT Procedures II | 3 | 2 | 3 | M | REQ | |
| PTA261 | Rehabilitation | 4 | 2 | 6 | M | REQ | |
| PTA265 | Orthopedics & Sports in PT | 3 | 2 | 3 | M | REQ | |
| PTA241 | Professional Issues in Physical Therapy | 2 | 2 | M | REQ | ||
| TOTAL CREDITS | 12 | ||||||
| Summer Session | Credits | Notes | Lecture | Lab/Clinical | M/S | Type | |
| PTA270 | Level 2A Clinical Experience | 3 | M | REQ | |||
| PTA275 | Level 2B Clinical Experience | 3 | M | REQ | |||
| TOTAL CREDITS | 6 | ||||||
Notice of Conviction
Child abuse clearance and criminal background checks are required by agencies involved in clinical education experiences. Agencies can bar students from their sites if a criminal record exists or a positive drug test is noted. By virtue of contract for Penn College students to be at clinical sites, drug testing is required for admission and students will be subject to random drug testing while in the Physical Therapy Assistant Program. The Pennsylvania State Board of Education and Licensure and APTA advise that a drug-related conviction and/or conviction of a felonious act may result in denial and/or revocation of a license to practice physical therapy. Inability to gain clinical education experiences results in inability to meet program objectives and outcomes, and will have a negative impact on a student's ability to progress through the curriculum. For additional clarification, students should speak with their program director.
Penn College complies with the federal Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act Amendments of 1989. Pursuant to this Act, all forms of marijuana, including medical marijuana, are classified as prohibited controlled substances. Additionally, alcohol, illegal drugs, and legal drugs obtained without a prescription or which may impair a student’s ability to perform his/her educational responsibilities are strictly prohibited. Students are subject to drug screening at various phases of the program. Please note that a positive drug screening for marijuana will be deemed a positive test and will result in a student being dismissed from the program, even if the student has been lawfully certified to use medical marijuana and/or possesses a valid medical marijuana identification card issued in accordance with applicable state law.
Accreditation
The Physical Therapist Assistant program at Pennsylvania College of Technology is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), 3030 Potomac Ave., Suite 100, Alexandria, Virginia 22305; telephone: 703-706-3245; email: accreditation@apta.org; website: http://www.capteonline.org . If needing to contact the program/institution directly, please call 570-320-4439 or email pta@pct.edu.
Technical Standards/Essential Functions
In order to complete the Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) curriculum and be prepared for work as a PTA, students must be able to meet the program's academic and technical standards, with or without reasonable accommodations. The program wishes to ensure that access to its facilities, programs, and services is available to all students, including students with disabilities. Students with disabilities are encouraged to contact the Disability and Access Resources office (dar@pct.edu or 570-320-5225) immediately to begin confidential conversation about possible accommodations necessary to meet these standards. Additional details are available here .