Academic Programs>>Physical Therapist Assistant>>FAQ

Application Requirements | Courses | FAQ

Physical Therapist Assistant FAQ

What do you mean by observation hours?
Observation is required for admission to the PTA Program. There is a requirement of 25 hours prior to admission of either working or volunteering in a physical therapy setting. The forms required are part of the application packet.

What is the cost of the program?
The cost of the program is approximately $8,000-10,000 including tuition, lab fees, liability insurance fee, student uniform, immunizations and criminal background checks.

What is a typical schedule like?
The first year students attend classes only, and the PTA program courses are scheduled three days a week. The first internship (clinical) is 4 weeks in the summer following the first year. The second fall is again a classroom schedule with the last 12 weeks of internship(clinical) in the spring semester.

Where do I do my internships (clinical)?
The purpose of the PTA program’s three internship experiences (16 weeks) is to progress the student from the level of competence required to pass all previous technical coursework to the expected entry-level competent PTA graduate. This graduate PTA must meet the expectations of an employer hiring a new graduate PTA.

Following The PTA Program keeps a list of possible clinical sites, this list is always changing. Keep in mind that you are responsible for all costs associated with clinical rotations, including but not limited to: housing, food, travel, car repair, healthcare, and entertainment.

Clinical sites are a privilege with no cost to the college or the student. Therefore, clinicals are provided at the discretion of the clinical site and are not always available.