Physical Therapist Assistant Associate Degree Program
Program Type
Associate Degree
Delivery Method
On Campus
Course Length
Approximately
18 months
Program Objective
Physical therapist assistants help patients who are recovering from injuries or illnesses to improve their movement and mobility through various exercises and activities. These treatment plans are provided under the direction and supervision of a licensed physical therapist.
The day-to-day responsibilities of physical therapist assistants vary by patient. Common duties will include aiding patients with recovery from various injuries or illnesses, such as an athlete recovering from a sports-related injury, an infant struggling to reach developmental milestones or a patient learning to walk again after back surgery.
Students in the Physical Therapist Assistant program will learn how to assist physical therapists with specialized techniques designed to improve patient mobility, relieve pain and limit permanent physical disabilities. Students will also gain experience in using certain equipment that helps increase mobility and function in daily activities.
Through extensive hands-on experience, taught by instructors with years in the field, students will feel confident in treating patients through exercise, gait/balance training and other therapeutic activities. Classes will also cover the observation and monitoring of patients before, during and after therapy, reporting status to the physical therapist.
Graduates of the program from this school are eligible to apply to sit for the National Physical Therapy Examination (for physical therapist assistants).
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Careers as a Physical Therapist Assistant
What Are My Career Opportunities as a Physical Therapist Assistant?
What Are My Career Opportunities as a Physical Therapist Assistant?
This associate degree program will prepare graduates to apply their skills in a variety of settings, such as:
- Offices of physical therapists
- Hospitals
- Nursing care facilities
- Home healthcare services
- Outpatient clinics
- School system
Job Outlook
Job Outlook
Demand for physical therapy is expected to increase in response to the healthcare needs of an aging population and individuals with chronic conditions, such as diabetes and obesity.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the overall employment of physical therapist assistants and aides is projected to grow exponentially from 2020 to 2030.
Continued Education
Continued Education
At Pima Medical Institute, we offer an online Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy Assistant program. This degree gives existing physical therapy assistants the skills needed to move up within their field, with the flexibility of virtual instruction. Work on your degree anywhere, anytime.
Online B.S. in Physical Therapy Assistant
When you’re a Pima Medical Institute student, you get access to our Career Services team—here for you when you need extra help with finding the right job opportunities, building a resume, strengthening your interview skills or just looking for general guidance.
Clinical Externships
At Pima Medical Institute, most programs allow students to work in their field through clinical externships—a chance to be mentored by full-time professionals and interface with real patients.
In addition to real-world experience, clinical externships offer students resume-worthy opportunities, letters of recommendation from supervisors, and sometimes job placement directly after graduation.
Program Outline
Learn more about the courses in this program.
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Semester l
Semester II
Semester III
Semester IV
Semester V
*Program length is 75 weeks. The total number of program hours is 1,586 at all campuses except Las Vegas. The Las Vegas campus program hours total 1,631. The Las Vegas program includes one additional 3 credit class presented online or on-ground (HST 205 Nevada History and US Constitution). Graduates of the Houston program will receive an Associate of Applied Science degree, while all other graduates will receive an Associate of Occupational Science degree. Graduates are eligible to apply to sit for the National Physical Therapy Examination (for physical therapist assistants).
Interested In Starting This Program?
Find out more about our Admissions Requirements or view our How to Apply page.
Success Is Within Reach
We are truly invested in making sure our students succeed.
“My instructors were always willing to help and did a great job preparing us for our new careers. When it came time for clinicals, they arranged sites in my hometown where I was exposed to every setting from hospitals to home health. I am appreciative of the extra effort on the part of Pima Medical to make this happen.”
Luis Guerrero, Physical Therapist Assistant Graduate
Pima Medical Blog
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Disclosures And Accreditations
State Licensure Determination Disclosure
The Physical Therapist Assistant program is offered via on-ground and hybrid delivery methods. The program is available to residents of Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Texas, and Washington, and meets applicable licensure requirements in those states. While there may be online components, completion of this program requires on-ground attendance at the campus at which the student is enrolled and cannot be completed solely via distance education. Prospective students and enrolled students should understand that moving out of the state in which they enrolled may adversely impact a student’s ability to complete the program. If a student is planning to relocate outside of their state of enrollment he or she is required to discuss this with the Student Services Coordinator and/or Program Director.
In compliance with 34 CFR 668.43 Pima Medical Institute has made a reasonable effort to determine graduate eligibility for licensure in all states for programs designed and advertised as leading to licensure. The document below lists Pima Medical Institute programs and states where the curriculum meets licensure requirements, states where the curriculum does not meet licensure requirements, and states in which Pima Medical Institute has been unable to determine if the curriculum meets state licensure requirements. All consumers should be advised that due to the frequent changes to state statutes, rules, and regulations Pima Medical Institute cannot guarantee licensure based on the lists below.
Accreditation and Program Information
PTA Public Comments: Comments on the Pima Medical Institute Physical Therapist Assistant program are welcome any time; any issues or concerns that fall outside of the Pima Medical Institute PTA program or institutional due process policies should be addressed to the Campus Director. If there are any concerns about the Physical Therapist Assistant program, please refer to the contact information provided for that program on the Accreditation page.
Download CAPTE Disclosure Information / Outcomes
| PTA Student Financial Fact Sheets | ||
|---|---|---|
| Albuquerque | Las Vegas | Seattle |
| Denver | Mesa | Tucson |
| Houston | San Marcos | |
View accreditation information for all programs by campus
View program costs, additional disclosures and outcomes for this program (if applicable)