Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapist Assistant Program
Program Type
Bachelor of Science
Delivery Method
Online
Course Length
Approximately
16 Months
Program Objective
Why Do Students Choose Our B.S. in Physical Therapist Assistant Program?
Careers With a Physical Therapist Assistant B.S.
What Are My Career Opportunities With a Physical Therapist Assistant B.S.?
What Are My Career Opportunities With a Physical Therapist Assistant B.S.?
With a Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapist Assistant, graduates can become leaders in their field, take on increased responsibilities, guide change in their practice and advocate for patients.
Career opportunities include:
- Higher education, such as Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT)
- Leadership and management positions
- Full-time instructor position in PTA program (state-dependent)
- Further certifications that require a bachelor’s degree
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 much faster than the average for all occupations.
Continued Education
Continued Education
Don’t stop at your bachelor’s! At Pima Medical Institute, we offer an online Master of Science in Organizational Leadership. Get the skills needed to move up within your field, with the flexibility of virtual instruction. Work on your degree anywhere, anytime.
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.
Program Outline
Learn more about the courses in this program.
Transfer of Credit
15 general education, 39 PTA, 12 related credits
Semester l
Semester lI
Semester III
Semester IV
Interested In Starting This Program?
Find out more about our enrollment process, view our How to Apply page.
FAQs About Our Online Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapist Assistant Program
Can I apply to the BSPTA program if I am not yet a licensed Physical Therapist Assistant?
This is a “degree completion” program, so students must have graduated from a Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE).
Licensure/certification as a PTA in the United States is required prior to taking courses in semesters three and four.
What are the transfer credit requirements?
Applicants must have completed 66 semester credits at the postsecondary level, which must include:
- 15 General Education credits
- 39 PTA Technical credits
- 12 Related credits
All transfer courses must have a grade of “C” or better and be numbered 100 or above.
Is this BS in PTA program flexible for students working a full‑time PTA schedule?
Yes, this degree completion program is delivered entirely online and offers asynchronous coursework, allowing working physical therapist assistants to log in when convenient, while staying on track with weekly course milestones.
How long is the bachelor’s program?
The program is approximately 16 months (64 weeks / 4 semesters). Individual completion times may vary.
What will I learn in the B.S. in PTA program?
The B.S. in Physical Therapist Assistant curriculum promotes advanced understanding of topics such as:
- Evidence-based practice/treatment
- Practice-specific rehabilitation
- Pharmacology
- PTA technical skills
- Patient advocacy skills
- Leadership and management skills, including current policy issues
- Higher-level communication with patients, physical therapists and other medical professionals
- Advanced knowledge of technology and its use in physical therapy
Does the BSPTA program include specific coursework focused on inpatient or outpatient care?
One unique feature of the BSPTA program is the ability for students to choose between courses in Inpatient Care Practice or Outpatient Care Practice in Semester III. This allows you to tailor your education to your specific area of professional interest or current employment.
Is there a clinical externship?
No traditional clinical rotations are required, as the program is didactic and developed for working PTAs. Instead, students complete a Professional Capstone in their final semester. This involves a real-world application project related to their current PTA career and the creation of a professional e-portfolio, allowing students to showcase the skills learned in the BSPTA program to employers.
What can I do as a PTA with a bachelor’s degree that I can't do with an associate degree?
A bachelor’s degree may open doors to management and leadership roles, full-time instructor positions in PTA programs (state-dependent), and specialized certifications that require a four-year degree. A bachelor’s degree can also develop advanced communication and critical thinking skills within the physical therapy profession, which could help graduates improve patient advocacy and positively influence health outcomes.
Will this degree help me bridge to a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT)?
Most DPT bridge programs require a bachelor’s degree for entry. For students interested in pursuing a bridge program to their DPT degree, this BSPTA program provides the necessary bachelor’s degree credential, though all prospective students should check with the intended college(s) to confirm specific eligibility and transfer credit requirements.
Do Pima Medical Institute’s credits transfer to other schools?
Is Pima Medical Institute accredited?
Yes. Pima Medical Institute is institutionally accredited through The Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES). ABHES is recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education for the accreditation of private, postsecondary institutions in the United States offering predominantly allied health education programs.
Do I need a high-end computer for the online coursework?
No specialized hardware is required, but you must have a reliable computer (PC or Mac) and high-speed internet. Chromebooks and iPads are not fully supported for online coursework. Pima Medical Institute provides options to purchase a laptop if needed, and enrollment includes access to virtual resources and a learning platform to simulate real-world duties.
Can I take this program anywhere in the United States?
Yes. Because Pima Medical Institute is an approved institution through the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (NC SARA), the online program is available to residents in all U.S. states. (Refer to the “State Licensure Determination Disclosure” for details.)
Success Is Within Reach
We are truly invested in making sure our students succeed.
“I met my current husband in the PTA program. I literally opened the door to the lab for him one day and opened the door to a new life. In 2015, my husband and I started an outpatient rehabilitation facility, of which I am the director. It was a lot of hard work and I had to learn all the processes and make sure things were done the right way. But, we continue to grow and we love hiring Pima Medical graduates!”
Carmen Marquez, Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapist Assistant Graduate
Pima Medical Blog
How BSPTA Grads Are Advancing Their Careers
At Pima Medical Institute, our Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapist Assistant (BSPTA) program is designed to empower working PTAs to take the next step…
3-Time Graduate and Now Business Owner: Spotlight on Carmen Marquez
Carmen Marquez’s story is one of resilience and determination. She pursued her dream of becoming a Physical Therapist Assistant at Pima Medical Institute, eventually earning…
A Graduate’s Inspiring Journey of Continuing Her Education in the Online BSPTA Program
For licensed Physical Therapist Assistants (PTAs) seeking to elevate their careers, Pima Medical Institute offers an online Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapist Assistant (BSPTA)…
Disclosures And Accreditations
State Licensure Determination Disclosure
The Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapist Assistant program is offered via an online delivery method. Pima Medical Institute is an approved institution through the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (NC SARA) which allows Pima Medical Institute Tucson to offer distance learning programs to residents of states other than Arizona. Participation in NC SARA does not exempt an institution from state professional licensing requirements.
A student’s physical location is determined at the time of enrollment by submission of government-issued identification as well as a student attestation of their physical location in the enrollment agreement. Students agree to update the institution if their physical location changes. Students are able to notify the institution of a change to their physical location in the Pima Medical Institute Student Portal. Prospective students and enrolled students should understand that a change in physical location may adversely impact a student’s ability to complete the program. If a student is planning to relocate 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.