Physical Therapist Assistant Associate Degree Program

Get started in a career helping physical therapy patients recover.
icon-book

Program Type

Associate Degree

hands-d

Delivery Method

On Campus

icon-calendar

Course Length

Approximately
18 months

Program Objective

This associate degree program will give you the skills necessary to work as an outstanding entry-level physical therapist assistant under the supervision of a licensed physical therapist. Courses address important topics such as anatomy, physiology, kinesiology, disease and conditions, medical terminology and ethics and law. At Pima Medical Institute, hands-on training prepares you with clinical skills such as physical therapy interventions and knowledge of treatment plans, as well as professional skills such as data collection and administrative procedures.

All Locations

Find this program at one of the following Pima Medical Institute campuses.

Careers as a Physical Therapist 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.

Add Your Heading Text Here

Semester l

CMT 100
Medical Terminology
BIO 100
Anatomy and Physiology I
PTA 110
Introduction to Physical Therapy
MTH 100
Math and Physics Applications
CCM 135
Communications for the Health Professions
CLE 120
Law and Ethics

Semester II

PTA 103
PTA Techniques
BIO 109
Anatomy and Physiology II
PTA 104
Fundamentals of Disease
PTA 105
Growth and Development
PTA 120
Introduction to Kinesiology

Semester III

PTA 200
Kinesiology
PTA 201
Rehabilitation I
PTA 205
Therapeutic Exercise I
PTA 210
Clinical Practicum I

Semester IV

PTA 207
Therapeutic Exercise II
PTA 202
Rehabilitation II
PTA 211
Clinical Practicum II

Semester V

PTA 204
Administrative Procedures
PTA 208
Special Topics
PTA 209
PTA Seminar
PTA 212
Clinical Practicum III

*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.

PTA_graduate_Luis_Guerrero_hero
icon-quote
“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

Check out our blog posts on the Physical Therapist Assistant program. We provide insights, information, alumni spotlights, news and other valuable articles to keep you updated.

Disclosures And Accreditations

Start Your Future as a Physical Therapist Assistant