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Physical Therapist Assistant Associate Degree

On-Campus
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Associate of Applied Science

Physical Therapist Assistant Program

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20 months

Approximate Program Length

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71 credits

Total Credits

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Do you have a passion for helping others overcome physical challenges? A career as a physical therapist assistant (PTA) might be the perfect fit for you. PTAs work under the supervision of licensed physical therapists, helping clients of all ages improve mobility, strength, and overall quality of life through personalized care and rehabilitation exercises.

Accredited PTA Programs in Ohio, New York & Wisconsin

Choosing an accredited PTA program is essential for your career. Accreditation ensures that the program meets rigorous educational standards, a requirement to work as a physical therapist assistant and sit for the National Physical Therapy Exam (NPTE). At Bryant & Stratton College, our physical therapist assistant programs in NY, plus our PTA programs in Wisconsin and Ohio, prepare students to excel in this growing field. With a curriculum that combines classroom learning, hands-on lab experience, and integrated clinical training, students graduate ready to make a meaningful impact in healthcare.

Why Choose Bryant & Stratton College?

Our PTA degree program provides students with the skills and knowledge to assist physical therapists in a variety of medical settings, including outpatient clinics, rehabilitation centers, hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, private practices, home health agencies, schools, and athletics facilities.

With PTA programs offered in key locations, students gain both local connections and a nationally recognized education that opens doors to rewarding careers.

Through in-depth coursework and four clinical experiences, our program blends theoretical learning with practical application. Students gain expertise in patient care techniques, including electrotherapy, therapeutic massage, and exercise-based rehabilitation. This hands-on training ensures graduates are prepared to offer client-centered care in diverse healthcare environments.

Path to PTA Licensure

Upon completing the physical therapist assistant program, graduates will have the educational foundation to take the NPTE licensure exam. Becoming a licensed PTA is the key to working in this dynamic field, and Bryant & Stratton College provides the preparation needed to succeed. Students are also encouraged to join professional organizations like the American Physical Therapy Association to stay connected to industry advancements.

Where can you take this program?

Our Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) programs are tailored to fit your lifestyle and career goals. With vibrant campuses across Wisconsin, New York, and Ohio, you can access a high-quality, accredited education close to home.

Use our interactive map to explore campus locations near you, find contact information, and discover how our PTA degree program can help you achieve your career aspirations in Ohio, New York, Wisconsin, and beyond.

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Whether it’s online, on-campus, or remote, our programs are designed to offer flexible learning options for your degree.

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Program Outcomes

 Graduates from the associate degree Physical Therapist Assistant Program will be able to:

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Demonstrate professional behavior and values, moral and ethical standards and attitudes consistent with the career of the physical therapist assistant.

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Articulate the distinct roles and responsibilities of the physical therapist assistant as they apply to interaction with patients, family members, physical therapists, and other professionals.

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Be an advocate for patients, services and for the profession.

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Apply physical therapy principles and theories to data collection and intervention in order to achieve desired outcomes.

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Provide services to patients of varied backgrounds in various systems without bias.

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Utilize research in order to make evidence-based practice decisions and demonstrate lifelong learning.

Key Courses

For a full course listing, please refer to the Bryant & Stratton College catalog.

  • PTAP101
     - Introduction to Physical Therapy
  • PTAP102
     - Fundamentals of Physical Therapy
  • PTAP111
     - Kinesiology
  • PTAP120
     - Motor Development and Aging
  • PTAP130
     - Clinical Medicine/Pharmacology
  • PTAP201
     - Physical Therapy Modalities
  • PTAP202
     - Data Collection
  • PTAP210
     - Therapeutic Exercise
  • PTAP225
     - Physical Therapist Assistant Clinical Internship IA
  • PTAP230
     - Neurological/Neuromuscular Rehabilitation
  • PTAP237
     - Professional Practice and Management in Physical Therapy
  • PTAP240
     - Physical Therapy Interventions
  • PTAP245
     - Orthopedics and Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation
  • PTAP260
     - Physical Therapist Assistant Clinical Internship IB
  • PTAP270
     - Physical Therapist Assistant Clinical Internship IIA
  • PTAP271
     - Physical Therapist Assistant Clinical Internship IIB
  • BIOL113
     - Anatomy and Physiology I
  • BIOL213
     - Anatomy and Physiology II
  • BIOL205
     - Pathophysiology
  • COMM115
     - Introduction to Information Literacy
  • ENGL101
     - Research and Writing I
  • ENGL250
     - Research and Writing II
  • MATH201
     - College Mathematics: Quantitative Reasoning
  • PSYC101
     - Principles of Psychology
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    Valuable Internship Experience

    In addition to your classroom experience, we recognize the importance of real-world application. Through our partnership network, students are provided with opportunities to actively apply their learnings within their chosen field.

    Careers

    What can you do with a Physical Therapist Assistant Degree?

    Physical therapist assistants most often work in hospitals, nursing homes, and outpatient clinics under the direction and supervision of a licensed physical therapist. A Physical Therapist Assistant associate degree prepares you to help patients perform exercises, observe and report patient progress, and instruct patients on the use of assistive devices.

    A Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) assists an older man in a yellow shirt with an arm exercise, helping him lift a dumbbell in a bright, indoor setting. Both appear focused and engaged in the physical therapy activity.
    Physical Therapist Assistant

    Accreditation & Disclosures

    The Physical Therapist Assistant Programs at Bryant & Stratton College – Parma, Southtowns, Syracuse, and Wauwatosa Campuses are accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), 3030 Potomac Avenue, Suite 100, Alexandria, VA 22305-3085; telephone: 703-706-3245; email: [email protected]; website: www.capteonline.org.

    If needing to contact the program/institution directly, please call the Parma Campus at 216-265-3151; the Southtowns Campus at 716-677-9500; the Syracuse Campus at 315-472-6603; the Wauwatosa Campus at 414-302-7000.

    Please contact [email protected] to make a comment or report a concern about the PTA Program. If you would like, please include your name, address and telephone number along with your comments. Once received one of the PTA Program Directors will be in contact with you if further clarification is needed. Confidential comments or concerns may be made by contacting the Grievance Coordinator at the corresponding campus.

    Concerns about the PTA Program can be made to the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) by contacting the APTA Accreditation Department at 703-706-3245 or at [email protected]

    What are Students Saying?

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Yes, every state requires the successful completion at least an associate-level education in order to become a physical therapist assistant. At Bryant & Stratton College, our AAS in Physical Therapist Assistant program offers the education and training needed to take the National Physical Therapy Exam for PTAs.

    An associate-level degree is the minimum education required to sit for the National Physical Therapy Exam for PTAs and start your healthcare career. Bryant & Stratton College’s AAS in Physical Therapist Assistant program offers the instruction and integrated clinical experiences you need to achieve your educational goals and pursue a career as a physical therapist assistant.

    Under the direct supervision of a physical therapist, a physical therapist assistant (PTA) helps provide relevant therapeutic services to patients of all ages, helping them restore movement and mobility in functional areas of their lives.

    The first step is to fulfill the educational component of the job by completing a relevant associate-level PTA degree program. It should offer all the lecture and hands-on training you need to be successful as a PTA – including clinicals. Then, you’ll need to sit for the National Physical Therapy Exam for PTAs. Bryant & Stratton College offers a 71-credit-hour program you can complete in five semesters of study that checks all the boxes.

    Bryant & Stratton College’s AAS in Physical Therapist Assistant program is designed to be completed in five semesters, offering two integrated clinical education experiences and two terminal clinical education experiences in multiple settings to prepare you for a lifetime of healthcare career success.

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