Physical Therapist Assistant, AAS

B&SC Code: PTAP
CIP Code: 51.0806
New York Hegis Code: 5219

Program: PTAP

Physical Therapist Assistants (PTAs) provide patient-centered care for individuals across the lifespan with medical conditions that impact movement and daily function under the direction and supervision of licensed physical therapists. PTAs practice in diverse settings, including outpatient clinics, hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, private practices, home health agencies, schools, sports facilities, and workplaces. PTAs play a vital role in promoting health and wellness by assisting patients with injury prevention, fitness programs, and strategies to improve mobility and overall well-being. Their responsibilities include assisting with therapeutic exercises, mobility training, manual therapy, data collection, and the application of physical agents such as ultrasound or electrical stimulation.

Bryant & Stratton College's Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Physical Therapist Assistant program prepares students for careers in various healthcare environments. The five-semester curriculum integrates classroom instruction, hands-on lab experiences, and clinical education. Students develop skills in patient assessment, evidence-based interventions, documentation, and treatment planning. The program includes two integrated clinical education experiences and two full-time terminal clinical rotations to reinforce learning in real-world settings. The last semester for PTA students requires full-time day clinical internship participation.

The PTA programs at the Parma, Southtowns, Syracuse, and Wauwatosa campuses are accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE):
Address: 3030 Potomac Avenue, Suite 100, Alexandria, VA 22305-3085
Phone: 703-706-3245 | Email: [email protected] | Website: www.capteonline.org

For direct program inquiries, contact:

• Parma Campus: 216-265-3151
• Southtowns Campus: 716-677-9500
• Syracuse Campus: 315-472-6603
• Wauwatosa Campus: 414-302-7000

Graduates of CAPTE-accredited programs are eligible to sit for the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE-PTA), administered by the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT), which is required for state licensure.

Important Notice: A felony conviction may impact a graduate's eligibility to take the NPTE-PTA or obtain state licensure.

Graduates of this degree plan will achieve the following program and institutional outcomes:

• Exhibit professional behavior, ethical standards, and values aligned with the responsibilities of a physical therapist assistant.
• Differentiate the distinct roles and responsibilities of the physical therapist assistant in collaboration with patients, families, physical therapists, and other healthcare professionals.
• Advocate for patients, physical therapy services, and the profession within diverse healthcare settings.
• Apply foundational physical therapy principles and theories to conduct data collection and implement interventions that support optimal patient outcomes.
• Deliver patient-centered care to individuals from diverse backgrounds across various healthcare systems while demonstrating cultural competence and inclusivity.
• Integrate research findings into clinical decision-making to support evidence-based practice and engage in lifelong professional learning. 
• Utilize appropriate current technology and resources to locate and evaluate information needed to accomplish a goal, and then communicate findings in visual, written and/or oral formats.
• Transfer knowledge, skills and behaviors acquired through formal and informal learning and life experiences to new situations.
• Employ strategies for reflection on learning and practice in order to adjust learning processes for continual improvement.
• Follow established methods of inquiry and mathematical reasoning to form conclusions and make decisions.
• Participate in social, academic, and professional communities for individual growth and to function as a citizen of a multicultural world.