Physical Therapist Assistant Program

What is a Physical Therapist Assistant? 

• A PTA works under the supervision of a physical therapist. They also help patients work towards independent function after such cases as: strokes, spinal cord injuries, sports injuries, back injuries, work-related injuries, surgeries, neurological disorders and heart attacks.
• To become a PTA one must graduate from a Physical Therapist Assistant Program that is accredited by the American Physical Therapy Association and pass a national licensure examination.
• PTA's can be employed by, hospitals, nursing homes, home health agencies, private practices, school systems and can earn as much as $32,000 in the state of Alabama.

• College courses that one would take in order to enter a Physical Therapist Assistant Program include:

Anatomy & Physiology
Science elective (Chemistry, Physics, Microbiology) or CIS elective
College Algebra
English Composition
Humanities and Fine Arts elective
Speech
General Psychology
Human Growth & Development

What is the difference in a Physical Therapist and a Physical Therapist Assistant?

Career Comparisons

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