Physical therapist assisting a patient with treatment.

Physical Therapist Assistant, A.S. (Limited Access Program)

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Complete a short program interest form here and an Admissions specialist will get back with you.

Your Path to Success

Are you passionate about making a difference in people's lives? As a Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA), you'll play a crucial role in the healthcare team, implementing treatment plans designed by Physical Therapists to help patients regain mobility, strength, and independence.

What you'll do as a PTA

Apply physical agents: Use techniques such as cold and heat therapy, electrical stimulation, and traction to aid patient recovery.
Therapeutic exercise programs: Develop and guide patients through exercises that enhance strength, balance, and coordination.
Functional skills training: Help patients improve their mobility and everyday functional skills.
Team collaboration: Work closely with Physical Therapists, adjusting treatments as patients' medical conditions evolve.

Program details

Annual admission: We admit students once per year during the Spring semester.
Full-time day program: This intensive, hands-on program starts in January 2025.
Application deadline: Submit your application by October 31, 2024.
Attend a program information session.

Admission requirements:

Observation hours: Complete at least 20 hours observing licensed Physical Therapists or Physical Therapist Assistants across at least two different settings (outpatient, inpatient, long-term care). Note: Some facilities may require a background check.
BLS certification: Obtain Basic Cardiac Life Support certification for all ages and AED, affiliated with the American Heart Association or American Red Cross.
Academic standards: Achieve a grade of 'C' or better in all corequisites and PTA courses.
Health screening: Provide proof of a recent physical examination, immunizations (tetanus, MMR, varicella, Hepatitis B), and a negative PPD test for tuberculosis (or a chest X-ray if needed).
Attend a program information session.

Career opportunities

Physical Therapist Assistants find rewarding careers in diverse settings, including

Nursing Homes
Outpatient Clinics
Acute Care Hospitals
Rehabilitation Centers
Public Schools
Various Other Agencies

With a projected 24% growth in employment from 2021 to 2031 (U.S. Department of Labor), PTAs are in high demand, making this a promising career choice.

Ready to make a difference?
Join our PTA program and embark on a fulfilling career where you can help others regain their independence and improve their quality of life. Apply now and take the first step towards becoming a licensed Physical Therapist Assistant!

Observation Hours Form

PTA Information Packet

PTA Student Handbook

School of Health Careers application

Get the training you need to pursue a rewarding career as a physical therapist assistant.

Additional Information about the Physical Therapist Assistant Degree

See Cost Details & Financial Aid

See Course Details

Accreditation

The PTA Program at Daytona State College is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), 3030 Potomac Ave., Suite 100, Alexandria, Virginia 22305-3085; telephone: 703-706-3245; email: accreditation@apta.org; website: http://www.capteonline.org. If needing to contact the program/institution directly, please call please call (386) 506-3752 or email Robert.Wagner@DaytonaState.edu.

Daytona State College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award associates and bachelor’s degrees. Degree-granting institutions also may offer credentials such as certificates and diplomas at approved degree levels. Questions about the accreditation of Daytona State College may be directed in writing to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097, by calling (404) 679-4500, or by using information available on SACSCOC’s website (www.sacscoc.org).

Program Outcomes: 2022-2023

Program outcomes are shown for the most recent two years where complete data was available.

Two-year Ultimate Pass Rate	87.4%
First-time Pass Rate	65%
Graduation Rate	77%
Employment Rate	95%

key dates

Mandatory Information Sessions

Potential applicants must attend one of the scheduled sessions in-person on Thursday's from 6-7 p.m. Sessions will be held on the Daytona Campus Building 320, Room 513:

Thursday, March 6, 2025
Thursday, April 17, 2025
Thursday, June 10, 2025
Thursday, August 21, 2025
Thursday, September 18, 2025
Thursday, October 16, 2025

Physical Therapist Assistant FAQs

The following courses must be completed with a grade of “C” or better to be considered for entry into the PTA program:
- BSC 1085 Human Anatomy & Physiology I & Lab
- ENC 1101 College Composition I
- PHT 1006 Introduction to Physical Therapist Assistant
- MAC 1105 College Algebra or MGF2106 College Math
Program Co-Requisites
- BSC1086 Human Anatomy & Physiology II & Lab
- POS2041 American Federal Government or AMH2020 United States History 1865 to Present
- Humanities Elective
In addition, students are required to have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or greater, complete a minimum of 20 hours (documented) of volunteer service under the supervision of a PT or PTA. Volunteer hours must be a minimum of five (5) hours in at least two (2) different types of healthcare settings. Attend a mandatory program information session.
Tuition for this 74 credit hour program will be approximately $7,576.00 ($102.38 per credit hour) for Florida residents and $29,500.00 ($398.65 per credit hour) for non-residents. Approximately $1,200 will be needed for textbooks, lab fees, uniforms, etc. A satisfactory Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE- $90) Level II Background Screening to include Fingerprinting and Drug Testing. This must be completed and received prior to the first day of classes for applicants who have been accepted. Additional funds will be needed for clinical internships for transportation, meals, and possible housing. An additional Level II Background Screening may be needed prior to clinical courses.
All official transcripts must be submitted to the DSC Admissions Department. The Records Department will then determine which credits are transferable/equivalent to the A.S. degree program.
Yes. You must pass the state licensure examination to obtain a license, which enables you to practice in the state of Florida. This examination process will cost about $850.
Employment opportunities for PTAs in the area appear to be excellent. According to the U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics, overall employment of physical therapist assistants is projected to grow 24 percent from 2021 to 2031, much faster than the average for all occupations.
Salaries may vary with each agency, however, a salary of approximately $38, 000 per year can be expected.
The program starts every Spring semester (January). Applications may be obtained by contacting Melissa Brown, Academic Advisor at (386) 506-3052 or Melissa.Brown-Mack@DaytonaState.edu.
PTA courses usually do not transfer throughout the United States. PT Programs are highly competitive in their admissions process for Doctoral degrees. These programs usually do not give “preference” to PTAs.
Contact the American Physical Therapy Association at www.apta.org.