Physical Therapist Assistant AS Degree Program

Important Program Application Information

The PTA program will resume accepting applications! For the next application period only, the program’s application period is scheduled for January 15-February 16, 2024, with the first semester of PTA Program coursework starting in the Summer 2024 Term. Starting in 2025, the program will resume its normal application period of May 1-31, 2025, with PTA coursework to begin in Fall 2025.

The pre-requisite courses include:

    1. ENC 1101 – English Composition I
    2. BSC 2085C – Anatomy & Physiology I
    3. POS 2041 – American National Government OR AMH 1020 – History of the United States: 1877 to the Present

The program has a new application requirement consisting of attending one Program Informational Meeting, times and dates are posted below.

    1. January 24, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. (Virtual Only) Zoom link
    2. February 12, 2024, at 12:00 p.m. (Virtual Only) Zoom link

An additional component was added to the selection process system. An essay on why you want to be a Physical Therapist Assistant must be submitted.

Please note: To apply to the program, students must be admitted to the College before applying. This process can take 6-8 weeks. Please click here for more information.

Please visit the Admissions Requirements page here for further information regarding the Admissions Requirements.

Physical Therapist Assistant
Programs: AS-25540
As an integrated two-year curriculum, the program offers the students the opportunity to earn an Associate of Science degree with immediate entry into a rewarding career upon successful completion of the licensure exam.

What is a Physical Therapist Assistant?

Physical Therapist Assistants are members of the healthcare team who provide direct patient care under the supervision of a licensed physical therapist. A PTA provides patients treatment for various diagnoses across the lifespan to improve their ability to move, reduce or manage pain, restore function, and prevent disability. PTAs help patients regain or maintain their independence and achieve functional goals and mobility.

For more information about salary, education,  licensure, and work settings, please visit the American Physical Therapy Association website here.

Program Details

The Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) Program at Polk State College is an integrated two-year curriculum and offers an opportunity to earn an Associate in Science in Physical Therapist Assistant degree with immediate entry into a rewarding career upon successful completion of the licensure exam. The Program is a 74-credit Associate in Science degree program that trains and qualifies graduates to work in the physical therapy field. A student seeking admission must first be admitted to the College and complete the prerequisite courses before beginning the program. The program requires a separate application process for acceptance into the program. The program follows a merit-based point system for the selection admissions process. Please see the admission requirements for more details.

OUTCOMES

Graduation, Employment, and Licensure Pass Rates 

CohortFirst-Time Pass RateUltimate Pass RateGraduation RateEmployment Rate
202390%100%
202254.6%100%
202159.1%68.2%
2022-202371.4%100%61%100%
2021-202257.5%78.7%77.8%100%

Accreditation

The Physical Therapy Assistant Program at Polk 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: www.capteonline.org.

If you need to contact the program/institution directly, please call 863.669.2904 or email mkrell@polk.edu.

If you need to contact the program directly, please contact:

Mary Krell, MPT
Program Director, Physical Therapist Assistant
Phone: 863.669.2904
Internal Extension: 5751
Email: mkrell@polk.edu

Regina Tino, CCI
Coordinator, Clinical Education, Physical Therapist Assistant
Phone: 863.669.2906
Internal Extension: 5754
Email: rtino@polk.edu