The physical therapist assistant degree program prepares individuals to use equipment, conduct treatment interventions, implement physical therapy treatment plans, train patients, and observe and record patient progress. Typical courses include communication, ethics, kinesiology, basic health care skills, procedures of physical therapy, anatomy, physiology, wound and injury care, personal and professional ethics, medical disorders, therapeutic exercise, functional activities, and physical therapy modalities such as hot packs, first aid, and ultrasound. Students will acquire skills that include assessment, therapeutic massage, proper use of crutches, and more. Physical therapist assistants help patients who are recovering from injuries, illnesses, and surgeries regain movement and manage pain. They administer physical therapy treatments such as exercise, hydrotherapy, traction, or heat treatment under the supervision of a physical therapist. They also measure a patient's range of joint motion, ease of movement, and vital signs. Physical therapist assistants collect treatment materials, demonstrate exercises to patients, and may also have to do clerical work. Many states require PTAs to be licensed. Employment of physical therapist assistants is expected to increase 46 percent from 2010 to 2020. With a PTA degree, graduates can work in health practitioner offices, hospitals, nursing care facilities, sports training and fitness centers, schools, or industrial working environments.
Click Here to See the Best Colleges in the USNebraska Methodist College of Nursing & Allied Health offers 1 Physical Therapy Technician/Assistant degree programs. It's a small, private not-for-profit, four-year university in a large city. In 2024, 8 Physical Therapy Technician/Assistant students graduated with students earning 8 Associate's degrees.
Loma Linda University offers 1 Physical Therapy Technician/Assistant degree programs. It's a small, private not-for-profit, four-year university in a large suburb. In 2024, 32 Physical Therapy Technician/Assistant students graduated with students earning 32 Associate's degrees.
Northwestern University offers 1 Physical Therapy Technician/Assistant degree programs. It's a very large, private not-for-profit, four-year university in a small city.
Keiser University-Ft Lauderdale offers 1 Physical Therapy Technician/Assistant degree programs. It's a very large, private not-for-profit, four-year university in a midsize city. In 2024, 105 Physical Therapy Technician/Assistant students graduated with students earning 105 Associate's degrees.
Radford University offers 1 Physical Therapy Technician/Assistant degree programs. It's a medium sized, public, four-year university in a outlying town.
California Baptist University offers 1 Physical Therapy Technician/Assistant degree programs. It's a large, private not-for-profit, four-year university in a large city. In 2024, 12 Physical Therapy Technician/Assistant students graduated with students earning 12 Associate's degrees.
New England Institute of Technology offers 1 Physical Therapy Technician/Assistant degree programs. It's a small, private not-for-profit, four-year university in a large suburb. In 2024, 20 Physical Therapy Technician/Assistant students graduated with students earning 20 Associate's degrees.
University of Indianapolis offers 1 Physical Therapy Technician/Assistant degree programs. It's a medium sized, private not-for-profit, four-year university in a large city. In 2024, 26 Physical Therapy Technician/Assistant students graduated with students earning 26 Associate's degrees.
Rasmussen University-Minnesota offers 1 Physical Therapy Technician/Assistant degree programs. It's a medium sized, private for-profit, four-year university in a small city. In 2024, 10 Physical Therapy Technician/Assistant students graduated with students earning 10 Associate's degrees.
St Catherine University offers 3 Physical Therapy Technician/Assistant degree programs. It's a small, private not-for-profit, four-year university in a large city. In 2024, 20 Physical Therapy Technician/Assistant students graduated with students earning 12 Associate's degrees, and 8 Bachelor's degrees.
| School | Average Tuition | Student Teacher Ratio | Enrolled Students | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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New York University New York, NY | 18 : 1 | 56,832 | |
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Touro University New York, NY | 27 : 1 | 11,937 | |
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Nebraska Methodist College of Nursing & Allied Health Omaha, NE | 16 : 1 | 1,067 | |
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Loma Linda University Loma Linda, CA | 13 : 1 | 4,210 | |
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Northwestern University Evanston, IL | 15 : 1 | 23,856 | |