Physical Therapy Assistant Degree Program

What Is Physical Therapy Assisting?

Physical therapy is a branch of health care that addresses illnesses or injuries that inhibit a person’s ability to perform functional activities. This is done by assessing a patient’s history and movement, and then establishing a management plan that includes exercises, manual therapy and manipulation, and mechanical devices.

Physical Therapist Assistants (also referred to as PTAs) work under the direction and supervision of a physical therapist to contribute to overall patient care and are the only other members of the health care community who are qualified and licensed to provide physical therapy services.

This position is not to be confused with physical therapist aides, who are also supervised by physical therapists but cannot work directly with patients and are more focused on cleaning treatment areas and equipment and taking care of scheduling and administration.

Physical therapist assistants perform tasks like observing patients before, during, and after therapy; helping patients with specific exercises as prescribed by the supervising therapist; using assistive devices and equipment; discussing specifics of the treatment plan with patients and family members; and utilizing therapeutic interventions like massage, stretching, and gait and balance training. They also have to ensure that they record patient performance and progress and report to the physical therapist to ensure that the treatment is effective.

How Do You Become a Physical Therapist Assistant?

All states require physical therapist assistants to be licensed or certified, and that starts with earning an associate degree from a qualified, accredited school like Casa Loma College.

If you are interested in enrolling in a physical therapist assistant program, you will want to make sure it’s approved by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education, and ideally, it will also prepare you to pass the National Physical Therapist Assistant (NPTA) examination, a key certification that you will need in the job market.

At Casa Loma, we also ensure that graduates of our Physical Therapist Assistant program have a clear understanding of the PTA role that is consistent with both the laws and regulations of the jurisdictions in which they practice and the American Physical Therapy Association’s Guide for the Conduct of the Physical Therapist Assistant.

What Will You Learn in Physical Therapist Assistant Classes?

The Associate of Applied Science Degree in Physical Therapist Assistant at Casa Loma is a five-semester blended learning program that combines classroom work with in-person, hands-on training in both labs and clinical practicums. Our PTA faculty are all currently licensed professionals, up to date on all their competencies and requirements, focused on making sure they deliver the most up-to-date education utilizing the latest teaching tools and techniques.

Our physical therapist assistant courses cover topics like:

• Medical terminology
• PTA techniques
• Pathophysiology
• Evidence-based practices
• Clinical biomechanics for the upper and lower extremities
• Cardiopulmonary path and intervention
• Lifespan development
• PT for special populations
• Physical therapy modalities

What’s the Outlook for Physical Therapist Assistant Careers?

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, job growth for physical therapist assistants is projected to be 33% through 2029 — that’s over 8 times higher than the average for all occupations. Mostly this will be seen in openings at the offices of physical, occupational, and rehab centers, which accounted for almost half of all PTA jobs in 2019, but there will also be a lot of growth in hospitals.

Additionally, the BLS projects that nursing care and skilled nursing facilities will have a growing need for physical therapist assistants as a growing percentage of our population ages and requires help staying functional and active as they live longer.

Get Started With a Physical Therapist Assistant Program

If you’re interested in playing a key role in the long-term health and care of your community, Casa Loma College can prepare you to get started in one of the fastest-growing, most in-demand career paths with our Associate of Applied Science Degree in Physical Therapist Assistant. In under two years, you could be trained and ready to apply for a state license and seek employment in a wide variety of health care organizations and facilities.

At Casa Loma, you’re part of a school focused on community and the individual needs of our students. In addition to our comprehensive curricula and experienced faculty, we support you with financial aid assistance, career placement, job search resources, and more. Get started on a path to a physical therapist assistant career by contacting us today to learn more.

CAPTE Standards Outcome Data

Definitions per the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE):¹Graduation Rate: The percentage of students who are matriculated in the first technical course in the program after the add/drop period and who complete the program.²Licensure Pass Rate: The percentage of students who take and successfully pass the National Physical Therapist Assistant Examination (NPTAE). Rates are considered to be stabilized one year after graduation.³Employment Rate: The percentage of graduates who sought employment that were employed (full-time or part time) as a physical therapist assistant within 1 year after graduation.

The Physical Therapist Assistant Program at Casa Loma College is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), 3030 Potomac Ave., Suite 100, Alexandria, Virginia 22305-3085; phone: 703-706-3245; email: accreditation@apta.org; website: http://www.capteonline.org.

If needing to contact the program/institution directly please call (818) 785-2726 x225 or email ptainfo@casalomacollege.edu

File a Complaint with CAPTE, CAPTE considers complaints about accredited programs and about CAPTE itself. Find out how to File a Complaint with CAPTE.

Public Comment Policy Casa Loma College is committed to responding to all complaints promptly and constructively to ensure high standards and the continuous improvement of College services. Every complaint will be taken seriously and viewed positively as an opportunity to receive constructive feedback so that improvements may be made. The College may receive complaints from members of the public, clinical affiliation sites, colleagues, off-campus locations, externship and internship sites .If the complaint involves a student or clinical site, the complaint will be directed to the specific Program Director. The Campus Director responds to complaints from other sources.