Physical Therapist Assistant

The Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) is a health-care professional who works under the supervision of a physical therapist. The PTA works with a variety of patients who have been disabled by illness, accident, or congenital handicap. The duties of a PTA include assisting the physical therapist in implementing treatment programs that may involve exercise, manual therapy and hydrotherapy; the use of heat, cold, electricity, or sound; and reporting to the physical therapist on the patient's responses. As clinicians, PTAs work in hospitals, nursing homes, schools, rehabilitation centers, and for physical therapists in outpatient independent practice settings.

Following graduation, graduates are eligible to sit for the state licensing examination. A criminal background check is required. The program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE).

Degree Information

Physical Therapist Assistant A.A.S. Academic Map

Physial Therapy Assistant Program Video Playlist

View our video playlist and learn more about our program by clicking the thumbnail below:

Accreditation

The Physical Therapist Assistant Program at Southwest Tennessee Community College is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), 1111 North Fairfax Street, Alexandria, Virginia 22314; telephone: 703-706-3245; email: accreditation@apta.org; website: http://www.capteonline.org.

If needing to contact the program/institution directly, please call 901-333-5395 or email jstevens@southwest.tn.edu.

Program Outcomes

Graduation Rate

2017 and 2018 graduation rates were 93.8 percent and 100 percent respectively. The 2-year average graduation rate is 96.9%.

Some students did not complete the program due to academic, financial, medical, or personal reasons.

2018 and 2019 graduation rates were 100 percent and 100 percent respectively.  The 2-year average graduation rate is 100%.

Licensure Examination Pass Rate

• Class of 2018 = 94.7 percent
• Class of 2019 = 73.7 percent

Employment Rate of Graduates

100 percent of graduates from the classes of 2018 and 2019 have been offered employment within twelve (12) months of becoming licensed Physical Therapist Assistants.