What is a Physical Therapist Assistant?
The Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) Program is designed to prepare the student to be a skilled health care provider working under the supervision of the physical therapist. PTAs assist people of all ages who have medical problems, or other health-related conditions that limit their ability to move and perform activities in their daily lives.
The PTA Program is offered at our Downtown Campus, located near the Louisville Medical Center Campus. The program consists of a combination of general education, program-specific coursework, and clinical learning experiences that are reflective of contemporary physical therapy practice.
More information can be found on the American Physical Therapy Association website.
What are my career choices?
A few examples of workplaces include:
- Outpatient clinics
- Hospitals
- Rehabilitation centers
- Industry
- Nursing homes
- Home health agencies
- Schools
PTAs may serve in leadership roles such as management of facilities or director of clinical education for facilities. Qualified PTA’s may also teach in accredited colleges and universities.
How long is the program?
PTA coursework spans over four semesters and allows for the integration of general education coursework during the first year of the program. The curriculum consists of approximately 26-29 credit hours of general education courses coupled with 40 credit hours of PTA core courses.
To see detailed information on courses check out our Course Description page.
All students, regardless of prior degree or career experience, will require 4 semesters to complete the degree, once admitted to the Program.
How can I get started?
Enrollment in this program is limited and includes a selective admissions process. The PTA Program admits students only one time each year, with a new class beginning each fall. The application deadline is April 1 of the year in which the student intends to apply.
- First, to get started in the program, download the curriculum guide.
- Second, attend a pre-admission conference on our Downtown Campus.
What are my degree options?
Associate Degree Physical Therapist Assistant
An associate degree is an undergraduate academic degree awarded upon completion of a course of study usually lasting two years.
Post-graduate requirements for licensure to work as a PTA can be found at http://www.fsbpt.org/ExamCandidates.aspx
Why Physical Therapy at Jefferson?
We love our students! And our students achieve great things!
The program has been graduating successful clinicians since its initial accreditation in 1977. Students have a long history of obtaining licensure and working as PTA’s throughout the region. Many graduates continue to serve as clinical instructors at their workplace in order to give back to the college.
PTA Program students have access to state-of-the-art physical therapy laboratory equipment, over 130 clinical affiliation sites throughout Kentucky and Southern Indiana, a location embedded in the heart of downtown Louisville s medical centers, low cost tuition and access to all student support services offered by the college.
Program Outcomes
| Student Outcomes | May 2014 graduates | May 2015 graduates | May 2016 graduates | May 2017 graduates |
| Completers/Graduation Rate based on 22 students admitted | 18/22 (85.7%) | 18/22 (82%) | 21/22 (95%) | 21/22 (95%) |
| Pass rate of graduates on the national licensing exam for Physical Therapist Assistants | 100% | 100% | 100% | 21/21 (100%) |
| Graduates who sought and obtained employment within six months of graduation. | 100% | 100% | 100% | 20/20 (100%) |
Accreditation
If needing to contact the program/institution directly, please call 502.213.2193 or email Jennifer Pitchford at jpitchford0004@kctcs.edu
The Physical Therapist Assistant Program at Jefferson Community and Technical 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: www.capteonline.org
Other Information
This information should not be considered a substitute for the KCTCS Catalog. You should always choose classes in cooperation with your faculty advisor to ensure that you meet all degree requirements.
