What is a Physical Therapist Assistant?
The American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) describes the role of a PTA as "provide physical therapy services under the direction and supervision of a licensed physical therapist. PTAs help people of all ages who have medical problems, or other health-related conditions that limit their ability to move and perform functional activities in their daily lives.” Additionally, the APTA states the PTA will “implement selected components of patient/client interventions (treatment), obtain data related to the interventions provided, and make modifications in selected interventions either to progress the patient/client as directed by the physical therapist or to ensure patient/client safety and comfort.”
More information can be found at the American Physical Therapy Association website.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Please click here to see a list of answers to commonly asked questions related to the Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) Program.
What are my career choices?
PTAs work in hospitals, nursing homes, outpatient clinics, home health agencies, rehabilitation hospitals, schools, pediatric facilities, and specialized clinics. 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 CAPTE accredited colleges and universities.
How long is the program?
All students, regardless of prior degree or career experience, will require 2 years to complete the degree after admission to 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.
Why apply 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 medical centers, low cost tuition and access to all student support services offered by the college.
Additional Information
- Selective Admission Information
- Pre-Admission Conference Dates
- Curriculum Guide
- General Education Course Requirements
- Course Descriptions
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
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.
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
