Physical Therapist Assistant, AAS
CIP 510806 (PTA)
A Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) is a health care provider working under the direction and supervision of a Physical Therapist. The PTA is involved in the treatment of individuals with muscular, skeletal, cardiopulmonary and nervous system disorders. The PTA may also be involved in injury prevention or programs specifically targeted toward individual or group wellness. The PTA is able to provide physical therapy services as specified in a care plan developed by a Physical Therapist. Treatment program implementation may include: therapeutic exercise, ambulation training, activities of daily living and administration of physical agents such as heat and cold.
The PTA program at Arapahoe Community College is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), 1111 North Fairfax St., Alexandria, VA 22314; 703-706-3245; email: accreditation [at] apta [dot] org (accreditation[at]apta[dot]org); website: www.capteonline.org. If needing to contact the program/institution directly, please call 303 797-5897 or email pta [at] arapahoe [dot] edu (pta[at]arapahoe[dot]edu).
The program is five semesters in length with a summer term following the first year. Upon successful completion, the graduate is awarded an Associate of Applied Science degree.
To be eligible for PTA licensure/certification, in addition to being a graduate of an accredited program, individuals must successfully complete the National Physical Therapist Assistant Exam administered by the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (https://www.fsbpt.org/). For employment an employer may also require successful completion of a background check, drug screen, CPR certification and/or various vaccinations and immunizations.
Contact the School of Health and Public Services Office, Room A2000, 303.797.5855. Please refer to the PTA Program Information for application and placement test scores. You can contact the School Office by phone 303.797.5855 for a copy of the PTA Program Information. See further information online at https://www.arapahoe.edu/academics-programs/programs/physical-therapist-assistant
Admission Requirements
- Admission to Arapahoe Community College
- A minimum overall GPA of 2.5 to be considered in the selective admission
- The PTA program is selective admission that accepts a limited number of applicants each year. In order to qualify for consideration for admission into the PTA program, each applicant must submit the following:
- Completed supplemental PTA program application. Applications are accepted between February 1 and May 15 each year.
- Official transcripts of general education courses completed sent directly from the issuing institution to Arapahoe Community College - Admissions and Records.
- Unofficial transcripts of general education courses completed attached to the PTA program application.
- ENG 1021 and BIO 2101 (or BIO 1004 ) with a "C" or better are pre-requisites for PTA courses
- Students should have been assessed to be at college-level in English and Mathematics (see Student Resources and Services - Assessment in this Catalog)
- Minimum scores to be considered are:
- ACCUPLACER test:
- at least 246 or higher in Next Generation Writing
- at least 230 or higher in Next Generation QAS
- Three letters of recommendation on the required form.
- Documentation of work related or volunteer hours in Physical Therapy on the required form.
- Handwritten answers to the questions regarding the program, found in the application packet.
- BIO 1004 or BIO 2101 must have been completed in the last five years.
Program Requirements
*Students planning to transfer their speech credit to another institution should complete COM 1150.
Graduation Requirements
- All major, general education and other courses required for this degree must be completed with a "C" or better to meet graduation requirements.
- Apply for graduation online at www.arapahoe.edu/graduation.
- As a graduate of a Career and Technical Education program you will be contacted by an ACC employee in approximately six months to verify your employment information. This information gathering is a federal requirement to ensure that ACC receives certain federal funding.
Professional Licensing Disclosure
Students enrolling or continuing at Arapahoe Community College (ACC) have a right to certain information that the college is required by law to provide. As a student applying for or attending the Physical Therapist Assistant Program you have the right to know it meets the certification requirements for Colorado. It is possible that the degree may count toward licensing in states other than Colorado. If you are planning to seek professional licensure, it is strongly recommended that you contact the appropriate licensing entity in the state in which you are located or plan to locate in order to seek information and guidance regarding licensure or certification requirements before you begin this program. This program meets the applicable state prerequisites for certification in Colorado as listed below:
Colorado State Physical Therapy Board PTA Certification
National Physical Therapist Assistant Examination (NPTAE)
ACC has determined as a CAPTE accredited program, the Physical Therapist Assistant Program meets applicable state prerequisites for licensure or certification in states other than Colorado. Other states include: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming.
ACC has not determined if the Physical Therapist Assistant Program meets applicable state prerequisites for licensure or certification in U.S. Territories: American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Licensing information for other states can be found at https://www.fsbpt.org/Free-Resources/Licensing-Authorities-Contact-Information