PTA Program: Physical Therapist Assistant School

PTA Program Overview

Our Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) program provides you with the hands-on training and industry support to pursue a career as a Physical Therapist Assistant.

In as little as 20 months, you can earn your associate degree and begin your journey as a Physical Therapist Assistant.

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Physical Therapist Assistant

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Physical Therapist Assistant?

Physical therapist assistants (PTAs) work under the supervision of physical therapists, assisting patients who are recovering from injury or illness to regain movement in their bodies and manage pain.

Where do Physical Therapist Assistants work?

Graduates of our Physical Therapist Assistant Program can work in several healthcare settings, such as:

Acute care hospitals, rehab, and subacute hospitals
Skilled nursing facilities
Wellness/prevention/sports fitness facilities
Hospice
Home health
Industrial or occupational employment facilities
Veteran’s Administration
School systems

How much money do Physical Therapist Assistants make?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the average salary for Physical Therapist Assistants is about $65,000.

Please note that wage data provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) or other third-party sources may not be an accurate reflection of all areas of the country, may not account for the employees’ years of experience, and may not reflect the wages or outlook of entry-level employees, such as graduates of our program. (accessed on 1/5/2023)

What is the job outlook for Physical Therapist Assistants?

Not only are Physical Therapist Assistants in high demand, but employment opportunities are expected to increase. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the overall employment of Physical Therapist Assistants is projected to grow 24 percent from 2021 to 2031. They largely attribute this growth to the aging baby-boomer population and their increasing need for medical services.

What is a Physical Therapist Assistant Program?

A Physical Therapist Assistant program seeks to prepare aspiring physical therapist assistants for the challenges they will undertake in the field.

How long is the Physical Therapist Assistant Program?

You can complete the Physical Therapist Assistant Program at Unitek College in as little as 20 months.

What is the cost of the Physical Therapist Assistant Program?

Tuition costs for the Physical Therapist Assistant program can vary depending on your individual situation. For the Physical Therapist Assistant degree at Unitek, we offer several financial aid options to qualifying students. Reach out to one of our school representatives for more information.

What are the student outcomes for the Physical Therapist Assistant program?

Student outcomes will not be available until 2024, as we will not have data until the first cohort completes our program.

Personally, I can say that Unitek college was a great experience. I was in great hands. My instructors were really sweet and were truly there to help you out. If you ever have questions or concerns about a topic, you can ask them without feeling scared. My teachers always made me feel welcome and answered any questions I had. They were attentive, and I learned so much from them.

– Kimberly G.

Physical Therapist Assistant Curriculum (69 Credits)

Our Physical Therapist Assistant program combines traditional classroom instruction and hands-on learning. You will complete 69 credit hours over the course of a five-semester program.

During the final two semesters, you will be scheduled for 680 hours of clinical practice. Our courses also include out-of-class work, such as reading and writing assignments, library research, projects, and practical application assignments.

At Unitek, we believe all successful PTAs must be considerate and compassionate individuals who respect the rights and dignity of their patients. Upon program completion, you too will be ready to contribute to the field as an effective, ethical, and productive member of any healthcare team. Graduates of our Physical Therapist Assistant Program are also prepared to complete their licensure exams.

Semester 1
16 Weeks
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May | August

Semester 2
16 Weeks
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Semester 3
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Semester 5
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Sept. | Dec.

Course Totals	Credit Hours
Course Totals	69

Course	Credit Hours
PHT 101 - Introduction to Physical Therapy	3
PHT 122 - Health, Disease & Disability	2
PHT 124 - Applied Kinesiology	4
PHT 130 - PTA Seminar I	1
PHT 131 - Pharmacology	1
PHT 132 - Therapeutic Procedures I	4
PHT 134 - Therapeutic Exercise	4
PHT 136 - Modalities	4
PHT 240 - PTA Seminar II	1
PHT 241 - Clinical Affiliation I	3
PHT 242 - Therapeutic Procedures II	4
PHT 244 - Applied Orthopedics	4
PHT 246 - Applied Neurology	4
PHT 250 - PTA Capstone	1
PHT 252 - Clinical Affiliation II	6
PHT 253 - Clinical Affiliation III	6

Course	Credit Hours
BIO200 - Anatomy and Physiology I	3
BIO200L - Anatomy and Physiology I Lab	1
BIO215 - Anatomy and Physiology II	3
BIO215L - Anatomy and Physiology II Lab	1
ENG100 - English Composition	3
ENG115 - Public Speaking	3
PSY115 - Lifespan Development	3

Get in Touch with Unitek College

OUR TEAM IS HERE TO HELP

It can be overwhelming to apply for college. There are questions that range from course schedules to financial aid, career services, employment, and more. Aspiring students have a lot to consider before choosing a school. At Unitek College, our staff and faculty are committed to helping answer all your questions.

PTA Tuition & Financial Aid

Tuition costs for the Physical Therapist Assistant program can vary depending on your situation. However, we offer several financial aid options to qualifying students. In fact, many Unitek students use some form of financial aid to help cover the cost of their education.

This is why we offer personalized counseling from a student finance advisor to help make your college experience more affordable. Please reach out to a financial aid representative for more information.

View the PTA Student Financial Fact Sheet

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The staff has been really friendly and helpful since day 1!

– Maura E.

A Career as a Physical Therapist Assistant

Physical Therapist Assistants (PTAs) work under the supervision of a physical therapist to help patients regain movement and manage pain after suffering from an injury or illness.

This is a healthcare career that’s in demand. Not only does the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predict a 24 percent growth in employment by 2031, but healthcare occupations, in general, are expected to create 2.4 million new jobs.

In addition, the BLS reports that the average annual salary for Physical Therapist Assistants is about $65,000.

PTA Admissions Requirements

Our Physical Therapist Assistant Program has a competitive admissions process. The top 34 students will advance based on their high school or college GPA and Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS). Applicants must earn a minimum score of at least 59%. Please visit the College Catalog for all of the admissions requirements.

The application deadline is March 31st.

1 Schedule a career-planning session and admissions interview

2 Submit proof of high school education or equivalent (minimum GPA of 2.5)

3 Complete the entrance assessment test

4 Submit an admissions application and enrollment agreement

5 Complete FAFSA & financial aid interview

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Complete this form and our Admissions department will contact you shortly with more information

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Accreditation

Effective October 25th, 2022, the Physical Therapist Assistant program at Unitek College has been granted Candidate for Accreditation status by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE).
3030 Potomac Ave., Suite 100
Alexandria, Virginia 22305-3085

Telephone: 703-706-3245

Email: accreditation@apta.org

Website: http://www.capteonline.org.

The Physical Therapist Assistant Program at Unitek College is committed to responding to all complaints to ensure high standards and continuous quality improvement. Every complaint will be taken seriously and viewed as an opportunity to receive constructive feedback. Please see the School Catalog for complete details on the college complaint process and assurance of nonretaliation.

To file a formal complaint, please click here.
All complainants may also file a complaint about the program with: The Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) 3030 Potomac Ave, Suite 100 Alexandria, VA 22305 800-999-2782 http://www.capteonline.org/Complaints/.

If needing to contact the program directly, please call 916-536-7030 or email bsapeta@unitekcollege.edu.

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20 Month Program

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Hands-On Learning

Latest News

Physical Therapist
Assistant Program

Earn your PTA degree in as
little as 20 months

PTA Program Overview

Get Started

What You’ll Need to Know

Frequently Asked Questions

Physical Therapist Assistant Curriculum (69 Credits)

Get in Touch with Unitek College

OUR TEAM IS HERE TO HELP

PTA Tuition & Financial Aid

A Career as a Physical Therapist Assistant

PTA Admissions Requirements

Get Started

Accreditation

The Unitek Advantage

Latest News

10 Advantages of Enrolling in a Dental Assisting Program

How to Become a Sports Physical Therapist Assistant

How to Become a Home Health Physical Therapist Assistant

Step-by-Step Guide to Blood Transfusions

Unitek College

Resources

Disclosures

Tools

Physical Therapist Assistant Program

Earn your PTA degree in as little as 20 months

PTA Program Overview

Get Started

What You’ll Need to Know

Frequently Asked Questions

Physical Therapist Assistant Curriculum (69 Credits)

Get in Touch with Unitek College

OUR TEAM IS HERE TO HELP

PTA Tuition & Financial Aid

A Career as a Physical Therapist Assistant

PTA Admissions Requirements

Get Started

Accreditation

The Unitek Advantage

Latest News

10 Advantages of Enrolling in a Dental Assisting Program

How to Become a Sports Physical Therapist Assistant

How to Become a Home Health Physical Therapist Assistant

Step-by-Step Guide to Blood Transfusions

Get Started

Unitek College

Resources

Disclosures

Tools

Physical Therapist
Assistant Program

Earn your PTA degree in as
little as 20 months