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PHYSICAL THERAPIST ASSISTANT

ANNOUNCEMENTS

SPRING 2024
Submit your intent form now for the spring 2024 cohort. Priority deadline for fall is November 3, 2023. Email LDaigle1@lakelandcc.edu for details. Download the admissions information sheet here> MORE INFO
CHOOSE OHIO FIRST SCHOLARSHIP
Students who are starting the next cohort of the PTA program spring 2024, have a 3.0 GPA or higher, and have been formally accepted into the program, are eligible to apply for the Choose Ohio First Scholarship. Click here to access the form to submit an online application>> MORE INFO

Physical therapist assistants, also known as PTAs, provide physical therapy services under the direction and supervision of a physical therapist.

They work directly with patients of all ages to help them regain movement and manage pain after injuries and illnesses. Many patients have injuries, disabilities or other health conditions that need treatment.

Physical therapist assistants:

  • Work with patients through exercises or activities to help them with mobility/movement.
  • Adhere to proper standards of documentation about a client's health and progress. They collect data about the patient's condition through tests and movement analysis. They also account for any diseases or conditions that may impact treatment.
  • Use their knowledge of body systems to provide help and effective management of a client's condition to support rehabilitation and promote health.
  • Are encouraging and understanding with patients while providing professional, compassionate and safe, effective care.

To get started, prospective students must complete 20 hours of observation, 10 hours in each of two different physical therapy settings (such as outpatient, skilled nursing facilities, inpatient rehabilitation departments, or schools). Contact us to see if this career path is right for you.

How long does it take to become a physical therapist assistant?

You can become a physical therapist assistant in five semesters with Lakeland's physical therapist assistant program.

Once you graduate with the Associate of Applied Science degree in Physical Therapist Assisting, you are eligible to take the National Physical Therapy Licensure Examination (NPTE) for PTAs, which is required for state licensure. 

Students learn using the latest equipment in Lakeland's state-of-the-art health technologies building which opened recently in 2018.
 

How much do PTAs make?

For 2020, the physical therapist assistant salary had a median pay of $49,970 per year. Employment of physical therapist assistants is projected to grow 29% through 2029*.

Salaries vary based on position, years of experience, degree of education, geographic location and practice setting.

(Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Physical Therapist Assistants and Aides,
at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/physical-therapist-assistants-and-aides.htm (visited June 1, 2021).
 

Program Fees and Expenses

Tuition cost can be found here.

Fee Type (63 credits) Amount
Lab Fees$401
Program-specific Books$879.81
Background Check$66
Drug Test$45
Application/Registration Fees$75
Supplies/Materials/Uniforms$102
Entrance Exam TEAS$65
Licensure Exam$727
Graduation Fee$40
 

The Student Financial Fact Sheet provides students with current information about the cost of attendance. This document is provided in accordance with Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) policy.

Accreditation Information

The Physical Therapist Assistant program at Lakeland Community College is accredited 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. If needing to contact the program/institution directly, please call 440-525-7470 or email the program director.

Complaint Process

Members of the general public may express a concern or register a complaint regarding the PTA program or its graduates through the physical therapist assistant program director. Unresolved complaints may be directed to the dean for health technologies. Accreditation concerns should be directed to the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) at accreditation@apta.org.


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