Physical Therapist Assistant

Associate in Science

PT

Kinesiology, patient care, therapeutic exercise and trends in physical therapy


About Physical Therapist Assistant (A.S.)

This is a Limited Access program with the HESI-A2 required as part of the Application Process.

The Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) Associate in Science (A.S.) degree prepares students for rewarding careers helping patients return to optimal health under the direction of a physical therapist. The curriculum combines coursework and hands-on learning, focusing on kinesiology, patient care, therapeutic exercise, and the leading trends in physical therapy.

The Physical Therapist Assistant Associate in Science (A.S) degree is a limited access program which includes a combination of general education and professional courses with embedded lecture, laboratory, and clinical education components. 

The PTA associate degree prepares students to become skilled in compassionate and ethical patient care, supporting their journey managing pain and gaining back mobility. With this, graduates from the PTA program are eligible to apply to sit for a state-administered national examination in order to become a licensed physical therapy assistant.

Click here for additional admissions information.

Transcripts

Transcripts must be received from both high school/GED and any postsecondary education. They must be official and sealed directly from the awarding institution. 

Transcripts may be delivered electronically by email or by mail to:
FSCJ Admissions Office
P.O. Box 40515
Jacksonville, FL 32203-0515

Industry Associations

Accreditation

The Physical Therapist Assistant Program at Florida State College at Jacksonville 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. The program's current status is probationary accreditation; More information. If needing to contact the program/institution directly, please call: 904.766.6599 or email:  smcclaff@fscj.edu

 

If you are considering employment in a state other than Florida, click here to ensure the program curriculum meets the requirements to sit for licensure or certification testing in that state.


Program Requirements

Outcomes and Career Outlook

A.S. degree graduates are eligible to apply to sit for the National Physical Therapy Exam (NPTE) and Florida PT/PTA Laws and Rules Exam in order to become a licensed physical therapist assistant.

Physical therapist assistants work under the supervision of licensed physical therapists, providing direct care to patients in recovery from injury, illness, or surgery that need to regain movement abilities. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the physical therapist assistant and aide profession is expected to grow 29% from 2019-2029, much faster than the average for all occupations.

PTAs are employed in a wide range of settings, including:

  • Outpatient rehabilitation centers for sports injuries

  • Assisted living centers, schools, and home health agencies

  • Hospitals (acute, neuro rehab, etc.)

  • Orthopedics

  • Skilled nursing facilities

  • Home health care

 

 

Graduation Year(s)

 

Employment Rates

Licensure Pass Rates

Ultimate/ 1st Time

 

Graduation Rates

2020

100%

94%/ 81%

91%

2019

100%

72%/ 56%

90%

2019-20

100%

84%/ 70%

90%

The years represented reflect the years that these cohorts of students were formally admitted into the Technical Phase of the PTA program.

Sean C. McClafferty, DPT, MAR
Instructional Program Manager
Physical Therapist Assistant Program

The PTA program at FSCJ meets all requirements for students to sit for the National Licensure Exam, accepted in all 50 states.



This academic program prepares you for the following careers.

Resources and Documents

If the program has documents they will appear here.

Academic Degree Plan


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QLess Connect

Program Information

Limited access 

Program Code:  222A

Next Start Term

Spring and Summer

Deadlines

Sept. 15 deadline for Spring
Feb. 15 deadline for Summer

Financial Information

Tuition and Fees: Approximately $7,761*
 Financial aid is available, if qualified.
Tuition and Fees
Tuition Payment Plans
Scholarships

Additional Costs

Drug screen, background checks, uniforms, physical and textbooks

Contact Information

Phone: (904) 713-4545

*Tuition reflects Florida resident rates and are subject to change. Certain classes that require labs may have additional fees for lab supplies. Additional fees are published in the class schedule