Physical Therapist Assistant (A.S.)
Associate in Science (A.S.)
Program Code: 222A
This is a Limited Access program.
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.
Additional Costs/Fees
Program Learning Outcomes
| Graduation Year | Graduation Rate | First time/ Ultimate Pass Rate | Employment Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 75% | 76.5% / 88.2% | 100% |
| 2021 | 73% | 63.6% / 81% | 100% |
| 2022 | 74% | 75% / 85% | TBD |
| Two Year Average Pass Rates | |
| 2020/2021 | 85.07% |
| 2021/2022 | 83.01% |
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. If needing to contact the program/institution directly, please call 904-766-5574 or email Dianne.McAuliffe@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.
Student Success Rates
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 projected to grow 24 percent from 2021 to 2031, 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
Physical Therapist Assistant Program Licensure Pass Rates
| Graduation Year | Graduation Rate | First time/ Ultimate Pass Rate | Employment Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 75% | 76% / 88% | 100% |
| 2021 | 73% | 63% / 78% | 100% |
| 2022 | 74% | 75% / 85% | TBD |
The PTA program at FSCJ meets all requirements for students to sit for the National Licensure Exam, accepted in all 50 states.
Program Notice
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