Program Overview
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 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. 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 Information
Program Roadmap
Quick Facts
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Program Code:
222A -
Program Access:
Limited Access Program -
Degree:
Physical Therapist Assistant (A.S.) -
Total Credits:
74 Credits -
Online Program: No
-
Financial Aid Eligible: Yes
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Approximate Cost:
Approximately $7,761 - Program Contact Information:
- hcic@fscj.edu
- (904) 646-2300
- Catalog
- Return to Area of Study
Outcomes
Program Outcomes: 2-Year Average NPTE Pass and Graduation Rates
| Year | 2-Year Average NPTE Pass Rate | 2-Year Average Graduation Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2024-25 | 100% | 70% |
| 2023-24 | 100% | 71.42% |
Program Graduation Rates
Student Graduation and Program Success Rates (2022–2024)| Admission Year | Graduation Year | Graduation Rate | First Time Pass Rate | Ultimate Pass Rate | Employment Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2025 | 80% | 83.33% | 100% | TBD |
| 2023 | 2024 | *40% | 100% | 100% | 100% |
| 2022 | 2023 | 81.20% | 87.50% | 100% | 100% |
*Graduation rate impacted by a single, reduced-size cohort (n=5) admitted during a planned curriculum and admissions transition year.
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, VA 22305-3085; telephone: (703) 706-3245; email: accreditation@apta.org.
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.
Career Opportunities
Certifications and Licenses
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.
Career Options
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
Ready to Begin Your Journey?
Join Florida State College at Jacksonville Physical Therapist Assistant (A.S.) program today.
Questions? Contact admissions.