physical therapist assistant

Physical Therapist Assistant

Associate's Degree

Unlike other Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) programs, our CAPTE®-accredited1 curriculum is designed with a unique blend of online courses and immersive on-campus labs, giving you the flexibility and firsthand experience you need. Students are not required to be on campus every day or every week but have concentrated, uninterrupted lab time several days in a row when they are on campus.

You'll also get clinical practice at a healthcare facility to ensure hands-on, real-world training. Eager to play a hands-on role in helping people of all ages regain their strength and mobility? Our PTA program can help get you there faster—in as few as 18 months.2 Physical therapists will depend on you as a PTA to help improve the lives of your patients and will rely on you to function as part of a cohesive healthcare team.

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  • Institutional and Programmatic Accreditation

    Rasmussen University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org), an institutional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. The PTA program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE).1 Learn more about programmatic accreditation and CAPTE in the below Accreditation Information.

  • With You Locally in Florida and Minnesota

    Enroll in our PTA program at our Ocala, FL or Hennepin/Anoka, MN campus and reap the benefits of blended on-campus and online instruction. Instructional online courses give you the flexibility to work toward your degree without disrupting your busy schedule. The innovative on-campus lab format features concentrated full-day labs several days in a row, meaning less time commuting and more time practicing in-demand PTA skills. Our immersive labs include focused, uninterrupted skill development and supervised practice with our highly skilled faculty. The PTA program also incorporates clinical site training to give you firsthand experience of the physical therapy industry at a healthcare facility. For full details about our leading-edge PTA program structure, take a look at our Physical Therapist Assistant Lab Schedule.

  • Education That Opens Doors

    As a PTA, you will be qualified to work with a variety of people throughout their lifespan in a wide range of settings, from clinics and hospitals to skilled nursing facilities and sports rehab centers. Graduating from a Physical Therapist Assistant program can help you along the path to this compassionate career. See the Physical Therapist Assistant Program Guide for additional important programmatic information.

  • Self-Directed Assessments

    Save time and money on your Associate's degree with self-directed assessments. These $149 online, interactive assessments allow you to show that you already achieved the skills and knowledge for a particular course and don't need to take it. We'll provide prep materials and you can work with a peer tutor to prepare at no additional cost. Learn more about self-directed assessments and other Knowledge Credit® options.

Physical Therapist Assistant Credentials Offered

Physical Therapist Assistant

Associate's Degree

Finish in as few as

18 months2

Learning includes

  • On-Campus and Online Classes
  • Field Experience

Intended for

Students looking to work directly with a diverse range of people and pursue a successful, fulfilling career helping others as a physical therapist assistant with well-rounded knowledge about the field.

Prepares you for

Physical therapist assistant

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Request More Information About Our Physical Therapist Assistant Program

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School of Health Sciences Blog

How to Become a Physical Therapist Assistant (and Why You Should)

There’s a lot to like about the role of a physical therapist assistant. Learn more about what makes this such an appealing career and how a PTA program can help you get there.

Read more
photo of a pta lifting a patient's leg representing how to become a physical therapist assistant (and why you should)

Turn Your Physical Therapist Assistant Education into a Career

We’ve made starting your physical therapist assistant education even easier by offering a blend of online courses and on-campus labs to help you gain in-demand skills that employers seek. Online courses allow flexibility in when and where you study. On-campus labs are held for full days, several days in a row, providing more uninterrupted time for supervised skill acquisition and less frequent trips to campus. The PTA program also incorporates clinical site training to give you firsthand experience of the physical therapy industry at a healthcare facility.

Here is an overview of your potential career field with a PTA degree.

Physical Therapist Assistants

  • BLS Projected Growth 2020–2030: 3

    35%

  • BLS Typical Entry-Level Education:

    • Associate's Degree

"The immersive lab allowed me to be 100% focused. You have plenty of opportunities to practice and ask your instructor questions. The immersive lab is definitely one of the best parts of the program."

Leo
Physical Therapist Assistant Graduate

Accreditation

Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE)

Graduation from a physical therapist assistant education program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), 3030 Potomac Ave., Suite 100, Alexandria, VA 22305-3085; phone; 703-706-3245; [email protected] is necessary for eligibility to sit for the licensure examination, which is required in all states.


Student Learning Outcomes

View Physical Therapist Assistant Program Outcomes >

Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE)
3030 Potomac Ave., Suite 100
Alexandria, VA 22305-3085
[email protected]
703-706-3245

Accredited Programs:

The Physical Therapist Assistant Program at Rasmussen University – Hennepin/Anoka is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), 3030 Potomac Ave., Suite 100, Alexandria, Virginia 22305-3085; phone: 703-706-3245; email: [email protected]; website: http://www.capteonline.org. If needing to contact the program/institution directly, please call 763-496-6022 or email [email protected].

The Physical Therapist Assistant Program at Rasmussen University – Ocala is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), 3030 Potomac Ave., Suite 100, Alexandria, Virginia 22305-3085; phone: 703-706-3245; email: [email protected]; website: http://www.capteonline.org. If needing to contact the program/institution directly, please call 352-291-8552 or email [email protected].

Additional accreditation details