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Demand for physical therapy services is increasing. The rigorous physical therapist assistant (PTA) associate degree program from PennWest California trains you to assist physical therapists (PTs) in providing much-needed rehabilitation that improve the quality of life for patients both young and old.
Our competitive program ensures you’ll receive top training. Experienced professors and small class sizes enhance your learning experience and create many opportunities for one-on-one instruction.
You’ll learn how to work with PTs to implement and monitor comprehensive physical therapy treatment plans. Among other things, you’ll perform physical therapy data collection, implement patient interventions, make appropriate clinical judgements and participate in discharge planning and follow-up care.
In the cadaver lab, you’ll gain insight into human anatomy and physiology, and through the PTA Club , you’ll network with other students and industry professionals, have the opportunity to attend local and national physical therapy conferences, continuing education, lectures, study groups and more.
In just two years you’ll be prepared to sit for the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) and PTA licensure.
Credits: 70
Contact:
Justin Barroner
barroner@pennwest.edu
724-938-6032
Accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE).
Pennsylvania Workforce Development classifies PTA as a high-priority career, meaning it is an in-demand job that requires top skills and provides family-sustaining wages.
Employment rates for the classes of 2020 and 2021 were 100% for a two-year average of 100%.
Be part of a growing, dynamic field.
The job outlook for PTAs is great! According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment opportunities for PTAs will grow 24% between now and 2031—much faster than other occupations.
PennWest California alumni have gone on to physical therapist assistant careers at:
· Pennsylvania hospitals
· Area Agency on Aging
· Keystone Rehabilitation
· Bradley Physical Therapy
· MediCorp Health Systems
· Greene County Memorial Hospital
The Physical Therapist Assistant Program at PennWest California 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 724-938-4562 or email dusi@pennwest.edu.
For the classes of 2022-2023, 70% of students admitted to the Technical Phase of the PTA program at PennWest California graduated from the program. Graduation rates for the class of 2023 was 65% and 76% for the class of 2022. Graduates are required to pass a licensing examination in order to practice as a Physical Therapist Assistant. The licensing examination (National Physical Therapy Examination or NPTE for PTAs) ultimate passing rates for the classes of 2021 and 2022 were 81.8% and 93.75% respectively for an average two-year passing rate of 88.89%. First time passing rates for the class of 2021 was 54% and class of 2022 was 62% for a two-year first passing rate of 65%. Employment rates for the classes of 2021 and 2022 were 100% for a two-year average of 100%.
PennWest’s three campuses, California, Clarion and Edinboro universities, have been delivering award-winning online programs for more than 20 years. You’ll graduate with a degree from Pennsylvania Western University, completely supported by the expertise and community of learners on our brick-and-mortar campuses.
