Physical therapy is a challenging, rewarding, and exciting field. Physical Therapist Assistants (PTAs) work in a variety of settings including outpatient orthopedic clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, pediatric clinics, and specialty clinics, such as wound care. These are just a few examples of job opportunities for a PTA graduate. 

Clarkson PTA graduates report a starting salary of $35,000-40,000/year.           

Clarkson College has nationally recognized students by the American Physical Therapy Association. Winners of the Mary McMillan Scholarship for Academic Excellence include: Kristal Kesler (2004), Stephanie Harris (2005), Debra Johansen (2006) and Daniela Villegas (2007). Winners for the Minority Scholarship for Academic Excellence include: Debra Richards (2006), Daniela Villegas (2007) and Kim Lemmons (2008).    

PTAs are also recognized in specialty areas after graduation including the ability to complete an Advanced Proficiency in:  Musculoskeletal, Neuromuscular, Cardiovascular/Pulmonary and Integumentary care. Please visit the American Physical Therapy Association for more information about physical therapy, physical therapist assistants and Clarkson College.  

Our students have a 94% pass rate on the National Board Examination. 

We are committed to the service of children and adults in need in the community with programs such as Healthy Families to help fight childhood obesity, Special Olympics, the Open Door Mission, local elementary and high schools health education, and the National Safety Council. (see photos) 

Clarkson PTA students have 135 clinical sites nationwide to choose from, in which to complete their clinical rotations. You can choose from outpatient orthopedic clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, wound care clinics, pediatrics and prosthetics, to name a few. 

While working toward your PTA degree you can also work towards a bachelor's degree in Health Care Business. 

USA Today Cites Growing Demand for Physical Therapist Assistants: "Physical Therapist Assistant" is listed among jobs with the highest projected growth, according to a report published in USA Today. Seven other of the 20 fastest-growing occupations are in health care: home health aides, medical assistants, physician assistants, dental hygienists, and personal and home care aides. The US Department of Labor projects that new hourly and salaried jobs—about 19%, or 3.6 million—created between 2004 and 2014 will be in health care professions."  Published March 2006