Program Overview

Since introducing our Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) program in 1994, Clarkson College has grown to be the largest and one of the most highly-esteemed programs of its kind across the state of Nebraska. Each year, the Associate's degree in PTA program option graduates two classes of students who are prepared to provide exceptional patient care in physical therapy. The Bachelor's degree in PTA program option graduates one class of students per year who are prepared to provide advanced practice in physical therapy interventions and take their career to a new level. 

The primary responsibilities of a PTA are to assist with patient assessment, implement treatment programs based on the plan of care, train patients in exercises and activities of daily living, conduct treatments using specialized equipment, administer modalities, and report the patients’ responses to treatment to the physical therapist.

The Clarkson College PTA program offers a well-structured academic curriculum. The Associate-level PTA option offers 15 weeks of hands-on clinical rotations and the Bachelor-level PTA option offers a mentorship program while working as a PTA. As a PTA student, you’ll learn to assist patients with various movement impairments to become independent in their day-to-day functions. Because every client has a unique set of circumstances, you’ll learn to create personalized rehabilitation plans that include a series of physical therapy interventions and activities that will support patients in reaching their recovery goals.