The PTA program offers students hands-on experiences in our on-campus skills lab and at more than 250 clinical site locations.
The Clarkson College PTA program prepares students to professionally provide high quality, ethical and compassionate rehabilitative services to patients of all ages and abilities. Upon successful completion of all PTA degree requirements, graduates will be eligible to sit for the National Physical Therapy Examination for Physical Therapist Assistants. As a licensed PTA, graduates have the skills to work as an integral part of a rehabilitation team under the supervision of a licensed physical therapist.
Incoming students may choose from two options:
Associate of Science in Physical Therapist Assistant – Traditional On-Campus Option: The traditional option is designed for first-time college students, those who have not previously earned an accredited associate’s or bachelor’s degree, or those with college credits that would like to take courses at a slower pace. Throughout the integrated two-year program (6 semesters), you will spend ample hands-on time in our on-campus labs and complete one five-week and one six-week clinical experience during your final semester.
Associate of Science in Physical Therapist Assistant - Transfer Hybrid Option: The transfer hybrid option is for individuals who have an associate degree or higher or have earned at least 35 credit hours from an accredited college or university. Throughout the 16 month-program (4 semesters), transfer students complete three semesters of asynchronous distance education courses with four to five on-campus skills weekends (Friday and Saturdays) per semester followed by one semester of final clinical experiences.
The following courses must be completed prior to entry into the PTA Transfer option:
Course | Semester Hours |
---|---|
Medical Terminology | 1 |
College Algebra | 3 |
English Composition I | 3 |
Introduction to Psychology | 3 |
Anatomy (plus lab) (must be current within last five years) | 4 |
Physiology (plus lab) (must be current within last five years) | 4 |
Electives (minimum) | 17 |
Total 35 |
Students who are interested in earning their advanced degree can choose our Dual Degree Associate and Bachelor of Science in PTA option and earn both their associate and bachelor’s degrees in just over three years.
Additional Resources
2022-23 Student Financial Fact Sheet - Traditional
2022-23 Student Financial Fact Sheet - Transfer
The following curriculum plan for an Associate of Science in Physical Therapist Assistant degree has been provided. Below is the lock-step outline of the program’s curriculum to guide students.
First Semester
Second Semester
Course Name | Semester Hours |
---|---|
BI 213 (BIO 213) - Human Physiology - Lecture and Lab | 4 |
IC HU EA (ICC HUM EEA) - Healthcare Core Courses | 3 |
PTA 107 - Documentation for the Physical Therapist Assistant | 2 |
PTA 110 - Basic Skills in Physical Therapy | 3 |
PTA 115 - Therapeutic Exercise I | 3 |
Total Semester Hours | 15 |
Third Semester
Course Name | Semester Hours |
---|---|
IC HU EA (ICC HUM EEA) - Healthcare Core Courses | 3 |
PTA 122 - Therapeutic Modalities | 3 |
Total Semester Hours | 6 |
First Semester
Course Name | Semester Hours |
---|---|
PTA 205 - Pathophysiology | 3 |
PTA 111 - Clinical Readiness | 2 |
PTA 215 - Therapeutic Exercise II | 3 |
PTA 222 - Therapeutic Interventions | 3 |
PY 101 (PSY 101) - Introduction to Psychology | 3 |
Total Semester Hours | 14 |
Second Semester
Course Name | Semester Hours |
---|---|
PTA 211 - Clinical Practicum I | 3 |
IC HU EA (ICC HUM EEA) - Healthcare Core Courses | 3 |
◊ PTA 213 - Professional Leadership Seminar | 1 |
PTA 230 - Advanced Procedures | 3 |
PTA 235 - Therapeutic Exercise III | 3 |
Total Semester Hours | 13 |
Third Semester
Course Name | Semester Hours |
---|---|
PTA 241 - Clinical Practicum II | 6 |
PTA 246 - Clinical Practicum III | 6 |
Total Semester Hours | 12 |
Total Semester Hours - 74
The following curriculum plan for an Associate of Science in PTA degree has been provided. Below is the lock-step outline of the program’s curriculum to guide students.
First Semester
Second Semester
Course Name | Semester Hours |
---|---|
PTA 122 - Therapeutic Modalities | 3 |
PTA 111 - Clinical Readiness | 2 |
PTA 205 - Pathophysiology | 3 |
PTA 222 - Therapeutic Interventions | 3 |
PTA 215 - Therapeutic Exercise II | 3 |
◊ IC Core (ICC Core) - Intercultural Communication | 3 |
Total Semester Hours | 17 |
Third Semester
Course Name | Semester Hours |
---|---|
◊ PTA 213 - Professional Leadership Seminar | 1 |
PTA 211 - Clinical Practicum I | 3 |
PTA 230 - Advanced Procedures | 3 |
PTA 235 - Therapeutic Exercise III | 3 |
HU Core (HUM Core) - Humanities | 3 |
Total Semester Hours | 13 |
First Semester
Course Name | Semester Hours |
---|---|
PTA 241 - Clinical Practicum II | 6 |
PTA 246 - Clinical Practicum III | 6 |
EA Core (EEA Core) - Ethics, Empathy, and Advocacy | 3 |
Total Semester Hours | 15 |
Estimated rates for the 2023-24 academic year. Rates are subject to change. Find out more information about costs, tuition, and fees.
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$59,770
(Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2020)
Employment for Physical Therapist Assistants is the 7th fastest growing occupation and is projected to grow 33% for 2019-2029
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2020
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