Physical Therapy Assistant Degrees

California University of Pennsylvania

• A public institution, California University of Pennsylvania features a small-town campus 35 miles south of Pittsburgh with more than 8,500 students. Admissions requirements for the school's physical therapy assisting program pre-technical phase include a physical examination, valid CPR certification, passage of a criminal background check and drug screening. Students spend one semester completing prerequisite classes in basic PT assisting and anatomy before applying to the competitive technical phase of the program. Only 20 students receive admission to the technical phase each year with remaining students placed on a waiting list. Among the courses required for the major are psychology, sociology, pathology, kinesiology, physical therapy across the life span, and cardiopulmonary, neurological and orthopedic impairments. Two clinical rotations are mandatory for graduation. The program culminates in an Associate of Applied Science degree. Federal and state financial aid is available for eligible students.

  California University of Pennsylvania
  250 University Ave.
  California, PA 15419
  724-938-4400
  cup.edu

South University

• Established in 1899, South University is a private, nonsectarian school with locations throughout the southern United States. The college offers its physical therapy assistant Associate of Science degree program at its campuses in Savannah, Georgia; Montgomery, Alabama; Tampa, Florida; and West Palm Beach, Florida. Only a high school diploma or GED and satisfactory SAT college admission testing scores are required for admission. Classes required by the curriculum include anatomy, composition, public speaking, medical terminology, kinesiology, testing and measuring, rehabilitation and therapeutic exercise. Students complete a brief, six-week externship during the first year of the program followed by two, semester-long internship placements during the program's second and final year. Eligible students can receive federal and state financial aid while attending South University.

  South University
  709 Mall Blvd.
  Savannah, GA 31406
  912-201-8000
  southuniversity.edu

Pima Medical Institute

• A private career-training institution with branches in the western United States, Pima Medical Institute opened in 1972. The school offers an associate degree in its physical therapist assistant program at its campuses in Albuquerque, New Mexico; Denver, Colorado; Mesa, Arizona; Seattle, Washington; and Tucson, Arizona. Only a high school diploma and GED are necessary for admission. The program lasts for 18 months with students completing courses in medical terminology, law and ethics, math and physics, communications, health and disease, growth and development, kinesiology, therapeutic exercise and administrative assisting. Three clinical rotations are required for graduation. Federal grants and loans, private lending and institutional payment plans are available for qualified students. The school offers job placement assistance.
  
  Pima Medical Institute
  9709 Third Avenue NE
  Seattle, WA 98115
  800-477-7462
  pmi.edu