What is a Physical Therapist Assistant?
Physical Therapist Assistants (PTAs) provide physical therapy services under the direction and supervision of a licensed Physical Therapist. PTAs help people of all ages who have medical problems, or other health-related conditions that limit their ability to move and perform functional activities in their daily lives. PTAs may also measure changes in the patient's performance as a result of the physical therapy provided.
What is the difference between a Physical Therapist and a Physical Therapist Assistant?
The Physical Therapist (PT) is a graduate of a university program of study and is responsible for evaluation of and development of the patient's plan of care and treatment. A PTA works under the supervision of a PT.
What are my career choices?
A few examples of workplaces in your local area:
- Outpatient clinics
- Hospitals
- Rehabilitation centers
- Industry
- Nursing homes
- Home health agencies
- Schools
To learn more about these job areas, visit APTA.
What are my degree options?
Associate Degree in Applied Science
Associate Degree Physical Therapist Assistant | Download the academic plan
An associate degree is an undergraduate academic degree awarded upon completion of a course of study usually lasting two years.
How Long will this Program Take?
It will take a minimum of 5 semesters to get an associate degree in the Physical Therapist
Assistant program. Students must complete a minimum of one semester of classes prior
to admission to four semesters of PTA program courses.
This program is a selective admissions program and due to these requirements students
may find that it takes longer to earn enough points to be admitted into the 4 semesters
of PTA program classes.
How Do I Apply For This Program?
You must complete the steps below by October 1 to be considered by the Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) Selective Admissions Committee for entrance into the PTA program in January of the following year.
1. Attend a pre-admission conference
Pre-admission conference dates:
All held in the Allied Health Building, Room E105 at 4 p.m.
- Wednesday, March 18, 2020
- Tuesday, April 28, 2020
- Wednesday, August 19, 2020
- Thursday, September 10, 2020
- Thursday, September 17, 2020
2. Apply for admission to West Kentucky Community and Technical College unless you are already a student at one of the KCTCS colleges.
3. Submit official transcripts for all previous college work not completed at a KCTCS college.
4. Submit ACT score report.
5. Register for or have already completed BIO 137, Anatomy and Physiology I. This course must be completed with a C or higher prior to entering the first semester of PTA program courses.
Admission is based upon a point system. The admissions point scale is designed to objectively evaluate applicants. Applicants with the highest total points will be admitted to the program. Please see the point system at the link below.
PTA Selective Admission Points (download Admission Points document)
Points are given to applicants for their ACT score and GPA in the classes required for the program. To earn additional points toward program admission you can:
- Earn an A or B in Anatomy and Physiology I or II, and/or Math 150 (College Algebra) or higher, including STA 151
- Be an Kentucky resident
- Submit documentation: employment as a PT Aide or Technician, or in a related health care position with direct patient care; or completion of direct patient care education such as NAA 100 or comparable course.
In addition to required classes students are required to be certified in CPR at healthcare provider level, obtain the required immunizations, complete a background check, and complete the required drug screen.
Additional Resources / Training
Click on the following links to download information:
- PTA Selective Admission Points
- Download HIPAA Training Information
- Download Bloodborne Pathogens Training Information
- Visit CastleBranch
Field Licensure Requirements
In addition to completing the program, students must pass the national certification exam to become registered. State licensure is required in all states. CPR certification at healthcare provider level, proof of immunizations, background checks, and drug screens are required after a student is admitted and prior to starting the first semester of the program.
Accreditation / Program Success
Program completion and licensure pass rate
The Physical Therapist Assistant program at West Kentucky Community and Technical College is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), 1111 North Fairfax Street, Alexandria, VA 22314; Telephone: 703-706-3245; email: accreditation@apta.org; website: http://www.capteonline.org. If needing to contact the program/institution directly, please call Mary Jo Campbell at 270-534-3457 or email at maryjo.campbell@kctcs.edu. The Physical Therapist Assistant Program at West Kentucky Community and Technical College is currently accredited through 2024.
This information should not be considered a substitute for the KCTCS Catalog. You should always choose classes in cooperation with your faculty advisor to ensure that you meet all degree requirements.
