Physical Therapist Assistant
Physical therapist assistants team with physical therapists to help people live healthy and active lives.
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.
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.
Getting Started
What are my degree, diploma, and certificate options?
How Do I Pay For This?
Worry no more. With the lowest tuition in Kentucky, financial aid options, and a helping hand to guide you through the application process, WKCTC has you covered. WKCTC will help you reach your goals at a price that won't break the bank.
How Do I Apply?
Information Session Dates (Must attend one)
All meetings are held in the Barbara M. Veazey Health Sciences Building, Room E105 at 4:00 p.m.
- TBA
What Else Do I Need to Know?
Additional Information
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
The Physical Therapist Assistant program at West Kentucky Community and Technical College is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), 3030 Potomac Avenue, Suite 100, Alexandria, VA 22305-3085; 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 2025.
The program has determined that its curriculum meets the state educational requirements for licensure or certification in all states, the District of Colombia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands secondary to its accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education, based on the following:
CAPTE accreditation of a physical therapist or physical therapist assistant program satisfies state educational requirements in all states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Thus, students graduating from CAPTE-accredited physical therapist and physical therapist assistant education programs are eligible to take the National Physical Therapy Examination and apply for licensure in all states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. For more information regarding state qualifications and licensure requirements, refer to the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy website at www.fsbpt.org.
Length of Program
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.
This information should not be considered a substitute for the KCTCS Catalog. You should always choose classes in collaboration with your faculty advisor to ensure that you meet all degree requirements.
