Physical Therapist Assistant
***Fall deadline extended to September 1, 2020.***
Physical Therapist Assistants work with physical therapists to provide patients with compassionate care that is backed with knowledge of kinesiology, rehabilitation, and more.
Physical therapist assistants (PTAs) provide physical therapy services under the direction
and supervision of a 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 work in a variety of settings including
hospitals, private practices, outpatient clinics, home health, nursing homes, schools,
and sports facilities. PTAs must complete a 2-year associate's degree and are licensed,
certified, or registered in most states.
Care provided by a PTA may include teaching patients/clients exercise for mobility, strength and coordination, training for activities such as walking with crutches, canes, or walkers, massage, and the use of physical agents and electrotherapy such as ultrasound and electrical stimulation.
The program is four semesters in length with 14 weeks of full-time clinical experience in the final semesters.
Admission criteria for the PTA program are as follows:
- Admission to Clovis Community College
- Applicants must complete an application packet for Admission to the Physical Therapist Assistant Program. Application packets are
available online and in the Office of Admissions and Records. Applications must be
complete with transcripts from all previously attended colleges received by the Office
of Admissions to be considered for admission to the PTA Program. The applicant’s file
must contain the following information:
- All transcripts received by Admissions office.
- Minimum GPA of 3.0. (Admission to the PTA program will occur on a competition basis. Meeting minimum GPA requirements does not guarantee program acceptance.)
- Completed observation hours log sheet demonstrating 25 hours of observation with a Physical Therapist or Physical Therapist Assistant.
- All General Education and Related Requirement courses must be completed before admission to the PTA Program.
- The application deadline is JULY 1st.
Students will recieve an email to their CCC email account regarding the Kaplan Admissions Exam after the application deadline has passed.
KAPLAN ADMISSIONS EXAM OVERVIEW
The PTA program utilizes a criteria point system to determine admission into the program.
The employment outlook for graduates of the Physical Therapist Assistant program is excellent. From 2008-2018 there is a projected 33% increase in employment for PTA's nationwide. The median income for PTA's was $46,140 in 2008.
Read Physical Therapist Assistants on O*Net Online for more information.
State Disclosure - Allied Health - Physical Therapy Assistant
The United States Department of Education requires that every institution of higher education obtain authorization from each state in which it offers distance education opportunities for programs requiring licensure.
Clovis Community College’s professional licensure programs are designed to prepare students for a license in the state of New Mexico. Students who wish to practice in a state other than New Mexico may or may not have additional requirements to complete prior to applying for a license.
Graduation from a physical therapist assistant education program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) is necessary for eligibility to sit for the licensure examination, which is required in all states.
The Physical Therapist Assistant program at Clovis Community College is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), 1111 North Fairfax Street, Alexandria, Virginia 22314; telephone: 703-706-3245; email: accreditation@apta.org; website: http://www.capteonline.org. The program’s current status is probationary accreditation.
Students who wish to practice in a state other than New Mexico may or may not have additional requirements to complete prior to applying for the PTA license.
- Physical Therapist Assistant Program Homepage
- PTA Program Student Requirements
- PTA Program Costs
- Student Outcomes
- Degrees and Certificates Offered:
For more information about CCC's Physical Therapist Assistant program, please contact:
Brandi Varnado
PTA Program Director
575.769.4098
brandi.varnado@clovis.edu
Bri Bowley
Academic Advisor
575.769.4121
briana.bowley@clovis.edu