Physical Therapist Assistant
Quick Facts
- Pathway: Health Science
- Campus: Trinity River Campus East
Physical therapist assistants (PTAs) work under the direction and supervision of physical therapists to help patients who are recovering from injuries or illnesses regain movement and strength.
Explore on This Page
COVID-19 Statement
Health Sciences & Nursing Programs
The health and safety of our Tarrant County College District (TCCD) community are responsibilities that we all share.
TCCD does not require the COVID-19 vaccine to access TCCD properties or to participate in campus activities.
Our Clinical Partners
However, TCCD’s partners may require vaccination for students enrolled in technical programs that require the fulfillment of onsite practicum/clinical coursework at one of our partnering facilities.
Students in technical programs with a practicum/clinical component may be required by the partnering facility to have the vaccine to complete the practicum/clinical requirement at the partnering facility. Several hospitals require technical program students to be fully immunized against COVID-19 before arrival at the facilities.
As a result, practicum/clinical sites for unvaccinated students may be limited; therefore, graduation may be delayed if students decline clinical/practicum assignments at sites requiring vaccination.
Job Titles & Career Info
Our Program
Why Choose PTA?
- Prepare to be successful on the national physical therapist assistant exam & to work as a licensed physical therapist assistant
- Enter a field where you are involved with the direct care of patients
- Be able to help & support patients while working in a collaborative team environment
- Work in a growing health care field with a bright job outlook
Prepare for What You Will Do at Work
- Help patients learn specific exercises that are part of their plans of care
- Monitor patients’ progress & responses to treatment
- Use appropriate devices & equipment to help patients
- Record patients’ progress & report the results of each treatment to the physical therapist
Explore Professional Organizations
National
State
- Texas Physical Therapy Association
- Executive Council of Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy Examiners
Marketable Skills You Will Learn
- Critical thinking
- Reasoning
- Communication
- Personal & social responsibility
- Teamwork
- Computer literacy
Before You Enroll, Think About:
Texas Veterans Commission (TVC)-approved
You can use your Veterans Administration (VA) educational benefits to pay for this program.
Questions? See VetSuccess on Campus
Selective Admission
PTA is a selective admission program.
After being accepted to TCC, you must meet the selective admission requirements to be eligible to submit a separate application to our PTA program.
Get the Details on These Pages:
Licensing Notice: Texas House Bill 1508
This program prepares you for an occupational license. However, you may not be eligible for licensing if you have a prior criminal history.
For more details, see Texas House Bill 1508 Licensing Requirements
Need a boost to get ready for college?
Talk to your advisor about Developmental Studies if your TSI scores say you need some help in math or reading and writing.
Degrees & Certificates
Degree
Attend an Information Session
About the Session
In our Fall Virtual Information Session, you will find out everything you need to know about our program: requirements, courses, costs, and more.
Attending an information session is an application requirement. You will submit your Certificate of Attendance with your application.
When & Where
- Date: Tuesday, December 3, 2024
- Time: noon–1:30 p.m.
- Place: Microsoft Teams
- Join online: Select this link to join the information session
- Meeting ID: 298 736 297 110
- Passcode: fM3N8T7n
- Join by phone (audio only): Call +1 682-800-5482,,146520161# United States, Arlington
- Phone Conference ID: 146 520 161#
- Join online: Select this link to join the information session
Want to see what we'll discuss?
Review our TCC Physical Therapist Assistant Information Session Presentation Slides (PDF)Listen.
Questions?
Health Care Professions Advising Resource Hub
Janette Keen, Career Advisor
Call 817-515-1484
Email TR.HealthCareAdvising@tccd.edu
Accreditation
The Physical Therapist Assistant Program at Tarrant County College District is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE).
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 about state qualifications and licensure requirements, refer to the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy website at www.fsbpt.org.
CAPTE Contact Information
- Address: 3030 Potomac Avenue, Suite 100, Alexandria, Virginia 22305-3085.
- Telephone: 703-706-3245
- Email: accreditation@apta.org
- Website: www.capteonline.org
If you need to contact us at TCC, email Stacie Anderson at stacie.anderson2@tccd.edu.
Graduation from a CAPTE-accredited program is a requisite for application for Texas licensure as a PTA. Licensure in Texas is provided by the Texas Board of Physical Therapy Examiners.
Complaints
File a Complaint with TCC Health Sciences
If you have a complaint regarding our PTA Program, its students, faculty or staff, please download and complete our PTA Complaint Form (PDF)Listen. Send it to the Director of Health Sciences, who will review the complaint with our PTA Program coordinator.
If you would like to request records of complaints about our PTA Program, its students, faculty or staff, please download and complete our PTA Complaint Information Request Form (PDF)Listen.
Note: We do not share personal information–such as academic standing or demographic or medical information–about students, faculty, staff or patients with the general public.
File a Complaint with CAPTE
CAPTE considers complaints about accredited programs and about CAPTE itself.
Find out how to File a Complaint with CAPTE.
Program Outcomes Data
Graduation Rates
- 2021–2022 2-year average: 95%
- 2022–2023 2-year average: 88%
- 2023: 89.7%
- 2024: 87.5%
- 2023–2024 2-year average: 88.7%
Pass Rates: 2-Year Averages
(Data provided by Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy)
2-Year Time Spans | First-Time Pass Rate | Ultimate Pass Rate |
---|---|---|
2021–2022 | 95% | 95% |
2022–2023 | 91.6% | 94% |
2023–2024 | 91.5% | 95.7% |
Graduate Employment Rates: 2-Year Averages
Percentages (2-year averages) of graduates who sought employment and were hired as physical therapist assistants within 12 months after graduation:
- 2021–2022: 100%
- 2022–2023: 100%
- 2023–2024: 100%
How Much Time & Money to Finish?
2024–2025 Academic Year
Degree or Certificate | Program Title | Semester Credit Hours | Total Tuition & Fees |
---|---|---|---|
AAS | Physical Therapist Assistant | 66 | $4,884 |
Notes:
- Tuition is based on in-state, in-county rates.
- Totals do not include textbooks and other materials.
Continuing Education Programs
Time commitments and fees vary depending on the course.
Earn More Choices & More Money
Transfer to a college or university to continue your studies. Earning a bachelor’s degree opens the door to career and promotion opportunities.
Next steps
- Talk to your advisor about planning for transfer
- Explore transfer schools
Start on Your Pathway!
- Apply to TCC
- Find out about financial aid
- Talk to an academic advisor
- Visit career services
- Request a transcript evaluation if you are transferring to TCC
Contact
Trinity River Campus
Health Care Professions
Advising Resource Hub
Janette Keen
Career Advisor
Call 817-515-1484
Email TR.HealthCareAdvising@tccd.edu
Advising by Appointment
Fall & Spring Hours
Monday–Friday: 8 a.m.–5 p.m.
Summer Hours
Monday–Thursday: 7:30 a.m.–6 p.m.
Updated November 05, 2024