The Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) is a technically educated health care provider who assists the physical therapist in the provision of physical therapy. Under the supervision of a physical therapist and within the physical therapy plan of care the tasks performed by the PTA may include but are not limited to effectively communicating through listening, speaking, reading and writing in English with a variety of patients, assessing patient progress, gathering patient information, performing data collection of muscle strength and patient function, taking vital signs, patient transfer and gait training, manipulation of exercise equipment, exercise instruction, application of various modalities, patient handling and facilitation skills, palpation, and wound care.

PTAs work closely with the patients and other healthcare professionals to help the individual achieve an optimal level of function. Graduation from the PTA Program prepares the student to sit for a state licensure examination. Upon receiving licensure, the graduate is prepared for entry-level employment as a Physical Therapist Assistant.

PTAs may work in private practice therapy offices, hospitals, outpatient clinics, rehabilitation centers, schools, home health agencies, fitness clubs, industrial health centers, nursing homes, pediatric centers, community health centers, colleges or universities. PTAs work with persons of all ages. Physical therapy services may be offered to individuals with musculoskeletal, neuromuscular, cardiopulmonary or integumentary conditions. A few specific areas may include children with disabilities such as cerebral palsy, and individuals with diagnoses such as stroke, spinal cord injury, traumatic brain injury, fracture, carpal tunnel, heart attack, or multiple sclerosis.

NWACC currently offers two PTA program options. The traditional PTA Program at NWACC includes two semesters of prerequisite course work followed by admission into the PTA Program for three semesters of technical and clinical physical therapy courses. This program will allow students to take all coursework online and only come to campus once a month from Friday-Sunday 8-4 for the lab component. This program is designed to meet the needs of those students who do not live in NW Arkansas but wish to have high quality PTA education available with a flexible schedule all while remaining living, completing clinical internships, and working in their hometowns. Therefore, students who reside further from NWACC will receive points towards the application process. A copy of the selection processes and criteria for both the Traditional and Hybrid programs are made available to the student on the PTA website or upon request. The deadline for the completed Traditional PTA Program application packet to be received in the Health Professions Division is March 1 and the deadline for the Hybrid Program will be November 1. The PTA degree program consists of 27 hours of general education courses and 50 hours of PTA core courses for a total of 77 credit hours in the A.A.S. degree. A list of required general education courses for each program is available on the PTA website and must be passed with a grade of “C” or better for students to be considered eligible for acceptance into the PTA program. Students in the Hybrid Program will be required to go to health care institutions outside Northwest Arkansas for clinical internships at the student’s expense, while students in the Traditional Program may be required to go to health care institutions outside Northwest Arkansas for clinical internships also at their own expense. Clinical placement is subject to criminal background checks, drug screening and other clinical facility policies. Student must carry health insurance if admitted into the PTA Program in order to attend clinical education.

Graduates of the PTA Program receive an Associate of Applied Science in Physical Therapist Assistant. The two-year average for ultimate pass rate on the National Physical Therapist Assistant Examination is 100%.

For more information, contact the Division of Health Professions or visit the NWACC Physical Therapist Assistant Program.

NOTE: General Education prerequisite courses MUST be completed the semester prior to entering the technical phase of the coursework. For example, students applying to enter the Traditional PTA Program in June must complete the prerequisite courses by the end of the spring semester and students wishing to enter the Hybrid PTA Program in January must complete courses in the fall semester.

Clinical Kinesiology must be taken at NWACC; there will be no course substitutions for this course. It is recommended that you take this course the year you are applying to the program.

Admission is made using a rank system. The Traditional program will accept the top ranked 18 students and the Hybrid Program will accept the top 10. There are options available for students wanting to complete all prerequisite courses in one year. Please see the Health Professions Advisor for information about the Biological Concepts Test and BIOL 0112 Introduction to Life Sciences. Contact a Health Professions Advisor or the PTA Program Director for advising after reviewing the NWACC PTA webpage.