Physical Therapist Assistant - A.A.S.

For more information on this program, contact the Health Sciences division at 615-230-3330.

Physical therapist assistant (PTA) programs in Tennessee’s state community college system are accredited two-year associate degree programs that prepare graduates to perform selected components of patient treatment and assessment under the direction and supervision of the physical therapist in an ethical, legal, safe, and effective manner. These PTA programs combine general education courses, physical therapy lecture and laboratory courses, and clinical education to produce competent, caring, quality oriented physical therapist assistants who are prepared for taking the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) and for entering the field of physical therapy with the required knowledge, skills, and behaviors of an entry-level PTA. The Vol State program meets the guidelines for accredited curricula and is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education, 111 North Fairfax Street, Alexandria, VA 22314. Telephone: 703-706-3245

Admission to the program is limited. Applicants must complete all 17 hours general education courses required for the Associate of Applied Science Degree in the Physical Therapist Assistant curriculum and maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA in these courses.  A grade of C or higher is required for transfer of credits into the program.  A grade of B or higher is required in the Math and Sciences to be considered for the program.  Students must also complete AHC 101*, AHC 115*, AHC 1100*, and MATH 1130 or MATH 1710 and demonstrate computer competency (either by receiving a “C” or higher in INFS 1010 or receiving a passing score on the Computer Competency Exam). Once students are admitted into the second year of the PTA program, three semesters of continuous full-time intensive study are required for completion. The program begins with the Summer Session. The PTA program classes frequently do not follow the regular College calendar.  The Summer Semester generally begins in May.  For more information refer to the Health Sciences Associate of Applied Science Degrees  section in the catalog.

Please go to www.volstate.edu/PTA for information regarding application deadlines.

All students graduating with a degree from VSCC are required to take the Educational Testing Service Proficiency Profile (ETSP) to meet graduation requirements. More information can be found at https://www.volstate.edu/testing.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this program, the graduate will have developed the skills, knowledge and abilities to accomplish the following:

1. Support the diverse physical therapy healthcare needs of Tennessee communities through employment as physical therapist assistants working under the supervision of physical therapists.

2. Demonstrate entry-level competence as physical therapist assistants as evidenced by successful completion of the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) and qualification for state licensure.   

3. Identify career development and lifelong learning opportunities as physical therapist assistants in contemporary physical therapy practice.