Program:
Physical Therapist Assistant

Degree Awarded:
Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapist Assistant

Length of Program:
4 semesters (16 months)

Application Deadlines:
Rolling Admission - Fall
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Payscale College ROI 2024 Best-value School Badge

Degree Overview

The Clarkson College online Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) degree offers an advanced curriculum that prepares both new PTA graduates and currently practicing PTAs the opportunity to enhance their PTA practice and marketability in the field.

The Bachelor's degree in PTA option opens doors to new opportunities for PTA professionals. The curriculum is  focused on advanced interventions and leadership growth to elevate your practice by building a comprehensive multi-system approach to patient care. The advanced courses are centered around manual skills for orthopedic, neurological and cardiopulmonary care, outcome measures and evidence-based practice, and leadership in the health care environment.

As a graduate of the program, you will have the advanced leadership, therapeutic skills and evidence-based knowledge to progress in your current role in the physical therapy field.


Prerequisites for the Bachelor's Degree in PTA Option

  • Graduation from a PTA program that is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE),
  • Completion of the following general education courses: Anatomy and Anatomy Lab, Physiology and Physiology Lab.

Advanced Standing Credit

Clarkson College applicants and current students may inquire about the possibility of receiving credit for previous life and/or work experience(s) per Academic Policy AA-47. Please reach out to an academic advisor or your program director if you have questions.

How we prepare
the best

  • Second college in the nation to offer a Bachelor’s degree in PTA
  • Elevate your PTA practice with advanced interventions and leadership growth
  • Apply coursework to real-world experience as a practicing PTA
  • Largest PTA program in Nebraska; established in 1994

Required Courses for Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapist Assistant

Core Courses

9 semester hours

Courses Semester Hours
HCC Core - Healthcare Communication 3
HUM Core - Humanities 3
EEA Core - Ethics, Empathy, and Advocacy 3
Total Semester Hours 9
General Courses

26 semester hours

Courses Semester Hours
IPE 301 - Interprofessional Education 0
ENG 101 - English Composition I 3
ENG 102 - English Composition II 3
MAT 310 - Statistics 3
PSY 101 - Introduction to Psychology 3
Total Semester Hours 12
Students will choose one (1) concentration to complete.
Leadership Concentration
Courses Semester Hours
BUS 375 - Concepts of Leadership 2
BUS 262 - Business Communication and Marketing 3
BUS 335 - Managing Healthcare Departments 3
PTA 307 - Outcome Measures & Reporting for the PTA 3
BIO 122 - Nutrition Science 3
PTA 351 - Organizational Leadership and Practice Integration 1
PTA 451 - Community Leadership and Practice Integration 1
Electives 14
Total Semester Hours 30
Pre-Physical Therapy Concentration
Courses Semester Hours
MAT 130 - College Algebra 3
BIO 110 - Fundamentals of Biology I - Lecture and Lab 4
BIO 111 - Fundamentals of Biology II - Lecture and Lab 4
CHM 150 - General Chemistry - Lecture and Lab 4
CHM 151 - General Chemistry II - Lecture and Lab 4
PHY 200 - Physics I - Lecture and Lab 4
PHY 205 - Physics II - Lecture and Lab 4
Electives 3
Total Semester Hours 30
Major Courses

22 semester hours

Courses Semester Hours
◊ PTA 260 - Evidence-Based Practice and Ethics in Physical Therapy 3
PTA 330 - Advanced Neurological & Cardiopulmonary Interventions 3
PTA 335 - Advanced Musculoskeletal System Interventions 3
PTA 370 - Acute to Chronic Care in Physical Therapy 3
◊ PTA 475 - Capstone 3
Total Semester Hours 15

Tuition and Fees

Clarkson College offers competitive tuition rates, along with several ways to help manage the cost of your education. Tuition rates per credit hour are posted here.

There are two components to your student account: tuition and fees. Refer to Student Accounts for information regarding tuition, fees, and out of pocket expenses sorted by program.

Learn More

2026-27 Tuition

Item Cost
Undergraduate Tuition $691 / credit-hour
Fees
Enrollment Fee for first time students $150 / each
Technology Fee $350 / semester
Estimated Additional Program Costs
Credentialing (PTA National board exam, testing center, state application, etc.) $800 / student

For a complete breakdown of costs and situational expenses, view the Academic Catalog.

Career Overview

Median Salary

$64,080
(Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2024)

Job Outlook

Employment for Physical Therapist Assistants is projected to grow much faster than average, 19% from 2023-2033.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2023

 

This page includes information from O*NET OnLine by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license.