Program:
Physical Therapist Assistant

Degree Awarded:
Associate of Science degree in Physical Therapist Assistant

Length of Program:
Traditional: 6 semesters (24 months)
Transfer: 4 semesters (16 months)

Application Deadlines:
Nov 15th, Feb 15th, and June 1st
Apply Now

Hands-on Experience

The PTA program offers students hands-on experiences in our on-campus skills lab and at more than 250 clinical site locations.

Degree Overview

The Clarkson College PTA program prepares students to professionally provide high quality, ethical and compassionate rehabilitative services to patients of all ages and abilities. Upon successful completion of all PTA degree requirements, graduates will be eligible to sit for the National Physical Therapy Examination for Physical Therapist Assistants. As a licensed PTA, graduates have the skills to work as an integral part of a rehabilitation team under the supervision of a licensed physical therapist.

Incoming students may choose from two options:

Associate of Science in Physical Therapist Assistant – Traditional On-Campus Option: The traditional option is designed for first-time college students, those who have not previously earned an accredited associate’s or bachelor’s degree, or those with previous college credits that would like to take fewer courses per semester. Throughout the integrated two-year program (6 semesters), you will spend ample hands-on time in our on-campus labs and complete two six week clinical experiences during your final semester.

Associate of Science in Physical Therapist Assistant - Transfer Hybrid Option: The transfer hybrid option is for individuals who have an associate degree or higher or have earned at least 35 credit hours from an accredited college or university. Throughout the 16 month-program (4 semesters), transfer students complete three semesters of asynchronous distance education courses with four on-campus skills weekends (Friday and Saturdays) per semester and complete two six week clinical experiences in your final semester.

The following courses must be completed prior to entry into the PTA Transfer option:

Course Semester Hours
Medical Terminology 1
English Composition I 3
Introduction to Psychology 3
Anatomy (plus lab) (must be current within last five years) 4
Physiology (plus lab) (must be current within last five years) 4
Electives (minimum) 20
  Total 35

Students who are interested in earning their advanced degree can choose our Dual Degree Associate and Bachelor of Science in PTA option and earn both their associate and bachelor’s degrees in just over three years.


Additional Resources

2023 Student Financial Fact Sheet - Traditional
2023 Student Financial Fact Sheet - Transfer

How we prepare
the best

  • Begin working as a PTA in just two years in a field with an expected growth rate of 26% from 2022-2032.
  • Service learning opportunities to prepare for real world and clinical experiences.
  • Choice of clinical experiences from over 250 sites across the nation.
  • Long standing relationships with PT programs for PT/PTA student collaboration.
  • Employment rate consistently at 100%.

PTA Required Courses Traditional Track (24-month option)

The following curriculum plan for an Associate of Science in Physical Therapist Assistant degree has been provided. Below is the lock-step outline of the program’s curriculum to guide students.

Total Semester Hours - 74

PTA - Transfer Track Required Courses (16-month option)

The following curriculum plan for an Associate of Science in PTA degree has been provided. Below is the lock-step outline of the program’s curriculum to guide students.

Tuition and Fees

Estimated rates for the 2023-24 academic year. Rates are subject to change. Find out more information about costs, tuition, and fees.

Scholarships

Learn which scholarships you are eligible for as an in-coming or current student.
Learn More

Financial Aid

Explore the various loan and grant opportunities available to help fund your education.
Learn More

Undergraduate Tuition

Cost per Credit Hour
$651


Cost per Semester
$7,962 - Full-time (12 hrs)
$3,981 - Part-time (6 hrs)

Tuition
Undergraduate Tuition$651 / credit-hour
Fees - Included in cost per semester
Enrollment Fee for first time students $150/ each
Degree Specific Fees - Not included in cost per semester
Interprofessional education – IPE Course Fee IPE 301 $124/ student
Labs (8104, SC1540) $30/ class
PTA: APTA student membership (8104, SC7135) $105/ each
Polo (8104, SC7040) $35/ student
PTA Lab Videos (PTA 105, PTA 105.0E, PTA 215) $169/ student
PTA: Board Prep Fee (PTA 213) $260/ each
Lab Fee - General Education $40/ class
National PTA Board Exam $485/ student
PTA Credentialing Fees $300/ student

Career Overview

Median Salary

$62,770
(Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2023)

Job Outlook

Employment for Physical Therapist Assistants is projected to grow 26% from 2022-2032.
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.