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Allied Health

Physical Therapist Assistant

A Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) is an essential partner in treating patients with movement impairments related to injury or illness and preventive wellness programs.
Group of students practicing in a PTA lab
 

Upcoming Physical Therapist Assistant Program Start Date:

August 19, 2024
(Application Deadlines: Early Accept - March 29, 2024 Regular Accept - May 23, 2024)

Under the direction of a licensed Physical Therapist, the PTA may provide therapies to improve mobility, relieve pain, and/or the prevention of further injury. Physical Therapist Assistants can work in various practice settings, including hospitals, private practices, nursing homes, rehabilitation centers, schools, and outpatient settings. Graduates of the program are eligible to take a national examination from the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT) to become licensed Physical Therapist Assistants. Prospective Physical Therapist Assistant students with prior criminal offenses should contact the Virginia Board of Physical Therapy to verify eligibility for licensure and employment in Virginia.

Riverside is proud to offer:

  • A program leading to an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Physical Therapist Assistant
  • Full-time Day option consisting of four 16-week semesters and one four-week summer semester (68 total weeks - two academic years) in addition to specified College-level prerequisite pre-admission courses - occasional evening and weekend hours my be required
  • Theoretical instruction integrated with laboratory simulations and clinical experience
  • Hands-on clinical experience in our modern medical center and a variety of affiliated clinical sites
  • Financial aid for students who qualify
  • Career Planning
  • Associated with Riverside Health System Career planning services for current students and alumni

Prerequisite College Courses/Credits

  • Anatomy and Physiology with Lab - 4 Credits*
  • English Composition - 3 Credits*
  • College Math (any 100-level or higher) - 3 Credits*
  • Psychology: Gen, Intro or Developmental - 3 Credits
  • Medical Terminology - 3 Credits

*Applicants must have completed the Anatomy & Physiology with Lab, English Composition and College Math requirements before a formal application can be submitted and reviewed. Psychology and Medical Terminology must be completed before matriculation.

Preadmission Testing Requirements
ATI TEAS Suggested Score: 61.4% or higher
Average Accepted TEAS Score: 73.6%

Other Requirements

  • The applicant must graduate from an accredited U.S. high school with a GPA of 2.0 or higher or have earned a high school equivalency (GED) certificate.
  • Preadmission testing is required.
  • Documentation of previous healthcare experience (including volunteer hours) is recommended.

Physical Therapist Assistant

  • General Education Prerequisites: 15 credit hours
  • RCHC Program Hours - Theory: 38.5 credit hours
  • RCHC Program Hours - Lab: 11 credit hours
  • RCHC Program Hours - Clinical: 15.5 credit hours

PROGRAM ACCREDITED BY:

  • The Physical Therapist Assistant program at Riverside College of Health Careers is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education of the American Physical Therapy Association (CAPTE)
    3030 Potomac Ave., Suite 100
    Alexandria, VA 22305-3085
    703-706-3245, www.capteonline.org
    Email: [email protected]
    If needing to contact the program/institution directly, please call 757-240-2200 or email [email protected].

NATIONAL CREDENTIALING:

  • Graduates of the program are eligible to sit for the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) by the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT) to become licensed to practice as a Physical Therapist Assistant. Application for the exam is the student's responsibility and involves additional fees charged by the FSBPT. Additional information regarding the PTA exam may be obtained from:
  • Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT)
    124 West Street South
    Third Floor
    Alexandria, VA 22314
    703-229-3100, www.fsbpt.org

STATE CREDENTIALING:

  • To practice as a Physical Therapist Assistant in the State of Virginia, individuals must apply for licensure from the Virginia Board of Physical Therapy (VBOPT). Application for licensure is the student's responsibility and involves additional fees charged by VBOPT. Additional information regarding PTA licensure may be obtained from:
    Department of Health Professions Board of Physical Therapy Perimeter Center
    9960 Mayland Drive, Suite 300
    Henrico, Virginia 23233-1463
    804-367-4674
    www.dhp.virginia.gov/PhysicalTherapy
    RCHC Licensure Disclosure Information

INSTITUTIONAL CERTIFICATION:

  • Certified by the State Council of Higher Education (SCHEV) to operate in Virginia.

SCHEV
101 N. 14th Street James Monroe Building
Richmond, VA 23219
804-225-2600, www.schev.edu

INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITATION:

  • Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES)
    6116 Executive Blvd, Suite 730
    North Bethesda, MD 20852
    703-917-9503, www.abhes.org

RIVERSIDE REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER IS ACCREDITED BY:

Tuition Breakdown for Physical Therapist Assistant Program

  • $350 per GEN/HLT credit
  • $430 per PTA credit

Total Tuition: $28,200

Other Associated Costs

  • Book Estimate: $1,405
  • Uniform & Shoe Estimate: $150
  • Supplies Estimate: $140
  • Credentialing Estimate:$700

Physical Therapist Assistant Outcomes

Physical Therapist Assistant Acceptance & Matriculation Rates

Physical Therapist Assistant Financial Fact Sheet

In response to federal regulation 34CFR 668.43, the program has determined its curriculum meets the state educational requirements for licensure or certification in all states, the District of Colombia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, secondary for accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), based on the following:

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 regarding state qualifications and licensure requirements, refer to the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy website at www.fsbpt.org.

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