Physical Therapist Assistant | AAS

Accredited by the Commission in Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE). 

Physical Therapist Assistants at Western Iowa Tech Community College is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), 3030 Potomac Ave., Suite 100, Alexandria, Virginia 22305-3085; telephone: 703.706.3245; email: accreditation@apta.org; website: www.capteonline.org. The program's current status is probationary accreditation; for more information see www.capteonline.org/about-capte/recent-actions-and-updates/recent-actions. If needing to contact the program/institution directly, please call 712.317.3483 or email amanda.heilman@witcc.edu.

Physical Therapist Assistants (PTAs) work under the direct supervision of a physical therapist. You will treat patients who are recovering from injuries and illnesses to help them regain movement, manage pain, and return to doing things that are important to them. Treatments provided by PTAs may include exercise, ultrasound, manual techniques, and educating patients and family members. PTAs may also be involved in prevention of injuries and promoting health and wellness.

This program has additional entrance requirements. You must complete all requirements to be accepted into the program.

This program provides you with the knowledge and skills required to pass the National Physical Therapy Examination for PTA.

Program Goals

1. Students will be able to communicate with and educate patients, caregivers, and others involved in patient care.
2. Students will be academically prepared to practice under a physical therapist’s supervision in various settings.
3. Graduates seeking positions in the field of physical therapy will be successfully employed.
4. PTA faculty will provide contemporary education to meet the diverse needs of student learners.
5. The PTA program will satisfy the employment needs of the communities we serve.

	2020	2021	2022	2023	2-Year Ave.
Graduation Rates (per CAPTE methodology)	86.7%	66.7%	TBD	TBD
Employment Rates	100%	100%	85.7%	TBD	92.85% (21-22)
First-Time Licensure Pass Rates	57.1%	58.3%	70%	91.67%	80.84% (22-23)
Ultimate Licensure Pass Rates	71.4%	75.0%	70%	TBD	72.5% (21-22)

Licensure

Examination and Licensure are the responsibility of the student.

For Iowa contact
The Board of Physical and Occupational Therapy Examiners Bureau of Professional Licensure
Iowa Department of Public Health
Des Moines, Iowa 50319-0075
Phone: 515.281.4401
https://idph.iowa.gov/licensure/iowa-board-of-physical-and-occupational-therapy

To obtain information regarding licensure boards of other states contact:

• American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) at 1.800.999.2782 www.apta.org
• The Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT) at 1.703.299.3100 https://www.fsbpt.org/Free-Resources/Licensing-Authorities-Contact-Information

Educational licensure is met in the following states: Iowa
Educational licensure is not met for the following states: None
If not listed above, determination has not yet been made for the remaining states: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming
To view educational requirements for the state you wish to work, visit https://www.fsbpt.org/Free-Resources/Licensing-Authorities-Contact-Information

Entrance Requirements

All students must submit the following items for application to the program to be considered:

• A copy of a Final Official High School, GED or HSED transcript with date of graduation. For applicants currently in high school, please present a current high school transcript and then later submit the Final Official High School Transcript with the date of graduation.
• Official college transcripts of previously attended institutions.
• ACT Scores (if completed) listed on HS Transcript or other official documentation.

All students must meet one of the following criteria for admission/acceptance into the PTA program:

Criteria 1 for Acceptance:

• Verification of HS, GED, HSED official transcripts; AND
• Documentation of 22 ACT composite/SAT 1100 or higher OR

Criteria 2 for Acceptance:

• Verification of HS, GED, HSED official transcripts; AND
• Documentation of TEAS composite score minimum of 60% OR

Criteria 3 for Acceptance:

• Verification of HS, GED, HSED official transcripts; AND
• Verification of current credentials in a health-related field with an Associate Degree or higher OR

Criteria 4 for Acceptance:

• Human Anatomy and Physiology I and II with lab, with a grade of B- or higher within the past 5 years; AND
• MAT-772 or equivalent or higher with a grade of B- or higher within the past 5 years

Estimated Cost of Attending