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Physical Therapist Assistant | AAS
This program is eligible for free tuition
Degree
Associate of Applied Science
Credits
72.5
Location
Sioux City
Estimated Program Costs Required Classes Entrance Requirements Accreditation Information Licensure Information Physical Therapist Assistant Handbook Physical Therapist Assistant Program Financial Fact Sheet Create TEAS Account TEAS Fact Sheet for Physical Therapist Assistant Admissions

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

The Physical Therapist Assistant Program 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: http://www.capteonline.org.  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.
  2022 2023 2024 2-Year Ave.
Graduation Rates (per CAPTE methodology) 83.33% 66.7% 83.33% 74.07% (23-24)
Employment Rates 100% 100% 100% 100% (23-24)
First-Time Licensure Pass Rates 70% 91.7% 80% 86.4% (23-24)
Ultimate Licensure Pass Rates 80% 100% TBD 91% (22-23)
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Meet Your Advisor

Fran DeJong
Fran DeJong
Academic Advisor
fran.dejong@witcc.edu
Call  712.317.3345
Sioux City Campus, Admissions
Book Appointment with Fran

Required Classes for Physical Therapist Assistant

For a list of current required classes, visit:
https://catalog.witcc.edu/preview_program.php?catoid=14&poid=3161&returnto=1099

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
 

Meet Your Faculty and Staff

Amanda Heilman PTA, MHS
Amanda Heilman PTA, MHS
Administrative Program Coordinator
amanda.heilman@witcc.edu
Call  712.317.3483
Sioux City Campus, Room A109
Linda Mercer PT, DPT
Linda Mercer PT, DPT
Physical Therapist Assistant Instructor
linda.mercer@witcc.edu
Call  712.317.3135
Sioux City Campus, Room L307
Dr. Teri Peterson DNP, MSN, RN
Dr. Teri Peterson DNP, MSN, RN
Associate Dean - Health Sciences
teri.peterson@witcc.edu
Call  712.317.3357
Sioux City Campus ,Room L314
 

Accreditation Information

The Physical Therapist Assistant program at Western Iowa Tech Community College is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), 3030 Potomac Ave. Suite 100, Alexandria, VA 22305-3085; telephone: 703.706.3245; email: accreditation@apta.org; website: www.capteonline.org.

If needing to contact the program/institution directly please call 712.317.3483 or amanda.heilman@witcc.edu.

Information on filing a formal complaint with CAPTE can be found at www.capteonline.org/complaints/.

Pursuant to United States Department of Education (US DOE) regulation 34 CFR 668.43 (a) (5) (v), the Western Iowa Tech Community College Physical Therapist Assistant Program Disclosure resulting in an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) provides the following information for all prospective and current students:

  • The program has determined that its curriculum meets the state educational requirements for licensure or certification in all states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands secondary to be awarded candidacy status by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education 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.
  • Per CAPTE rule 7.2, "all credits and degrees earned and issued by a program holding candidacy are considered to be from an accredited program."
  • Students are eligible to sit for licensure in all states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, but it is the responsibility of each student to investigate any additional requirements for licensure in any state other than Iowa.
  • This statement serves to meet the USDOE regulation until further notice.

Licensure Information

Examination and Licensure are the responsibility of the student.

For Iowa contact
Board of Physical and Occupational Therapy
IDPH/Bureau of Professional Licensure
400 SW 8th Street, Suite D
Des Moines, IA 50309
Phone: 515.281.0254
https://dial.iowa.gov/licenses/medical/pt-ot

To obtain information regarding licensure boards of other states contact:

View Program Licensure Information

To view educational requirements for the state you wish to work, visit https://www.fsbpt.org/Free-Resources/Licensing-Authorities-Contact-Information

 

Estimated Program Costs

In-state tuition and fees: $15,442.50 *
Out-of-state tuition and fees: $15,877.50 *
Educational fees: $97.00/semester
Estimated books: $600.00/semester **
Estimated transportation and personal expense: $1,373.00/semester
Estimated student housing and food: $3,450.00/semester

* This is an approximate cost based on tuition and fees set by the Board of Directors before each school year. Course level fees may also apply. Use our class search page to find more information specific to each class. Additional charges for licensure or credential testing may be a part of your program.
** The cost of books varies per program.