Physical Therapist Assistant - A.A.S.

Students in the PTA program complete two years of liberal arts courses, technical coursework in physical therapy, and clinical education experiences. Upon successful completion of the PTA curriculum, students graduate with an Associate in Applied Science degree. They are then eligible to take a National Licensing Examination and apply for certification as a physical therapist assistant.

The Physical Therapist Assistant program at SUNY Canton is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education. The program received its initial accreditation in May of 1998 and was reaccredited in April, 2004.

Admission Requirements:

Admission is selective, based on academic credentials. To be considered for admission to the PTA curriculum, a student must possess the following:

• 80 cumulative high school average
• Math A exam with 75 or better, plus additional year of college prep math
• Biology Regents exam with 75 or better
• Chemistry Regents exam with 75 or better
• OR college equivalents of the above courses with C or better; and 2.5 transfer GPA
• Non-New York State high school graduate transcripts will be evaluated by admissions staff for leveling purposes.
• Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit a personal statement of 300 words or less detailing their reasons for applying to the physical therapist assistant program.
• A committee will begin reviewing qualified applicants beginning in early January with ongoing reviews monthly, until the program is full.

Career Opportunities:

• Physical Therapist Assistants work in hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, rehabilitative centers, certified home health care agencies, private practices, schools, wellness centers, and industry

Career Outlook:

• According to the 2009-2010 Occupational Outlook Handbook, employment for PTA’s is projected to grow much faster than average, with a 35% projected growth rate between 2008 and 2018.
• Job prospects for the PTA are described by the Occupational Outlook Handbook as “very good” particularly in the acute care, skilled nursing, and orthopedic settings.
• The aging of the baby boomer generation has created both the need for more healthcare workers to provide services for this population, as well as for replacements in the workforce as the baby boomer generation begins to enter retirement.

Transfer Opportunities:

SUNY Canton's Physical Therapist Assistant program is not designed as a transfer program to an upper division physical therapy program. Once completing the Physical Therapist Assistant associate degree program, students have the option of continuing their studies in the college's Bachelor of Technology program in Health and Fitness Promotion. Most physical therapy degree programs are now at the doctoral level with many requiring students to obtain a bachelors degree before applying to their graduate program. The B. Tech program may assist students in meeting admissions requirements for a graduate degree program or to enhance employment opportunities in the health and fitness field.

Accreditation:

• Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education
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  Alexandria, VA 22314-1488

Northern New York's college for technology, health, management, and public service.

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