Physical Therapist Assistant
Prepare for a Career in Physical Therapy
As a Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA), you'll work with patients to reduce pain, improve movement, restore function, and prevent disability under the direction and supervision of a licensed physical therapist.
HCC's Physical Therapist Assistant Associate of Applied Science degree is a full-time, daytime program that begins each fall. The curriculum prepares you to take the National Physical Therapy Examination, the required step toward licensure and employment as a PTA.
You'll learn safe, effective techniques for therapeutic massage and soft tissue mobilization, patient education, therapeutic exercise, and the use of treatment modalities such as electrotherapy and ultrasound. You'll also develop the skills to assess patient progress and adjust care under the supervision of a physical therapist. Hands-on learning is a key part of the program, with clinical experience in HCC's student skills lab and at affiliated clinical sites.
The Physical Therapist Assistant Program at Howard 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: CAPTE.org.
If needing to contact the program/institution directly, please call 443-518-4380 or email LRobertsSweeney@HowardCC.edu. In compliance with CAPTE standards, public results for the HCC Physical Therapist Assistant program's cohort student outcomes for graduation rate, licensure examination pass rate, and employment rate for the recent 2-year average are available in the PTA Program Outcomes Report.