Physical Therapist Assistant - A.A.S. Degree (Career)
Physical Therapist Assistants promote movement, reduce pain, restore function, and prevent disability by providing services under the direction and supervision of a Physical Therapist. Note that PT Assistants complete an accredited associate degree program like HCC's to sit for a national exam, whereas PT Aides or Techs are on-the-job trained and not eligible to provide physical therapy.
Physical therapy interventions that a PTA may be directed to perform include:
- teaching exercises for mobility, strength, and coordination
- training for activities such as walking with crutches, canes, or walkers
- deep soft tissue massage and other mobilization techniques
- use of physical modalities such as electrotherapy and ultrasound
- measuring changes in the patient’s performance as a result of the treatment provided
PTAs work in a variety of settings including hospitals, private practices, outpatient clinics, home health agencies, nursing homes, schools, sports and fitness facilities, research organizations, and industrial settings. The need for PTAs is expected to increase into the foreseeable future as the population ages and the demand for physical therapy services grows. With a surplus of jobs available, a career in physical therapy provides competitive salaries, job security, and geographical flexibility.
Howard Community College celebrates diversity. HCC and its PTA program reflect and respect all differences in age, gender, sexual orientation, race, religion, ethnic backgrounds, and ability/disability as well as the values of equal rights, equal access, and equal treatment.
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.
Visit the PTA department page for more information on this popular allied health program.
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Accreditation and Costs
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: www.capteonline.org. If needing to contact the program/institution directly, please call 443.518.4370 or email cfontanezgarrison@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.
PTA Program Costs 2021-2022
In addition to tuition, fees and textbooks, students enrolled in the Physical Therapist Assistant Program are notified that there are additional costs. They will be required to purchase specialized equipment and there are additional costs associated with travel to clinical education sites for the four clinical education courses PTAP-213, PTAP-214, PTAP-270 and PTAP-275. Students are required to provide their own transportation to and from the various clinical sites which may include tolls and parking fees.
Effective 2022, students will be required to carry health insurance.
The following are additional fees that the student may encounter:
Category
Supply
Approximate Price
Uniform
HCC Polo
($42-45 each purchase minimum of 2)
$90.00
PTA Kit
Measuring tape
Goniometers – 6 in and 12 in
Gait belt
$47.98
BP and Stethoscope
BP and Stethoscope
$70.00
Health Clearance
Health screening
Criminal background check(s)
Immunizations
CPR
$1,000.00
Licensure Fees
Varies per state but MD is…
$150.00
Licensure Examination
FSBPT NPTE- National License Exam
$485 (as of 12/1/2021)
Textbooks
$1394.42
Lab Fees
$2350.00
Total= $5587.40
Total Cost with tuition, fees, textbooks, etc.
- Public institution, in-district student: $17,220.33
- Public institution, out of district student: $22,444.33
These costs are subject to change. Additional information can be obtained by contacting the PTA Program Chair, Cristina Garrison, please call 443-518-4370 or email cfontanezgarrison@howardcc.edu.
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