Physical Therapist Assistant
![Physical Therapy Assistant]()
![Physical Therapy Assistant]()
Physical Therapist Assistant
Application reopening Spring of 2024
Program Admission
College Admissions Policy & Procedure
Enrollment in the technical portion of the Physical Therapist Assistant program is limited to 25 students for each cohort. To be considered, you must:
- Apply to FCC
- Complete placement tests needed for FCC application
- Submit official high school or college transcripts
- Minimum unweighted 2.5 GPA from high school transcripts OR cumulative of college work (at least 12 credits)
- Pre-requisites: applicants must complete the following requirements with a grade of C or higher*
- MATH – MATH 120 Statistics or Higher
- BSCI 150- Principles of Biology
When there are more qualified applicants than there are seats in the program a point system is used to select candidates admission to the technical portion of FCC’s PTA program. Points are assigned for grades in specific general education courses (see application worksheet) completed by time of the application, work experience, and previous degrees. The students with the highest point total are offered admission to the program. If an accepted student declines his/her seat in the program or fails to complete the two pre-requisite course requirements, the next eligible student with the highest score is offered admission to the program.
Admission Information and Advising
Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) A.A.S
☑ This is a Selective Admissions Program
The Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) A.A.S. program prepares students for a career in physical therapy and allows students to enter the workforce directly after passing the national licensing examination.
The Physical Therapist Assistant A.A.S. degree program prepares students for a career in healthcare as a licensed physical therapist assistant (PTA). PTAs work with patients of all ages, from newborn to elderly, who have injuries or health-related conditions that limit their ability to move or participate in activities. A PTA works under the direction and supervision of a licensed physical therapist to help individuals regain their strength and mobility to live healthier lives. There are a variety of settings that PTAs can practice such as hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, rehabilitation centers, and schools.
Physical Therapist Assistant students participate in various classroom, laboratory, and clinical experiences. The laboratory experience provides the opportunity for hands-on experience in preparation for clinical practice in diverse clinical settings. A grade of “C” or better must be earned in all general education courses and a grade of “B” or higher is required in each technical course for progression within the PTA program. Upon completion of the program, students are eligible to sit for the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) and apply for state licensure within the US.
The Physical Therapist Assistant A.A.S. degree program at FCC is a Selective Admissions Program. This pathway is for students who have been accepted into the program only. Students who have not yet been accepted into the program should begin the Pre-Health Professions and apply to the Physical Therapist Assistant A.A.S. degree program after all selective admissions courses have been completed.
Job Pathways
Upon completion of the PTA A.A.S. degree, students are prepared to take the National PTA Licensing Examination. Students who pass the licensing exam earn credentials to work as a Physical Therapist Assistant.
Practice Setting
Physical Therapist assistants work in hospitals, outpatient therapy clinics, schools, nursing facilities, research laboratories, rehabilitation centers, and similar practice settings.
Duration / Time to Complete
This program is designed for students to complete 70 credits in 6 semesters, or approximately two years. Because the curriculum is still in development, this information is subject to modifications.
View the Healthcare Career Community
Accreditation Statement
Effective April 26, 2022, Frederick Community College PTA Program has been granted Candidate for Accreditation status by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), 3030 Potomac Ave., Suite 100, Alexandria, Virginia 22305-3085; phone: 703-706- 3245; email: [email protected]). If needing to contact the program/institution directly, please call Amelia Iams, PT, DPT at 301-846-2644 or email [email protected]. Candidate for Accreditation is an accreditation status of affiliation with the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education that indicates the program may matriculate 25 students in technical/professional courses. Achievement of Candidate for Accreditation status does not assure that the program will be granted Initial Accreditation.
Understanding the Accreditation Process for the PTA Program at FCC
Achievement of Candidate for Accreditation status does not assure that the program will be granted Initial Accreditation. FCC will have to submit further documentation in a self-study report in December of 2023. The program will undergo another site visit and enrolled students and clinical partners maybe interviewed. The accreditation board will review all documents related to the self-study and site visit and determine a decision for accreditation prior to the graduation of the charter class. In order to obtain a license to practice Physical Therapy in the United States, you must pass a national licensure exam. To take the national exam you must graduate from an accredited program. According to the accreditation board for PTA programs “All credits and degrees earned and issued by a program holding candidacy are considered to be from an accredited program”, therefore all students in the charter class, who successfully complete the program will be able to sit for the national licensure exam. The national licensure exam for PTAs is provided several times a year. Students will be able to sit for the July 2024 exam following graduation from the program in May 2024.
PTA Program Complaints
Frederick County Public School students receive free tuition at FCC for all courses. Fee and book scholarships may be available for select programs. Students should speak with their high school counselor first if they plan to enroll in an FCC workforce development course or program.
For related non-credit Continuing Education & Workforce Development (CEWD) programs, see
Healthcare Careers.
Please note that these courses are not affiliated with FCC credit or certificate programs. While CEWD courses do not provide academic credits, participants experience affordable, flexible, and rewarding programs. Select CEWD courses offer industry-recognized training for licensure and career certification at the state and national level.
Mission, Values, and Goals
Program Mission Statement
The mission of the PTA program of Frederick Community College is to prepare competent and ethical healthcare providers that meet the needs of the community by caring for a diverse patient population under the direction and supervision of a physical therapist. Utilizing a comprehensive curriculum based on contemporary physical therapy practice, program faculty will design and deliver effective learning experiences to help prepare graduates to be culturally competent PTAs who demonstrate a commitment to professionalism, a strong desire to give back to their community and profession, and a commitment to lifelong learning.
Program Values
| EXCELLENCE |
Providing educational experiences and programming that reflect high academic standards that will result in excellent healthcare for patients |
| LEARNING |
Instilling the commitment to lifelong long learning is necessary in an ever-changing healthcare environment. All health care professionals should continue to strive for new acquisition of knowledge and skills |
| DIVERSITY |
Respecting and Supporting visible and invisible human differences that affect the way people interact in the environment |
| INNOVATION |
Using their critical and problem-solving skills our graduates can be creative in developing their treatment programs to ensure that their patients achieve their personal goals |
| COMMUNITY |
Encouraging the engagement of all healthcare providers through communication and collaboration will result in optimal healthcare. |
| INTEGRITY |
Ensuring fair and ethical healthcare as a right |
Goals
- Integrate evidence and demonstrate critical thinking to support clinical decision-making.
- Progress, monitor through data collection, respond to changes, and provide effective interventions for patient management across the lifespan within the scope of Physical Therapist Assistant practice and under the direction of a Physical Therapist.
- Communicate effectively, orally and in writing, with patients, families, and other health care providers
- Function as an entry-level general physical therapist assistant that provides competent skilled therapy services under the direction and supervision of a physical therapist.
- Communicate effectively in a culturally competent manner with other healthcare providers as well as patients from diverse cultural backgrounds.
- Demonstrate of lifelong learning, professional development, and/or community/professional service.
PTA Program Complaints
Program Pathway and Description
The pathway for the PTA Program, which includes all pre-requisites, technical education courses, and clinical education experiences is across 6 semesters. The PTA Program is a selective admission program with application submitted by May of that year. All students must have completed and passed the Math elective and BSCI 150 with a C or better prior to the start of the Fall semester. The technical courses begin in the Fall semester, are only offered once a year, and must be successfully completed in order to move forwarded with the program. The program has three full time clinical education experiences planned (4 weeks, 5 weeks, and 7 weeks) for an approximate total of 640 contact hours.
View the PTA program pathway here.
Program Manuals
Core Faculty
Director of Physical Therapist Assistant Education
Amelia Iams, PT, DPT, CIDN, CKTP, CCI
Frederick Community College
Phone:
301.846.2644
Email:
[email protected]
Director of PTA Clinical Education
Ashley Dicks, PT, DPT, CCI
Frederick Community College
Phone:
301.846.2644
Email:
[email protected]
Associate Vice President and Dean of Health, Business, Technology, and Science
Sandy McCombe Waller PhD, PT, NCS
Frederick Community College
Phone:
301.624.2826
Email:
[email protected]
Accreditation
Effective April 26, 2022, Frederick Community College PTA Program has been granted Candidate for Accreditation status by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), 3030 Potomac Ave., Suite 100, Alexandria, Virginia 22305-3085; phone: 703-706- 3245; email: [email protected]). If needing to contact the program/institution directly, please call Amelia Iams, PT, DPT at 301-846-2644 or email [email protected]. Candidate for Accreditation is an accreditation status of affiliation with the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education that indicates the program may matriculate 25 students in technical/professional courses. Achievement of Candidate for Accreditation status does not assure that the program will be granted Initial Accreditation.
Understanding the Accreditation Process for the PTA Program at FCC
Achievement of Candidate for Accreditation status does not assure that the program will be granted Initial Accreditation. FCC will have to submit further documentation in a self-study report in December of 2023. The program will undergo another site visit and enrolled students and clinical partners maybe interviewed. The accreditation board will review all documents related to the self-study and site visit and determine a decision for accreditation prior to the graduation of the charter class. In order to obtain a license to practice Physical Therapy in the United States, you must pass a national licensure exam. To take the national exam you must graduate from an accredited program. According to the accreditation board for PTA programs “All credits and degrees earned and issued by a program holding candidacy are considered to be from an accredited program”, therefore all students in the charter class, who successfully complete the program will be able to sit for the national licensure exam. The national licensure exam for PTAs is provided several times a year. Students will be able to sit for the July 2024 exam following graduation from the program in May 2024.
https://www.frederick.edu/degrees-certificates/pta-downloads-documents/pta-program-complaints.aspx
Physical Therapist Assistants
$59,770.00/yr • +32%*