Physical Therapist Assistant

Become a physical therapist assistant

Physical Therapist Assistants work under the supervision of a licensed physical therapist and provide treatment to patients with musculoskeletal, neuromuscular, cardiopulmonary and integumentary conditions. PTAs work in a number of different settings and often have flexibility in scheduling.

The Physical Therapist Assistant Program at Harper College can be completed in two years (including prerequisites). The program takes advantage of Harper's fully functional virtual hospital to offer real-world training situations. Students also participate in off-site clinicals.

Harper College is offering this program at the single rate of tuition until Spring 2022 semester.

Prepare for a health profession

The Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree is designed to prepare you for entry into this profession. Coursework in the A.A.S. may also prepare you to transfer to a four-year college or university. This is a limited-enrollment program.

Associate in Applied Science—Physical Therapist Assistant

Resources

Next steps

For more information about earning your PTA degree at Harper, please contact Admissions Outreach at 847.925.6700 or fill out our request information form.

Program Data

Program Acceptance and Matriculation Rates

Each fall a new cohort of 24 students begins the technical coursework in the PTA program. Applicants must submit their application for a fall start by the deadline outlined in the Admission Criteria and Process portion of the PTA website.

2021 Data: 100% of all applicants who met the minimum required prerequisites and submitted a complete application were offered acceptance into the program. 92% of accepted students enrolled in the program.

2020 Data: 63% of all applicants who met the minimum required prerequisites and submitted a complete application were offered acceptance into the program. 92% of accepted students enrolled in the program.

2019 Data: 85% of all applicants who met the minimum required prerequisites and submitted a complete application were offered acceptance into the program. 82% of accepted students enrolled in the program.

Graduation Data

2020 Graduate Data: 86% of enrolled students graduated from the PTA program in December 2020.

NPTE Pass Rates

2020 Graduate Data:

Ultimate pass rate: 89.5% of students completing the NPTE passed the exam*
First time pass rate: 73.7% of students completing the NPTE passed the exam on their first attempt.

*Ultimate pass rate will be updated as data has not stabilized and re-takes will occur.

Employment Data

2020 Graduate Data: 100% of students surveyed reported employment as a PTA within one year of graduation after successful completion of the NPTE.

Professional Licensure Notification

Upon successful completion of the program and subsequent positive licensure determination, graduates are eligible for licensure in the following: All states, The District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and U.S. Virgin Islands. Some states require an additional jurisprudence assessment.

The Physical Therapist Assistant Program at Harper 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 directly please call 847.925.6861 or email rgura@harpercollege.edu.

Program Contact: Program Director, Dr. Rita Gura at rgura@harpercollege.edu or 847.925.6861

Any individual may submit a complaint regarding the Physical Therapist Assistant Program. Those wishing to submit a complaint should contact the program director directly. Student complaints that are academic in nature must follow the College’s Academic complaint process found in the College catalog and handbook. There will be no retaliation for any complaint or grievance filed with or regarding the PTA program.

Filing a complaint with CAPTE:

How to file a complaint: http://www.capteonline.org/Complaints/