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Physical Therapist Assistant

Physical Therapist Assistants work under the supervision of a licensed physical therapist and provide treatment to patients with injuries, pain, vertigo, lymphedema, and a host of other 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 five semesters (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.

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

• Admission Criteria and Process
• Catalog Course Descriptions
• Estimated Program Expenses
• Functional Abilities
• Interpreting the NLN Exam Score Report (pdf)
• Observation Hours Confirmation Form
• Student Organizations
• Job Placement Resource Center

• Physical Therapist Assistant Student Handbook

Next steps

• Request Information
• Attend an Information Session
• Apply to Harper
• Apply to PTA program

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.

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Effective April 30, 2019, Harper College has been granted Candidate for Accreditation status by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (1111 North Fairfax Street, Alexandria, VA, 22314; phone: 703-706-3245; email: accreditation@apta.org). If needing to contact the program /institution directly, please call 847-925-6861 or email rgura@harpercollege.edu.

Candidate for Accreditation is a pre-accreditation status of affiliation with the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education that indicates the program is progressing toward accreditation and may matriculate students in technical/professional courses. Candidate for Accreditation is not an accreditation status nor does it assure eventual accreditation.

Graduation from a physical therapist assistant education program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), 1111 North Fairfax Street, Alexandria, VA 22314; phone: 703-706-3245; accreditation@apta.org is necessary for eligibility to sit for the licensure examination, which is required in all states.

Updated Timeline:

• Spring 2020 – CAPTE will return to campus for an initial accreditation visit
• Fall 2020 – CAPTE decision regarding the accreditation status of the PTA program

Filing a complaint:

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