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.
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.
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
Next steps
- Request Information
- Attend an Information Session
- Apply to Harper
- PTA Program Admission Process and Criteria
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.
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:
There is no graduation data at this time. Harper's first PTA cohort is scheduled to graduate in December 2020. Graduation data will be updated as available.
NPTE Pass Rates:
There is no NPTE pass rate data at this time. Harper's first PTA cohort is scheduled to graduate in December 2020. NPTE pass rates will be updated as available.
Employment Data:
There is not employment data at this time. Harper's first PTA cohort is scheduled to graduate in December 2020. Employment data will be updated as available.
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 an accreditation status of affiliation with the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education that indicates the program may matriculate students in technical/professional courses. Achievement of Candidate for Accreditation does not assure that the program will be granted Initial Accreditation.
Timeline for accreditation: CAPTE is scheduled to meet October 30-November 3, 2020. Upon completion of the meeting, we should receive notification of accreditation status within 14 days.
Filing a complaint with the PTA Program:
Contact Program Director, Dr. Rita Gura at rgura@harpercollege.edu or 847.925.6861
Filing a complaint with CAPTE:
How to file a complaint: http://www.capteonline.org/Complaints/
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