Physical Therapy Assistant Program

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.

Associate in Applied Science—Physical Therapist Assistant

Explore Physical Therapist Assistant Careers

Learn more about career outcomes for Harper's Physical Therapist Assistant degree program. Each career profile offers a complete picture on the local job market, including salaries, open positions, top local employers and more. To learn more, visit our Physical Therapist Assistant Careers page.

Physical Therapist Assistants

* Data sampled April 2025. Visit the Physical Therapist Assistants career profile for most current data.

$70,035
Median Salary

14.5%
Projected Job Growth (2025-2032)

273
Job Postings

Description:

Assist physical therapists in providing physical therapy treatments and procedures. May, in accordance with state laws, assist in the development of treatment plans, carry out routine functions, document the progress of treatment, and modify specific treatments in accordance with patient status and within the scope of treatment plans established by a physical therapist. Generally requires formal training.

Core tasks:

Document patient information, such as notes on their progress.
Instruct, motivate, safeguard, and assist patients as they practice exercises or functional activities.
Observe patients during treatments to compile and evaluate data on their responses and progress and provide results to physical therapist in person or through progress notes.
Instruct patients in proper body mechanics and in ways to improve functional mobility, such as aquatic exercise.

Quick facts:

Resources

Program Data

Program Acceptance and Matriculation Rates

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

	AY 19-20	AY 20-21	AY 21-22	AY 22-23	AY 23-24
Enrollment	23	24	23	16	21
% of applicants accepted into program*	85%	63%	100%	100%	100%
% of accepted applicants who enrolled	82%	92%	92%	89%	91%

*% of applicants who have met all required minimums to apply to the PTA program as outlined in the application and who have been offered a spot in the program.

Graduation Data

	AY 20-21	AY 21-22	AY 22-23	AY 23-24	AY 24-25
Graduation Rate (100% time)	86.36%	70.83%	58.88%	92.3%	75%
Graduation Rate (150% time)	N/A	79.17%	64.71%	92.3%	75%
Graduation Rate (2-year average)	N/A	82.16%	73.17%	73.33%	82.76%

-Graduation rate (100% time) identifies students enrolled in the program who successfully graduated from the program in the established timeframe of 2 years. Does not include students who withdrew from the program for non-academic reasons.

-Graduation rate (150% time) identifies students enrolled in the program who successfully graduated from the program in 150% of the established timeframe, or 3 years. Does not include students who withdrew from the program for non-academic reasons.

NPTE Pass Rates

	AY 20-21	AY 21-22	AY 22-23	AY 23-24	AY 24-25
NPTE First Time Pass Rate	73.7%	57.98%	100%	92.3%	100% *
NPTE Ultimate Pass Rate	89.5%	84.2%	100%	100%	N/A *
Licensure Pass Rate (2-year average)	N/A	86.85%	89.65%	100%	N/A *

Employment Data

	AY 20-21	AY 21-22	AY 22-23	AY 23-24	AY 24-25
Employment Rate	100%	100%	100%	100%	N/A
Employment Rate (2-year average)	N/A	100%	100%	100%	N/A

-Employment Rate is the percent of graduates who sought employment and were employed as a PTA within 1 year of graduation.

*Any data listed as N/A denotes that information is not yet available.

Financial Information

You will find information regarding program costs and debt acquired in the links below for the most recent graduating cohort.

PTA Financial Aid Fact Sheet 2023-2024 (Student Debt)

PTA Program 2024-2025 Tuition and Fees

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 847.925.6096 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/