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Physical Therapist Assistant - Program of Study
Updated December 2010
The program is a concentrated, two year Associate of Applied Science degree program.
All PTA lecture courses are offered through distance learning (on-line). PTA laboratory courses for hands-on learning and skill testing require one-full day (6-8 hours) of class a week at the Main Campus.
In the second year of the program, PTA students continue on-line and lab-based instruction while completing three, full time rotations in a variety of settings. Clinical instruction is offered throughout Oregon, with options to travel out of state. Students may have to travel more than 90 miles from the college campus in order to complete graduation requirements.
Physical Therapist Assistants enjoy their choice of a wide variety of practice settings such as outpatient physical therapy clinics, schools, public health clinics, hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, and home health. Some serve as members of the armed forces. In some cases physical therapist assistants may also accept traveling national and international work assignments. Additionally, Physical Therapist Assistants who attain advanced degrees may choose to become educators, researchers, and administrators. PTAs can be recognized for Advanced Clinical Practice by the American Physical Therapy Association.
Flexible scheduling is a distinctive feature of this job. Full-time, part-time, and weekend schedules are widely available.
