# Physical Therapist Assistant **Institution:** ECPI University **College:** Health Science **Sub-Program:** Advanced Clinical **Degree:** Associate of Applied Science in Physical Therapist Assisting **Canonical URL:** https://www.ecpi.edu/programs/physical-therapist-assistant-programs **Last Updated:** 2026-09-02T13:39:21+00:00 ## Physical Therapist Assistant Degree Overview The Associate of Applied Science in Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) program prepares students for supervised roles as entry-level physical therapist assistants. PTAs work as part of a healthcare team, providing care under the direction of licensed physical therapists to help patients improve mobility, strength, and overall function. The program curriculum includes hands-on training in managing conditions such as musculoskeletal injuries, neurological impairments, and post-surgical recovery. Students learn to use therapeutic exercises, modalities, and manual techniques to assist patients in achieving their rehabilitation goals. The program also emphasizes effective communication, ethical practices, and adherence to safety standards in patient care. Through ECPI’s year-round accelerated schedule, students can earn their associate degree in Physical Therapy Assistant in as little as **18-months**. - **73 Total Credits** — 18 Month Associate's Degree - **Hands-On Simulations** — Clinical Training Experience ### Knowledge and Skills Graduates should grow in the following areas: - **Therapeutic Techniques** Help patients improve mobility, strength, and coordination using exercises and treatments like heat, ice, ultrasound, massage, and electrical stimulation. - **Clinical Competence** Care for patients with injuries, arthritis, burns, neurological conditions, and post-surgical needs under the supervision of a licensed physical therapist. - **Physical and Cognitive Skills** Demonstrate observation, motor skills, balance, strength, coordination, and stamina for effective therapy delivery. ## Program Structure and Learning Formats ### Locations - [Newport News, VA](https://www.ecpi.edu/locations/newport-news-va) - [Orlando Lake Mary, FL](https://www.ecpi.edu/locations/orlando-lake-mary-fl) - [Richmond, VA](https://www.ecpi.edu/locations/richmond-va) ## Physical Therapist Assistant Curriculum The Associate of Applied Science in Physical Therapist Assistant program ### Featured Courses - **Professional Issues for the Physical Therapist Assistant** — PTA101 It discusses the role of the physical therapist assistant as a member of the health care team in the delivery of rehabilitation services. The course addresses the educational and licensing requirements for a physical therapist assistant prior to entering the health care work force. - **Medical and Surgical Conditions I** — PTA145 This course also includes the classic or common physical therapy plan of care/protocols and establishes the justification for progression, modification or discontinuation of physical therapy intervention. ### Program Requirements To receive the Associate of Applied Science in Physical Therapist Assistant, students must earn 73 semester credit hours. The program requires a minimum of 5 semesters, which is equivalent to 18 months or 75 weeks of instruction. The program requirements are as follows: #### Core Courses 50 semester credit hours **Complete ALL of the following Courses:** | Course ID | Course Name | Credit Hours | |---|---|---| | [PTA101](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/PTA101 "View PTA101") | [Professional Issues for the Physical Therapist Ass](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/PTA101 "View PTA101") | 2 | | [PTA105](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/PTA105 "View PTA105") | [Musculoskeletal](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/PTA105 "View PTA105") | 3 | | [PTA108](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/PTA108 "View PTA108") | [Pathology for the Physical Therapist Assistant](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/PTA108 "View PTA108") | 2 | | [PTA111](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/PTA111 "View PTA111") | [Introduction to Physical Therapy](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/PTA111 "View PTA111") | 2 | | [PTA120](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/PTA120 "View PTA120") | [Kinesiology for the Physical Therapist Assistant](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/PTA120 "View PTA120") | 3 | | [PTA135](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/PTA135 "View PTA135") | [Rehabilitation I: Assessment](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/PTA135 "View PTA135") | 2 | | [PTA136](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/PTA136 "View PTA136") | [Rehabilitation II: Therapeutic Modalities](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/PTA136 "View PTA136") | 3 | | [PTA139](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/PTA139 "View PTA139") | [Rehabilitation III: Therapeutic Exercise](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/PTA139 "View PTA139") | 3 | | [PTA145](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/PTA145 "View PTA145") | [Medical and Surgical Conditions I](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/PTA145 "View PTA145") | 2 | | [PTA146](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/PTA146 "View PTA146") | [Medical and Surgical Conditions II](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/PTA146 "View PTA146") | 2 | | [PTA206](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/PTA206 "View PTA206") | [Neurological Rehabilitation](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/PTA206 "View PTA206") | 3 | | [PTA208](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/PTA208 "View PTA208") | [Rehabilitation IV: Devices](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/PTA208 "View PTA208") | 2 | | [PTA210](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/PTA210 "View PTA210") | [Motor Development and Aging](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/PTA210 "View PTA210") | 2 | | [PTA255](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/PTA255 "View PTA255") | [Clinical Education Experience I](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/PTA255 "View PTA255") | 4 | | [PTA256](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/PTA256 "View PTA256") | [Clinical Education Experience II](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/PTA256 "View PTA256") | 4 | | [PTA257](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/PTA257 "View PTA257") | [Clinical Education Experience III](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/PTA257 "View PTA257") | 4 | | [PTA258](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/PTA258 "View PTA258") | [Clinical Education Experience IV](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/PTA258 "View PTA258") | 4 | | [PTA275](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/PTA275 "View PTA275") | [Physical Therapist Assistant Preparatory](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/PTA275 "View PTA275") | 3 | #### Arts and Sciences Courses\* 20 semester credit hours **Complete ALL of the following Courses:** **\*For allowable substitutions of arts and sciences courses, see the Arts & Sciences Department page.** | Course ID | Course Name | Credit Hours | |---|---|---| | [BIO111](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/BIO111 "View BIO111") | [Anatomy and Physiology with Terminology I](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/BIO111 "View BIO111") | 3 | | [BIO111L](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/BIO111L "View BIO111L") | [Anatomy and Physiology with Terminology I Lab](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/BIO111L "View BIO111L") | 1 | | [BIO116](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/BIO116 "View BIO116") | [Anatomy and Physiology with Terminology II](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/BIO116 "View BIO116") | 3 | | [BIO116L](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/BIO116L "View BIO116L") | [Anatomy and Physiology with Terminology II Lab](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/BIO116L "View BIO116L") | 1 | | [ENG110](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/ENG110 "View ENG110") | [College Composition](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/ENG110 "View ENG110") | 3 | | [HUM205](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/HUM205 "View HUM205") | [Culture, Thought, and the Human Experience](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/HUM205 "View HUM205") | 3 | | [MTH131](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/MTH131 "View MTH131") | [College Algebra](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/MTH131 "View MTH131") | 3 | | [PSY105](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/PSY105 "View PSY105") | [Introduction to Psychology](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/PSY105 "View PSY105") | 3 | #### Self-Integration Courses 3 semester credit hours **Complete ALL of the following Courses:** | Course ID | Course Name | Credit Hours | |---|---|---| | [CIS108](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/CIS108 "View CIS108") | [Office Applications](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/CIS108 "View CIS108") | 2 | | [COR191](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/COR191 "View COR191") | [Career Orientation](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/COR191 "View COR191") | 1 | .factsheets {display: grid;justify-content: space-evenly;grid-template-columns: auto auto auto auto;grid-gap: 25px;} @media screen and (max-width: 700px) { .factsheets { display: contents; text-align: center;} } [Orlando PTA Program Guide](https://www.ecpi.edu/sites/default/files/2023-06/820809870%20-%20AAS%20-%20Physical%20Therapist%20Assistant%20-%20Orlando.pdf) [Newport News Fact Sheet](https://www.ecpi.edu/sites/default/files/2025-10/2025-pta-student-financial-fact-sheet-Newport-News.pdf) [Lake Mary Fact Sheet](https://www.ecpi.edu/sites/default/files/2025-10/2025-pta-student-financial-fact-sheet-Orlando.pdf) [Richmond Fact Sheet](https://www.ecpi.edu/sites/default/files/2025-10/2025-pta-student-financial-fact-sheet-Richmond.pdf) ## Program Outcomes **Orlando Campus:** - Graduation rate for 2024 – 2025 is 80%. - National Physical Therapy Exam for Physical Therapist Assistants first time pass rate 2024 – 2025 is: 75%. - National Physical Therapy Exam for Physical Therapist Assistants ultimate pass rate 2024 – 2025 is: 88%. - PTA graduates who sought employment that were employed within 12 months of graduation for 2024 is 100%. **Newport News Campus:** - Graduation rate for 2024 – 2025 is 85%. - National Physical Therapy Exam for Physical Therapist Assistants first time pass rate 2024 – 2025 is: 81%. - National Physical Therapy Exam for Physical Therapist Assistants ultimate pass rate 2024 – 2025 is: 86%. - PTA graduates who sought employment that were employed within 12 months of graduation for 2023 – 2024 is 100%. **Richmond Campus:** - Graduation rate for 2024 – 2025 is 100%. - National Physical Therapy Exam for Physical Therapist Assistants first time pass rate 2024 – 2025 is: 82%. - National Physical Therapy Exam for Physical Therapist Assistants ultimate pass rate 2024 – 2025 is: 85%. - PTA graduates who sought employment that were employed within 12 months of graduation for 2023 – 2024 is 96.5%. The Physical Therapist Assistant Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), which requires the calculation of employment rates. These annual rates, as reported in the program’s Annual Accreditation Report (AAR), are calculated as the percentage of graduates who sought employment that were employed as a Physical Therapist Assistant within one year following graduation. This accreditor has established the employment rate threshold as the employment rate averaged over the most recent two years that is consistent with national trends as determined by annual reporting mechanisms. Therefore, this rate represents the program’s employment rate averaged over the most recent two years (graduating cohorts 2023 – 2024). ## Accreditation ECPI University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award associate, baccalaureate, and master’s degrees. Full accreditation details: [ECPI University Accreditation](https://www.ecpi.edu/accreditation). ## Programmatic Accreditation The Physical Therapist Assistant program at ECPI University (Newport News and Richmond/Emerywood, Virginia campuses, and Lake Mary, Florida campus) 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: ; website: [http://www.capteonline.org](http://www.capteonline.org/). If needing to contact the program/institution directly, please call 757.490.9090 or email . **Complaints Falling Outside of ECPI University Due Process** [Click here](https://www.ecpi.edu/sites/default/files/2022-08/Complaints_Outside_of_Due_Process.pdf) for more information