Physical Therapist Assistant

Program Requirements

This program consists of 1,800 contact hours.

Medical Careers Institute’s physical therapist assistant program is designed to provide graduates with the knowledge required to work under the supervision of a Physical Therapist in the rehabilitation process. Curriculum focuses on a variety of areas including:

• Human anatomy
• Physiology
• Aging of muscles and bones as it relates to exercise and its impact on mobility, strength and coordination

Students also gain hands-on experience in the use of physical modalities such as heat, ice, ultrasound, traction, massage, and electrical stimulation to help decrease pain, increase motion, and improve function.

Upon completion, graduates with an Associate of Science Degree in Health Science with a concentration in Physical Therapist Assisting could possibly pursue a career in a wide array of settings including:

• Rehabilitation
• Outpatient clinics
• Skilled nursing
• Extended care facilities
• Sports training facilities
• Hospitals
• Homes
• Schools
• Occupational environments
• Fitness centers

The Physical Therapist Assistant Program at ECPI University, School of Health Science, Medical Careers Institute – Newport News, VA Campus and Richmond, VA Campus (Emerywood/West End Location) is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) of the American Physical Therapy Association.

The Richmond, VA program is an expansion of the accredited parent PTA program at ECPI University, School of Health Science, Medical Careers Institute – Newport News, VA.

1111 North Fairfax Street, Alexandria, VA, 22314
Phone: 703-706-3245
email: accreditation@apta.org
website: www.capteonline.org
website: Admissions and Outcomes Information

Student/Graduate Level Goals:

• The PTA program is designed to help prepare graduates for entry-level practice as physical therapist assistants who will work under the direction and supervision of a physical therapist in an ethical, legal, safe, and effective manner.
• The PTA program is designed to help prepare graduates to demonstrate entry-level critical thinking skills to effectively address patient care situations and to adapt to the rapidly changing challenges in healthcare and physical therapist assistant responsibilities.

Program Level Goals:

• The PTA program is designed to help educate the students in cultural diversity, effective communication and professional behaviors.
• The PTA education program is designed to help facilitate participation in community service and lifelong learning activities.
• The PTA Program is designed to help provide a contemporary, comprehensive and evidence-based curriculum appropriate for an entry level physical therapist assistant.

Program Faculty Level Goals:

• The PTA faculty is designed to engage in on-going professional development related to enhancing knowledge of contemporary physical therapy practice, pedagogy, and service.

Newport News Campus:

• Graduation rate for 2019 – 2020 is 87%.
• National Physical Therapy Exam for Physical Therapist Assistants first time pass rate 2019 – 2020 is: 73%.
• National Physical Therapy Exam for Physical Therapist Assistants ultimate pass rate 2019 – 2020 is: 90%.
• PTA graduates who sought employment that were employed within 12 months of graduation for 2019 – 2020 is 92.5%.

Richmond West Campus:

• Graduation rate for 2019 – 2020 is 90%.
• National Physical Therapy Exam for Physical Therapist Assistants first time pass rate 2019 – 2020 is: 84%.
• National Physical Therapy Exam for Physical Therapist Assistants ultimate pass rate 2019 – 2020 is: 98%.
• PTA graduates who sought employment that were employed within 12 months of graduation for 2019 – 2020 is 90%.

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 2019 – 2020).