How the Bay State College PTA Program Gets You Working In The Field Faster

Looking for an efficient way to start working (and earning) in the field of physical therapy? Then check out the Physical Therapist Assistant program at Bay State College, offered in Boston this fall and at our Taunton location in the spring of 2019.

When you join the Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) Associate Degree program, you are only 21 months away from a rewarding career in healthcare. Physical Therapist Assistants are movement and rehabilitative experts and work with physicians, surgeons and other rehab professionals to maximize function and well-being in patients. 

PTA FAQs 

What is a PTA? 

PTAs are board-licensed healthcare practitioners who work with physical therapists to deliver patient care. They develop physical therapy treatment plans, apply skilled manual interventions, improve functional mobility, and progress patients to their goals. PTAs work in various settings such as acute inpatient hospitals, hospital-based outpatient services, outpatient private practices, rehabilitation hospitals, schools, homecare and nursing facilities 

What’s the difference between the training required for a PT and PTA?

PTA programs do not require a college degree to enter. Admission is through each individual school and requires a placement test. PTAs must complete a CAPTE-accredited two-year associate degree program. A doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) must complete four years of undergraduate courses and a three-year doctorate degree from an accredited graduate academic program in physical therapy. Admission to a DPT program is through a centralized application service (PTCAS) and requires a GRE.

Is the PT field growing? 

Yes, there are at least two key factors that make this a reliable, global medical field to enter. As a culture, we are slowly moving away from considering prescription medication as a way to treat chronic pain. Additionally, our aging baby boomers are remaining active longer—often with the help of joint replacement surgery. 

Bay State College offers an accredited PTA program with a great reputation. In fact, we boast an ultimate pass rate of 100% on the National Therapy Exam for PTAs for five out of the past six years! 

Explore a career in health by learning more about our Associate Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) program.