Physical Therapist Assistant

Associate Degree Program

Physical therapist assistants work under the supervision of licensed physical therapists to provide services to people of all ages who have a variety of physical limitations, resulting from injury, disease or other causes. As a physical therapist assistant (PTA), you will be a licensed health care worker who provides physical therapy services under the supervision and direction of the physical therapist. You will assist with data collection, implement patient programs designed by the physical therapist, make appropriate judgments, modify interventions within the established plan of care, participate in discharge planning and follow-up care, and document the care provided to the patient. You will also educate and interact with health care team members, including families, caregivers, students and patients. Upon successful completion of this program, you will be eligible to sit for the National Physical Therapy Exam (NPTE).

Academically ready students can apply to the program following the guidelines of the Allied Health admissions process. Interested applicants should review the information provided here and contact their program advisor for application requirements.

Offered at the following campus(es): Georgetown, Wilmington

What You Can Do

In this program, you will gain the knowledge and skills to prepare you for positions in:

• Hospitals
• Rehabilitation centers
• Home health
• Out-patient clinics
• Schools
• Skilled nursing facilities

What You Will Learn

Program Graduate Competencies

The Program Graduate Competencies listed below identify the major learning goals related to your specific program of study and identify the knowledge and skills you will have when you graduate to be successful in your chosen field.

1. Work under the supervision of a physical therapist in an ethical, legal, safe and effective manner.
2. Implement PT interventions within the plan of care.
3. Perform specific data collection techniques related to the plan of care.
4. Demonstrate effective communication in the physical therapy environment.
5. Formulate appropriate judgments and modification to the program within the patient's plan of care.
6. Demonstrate effective interactions and professional behaviors.
7. Participate in career development activities.
8. Exhibit a commitment to the physical therapy profession, physical therapy patients, and the community.

Core Curriculum Competencies

The Core Curriculum Competencies listed below identify what you will be able to do as a graduate, regardless of your program of study. You will acquire these core competencies through general education courses and program-specific coursework. You will be expected to use relevant technology to achieve these outcomes:

1. Apply clear and effective communication skills.
2. Use critical thinking to solve problems.
3. Collaborate to achieve a common goal.
4. Demonstrate professional and ethical conduct.
5. Use information literacy for effective vocational and/or academic research.
6. Apply quantitative reasoning and/or scientific inquiry to solve practical problems.

Suggested Pathway to Graduation

Pursuing a Bachelor's Degree?

This is a Connected Degree program that enables you to complete your associate degree and then transfer to a four-year degree program as a junior. See a program advisor for details!

Alumni | Jerry Felipe