Program Details
Program Details

Program Details

Associate of Applied Science in Physical Therapist Assistant Degree

Associate of Applied Science
Virginia Western Community College

The curriculum prepares students to become licensed members of the health care team by providing physical therapy services in various settings under the direction of a licensed physical therapist. Upon completing the program, graduates will be eligible to take the National Physical Therapist Assistant Examination.


Program Overview & Guidance
Expand or Shrink Accordion
Program Web Page
Click here for Details
External Link
Delivery Mode
In-Person
Check Course Schedules
Delivery Mode
Online
Check Course Schedules
Delivery Mode
Hybrid
Check Course Schedules
Program Guidance Element What You Need to Know
Considerations for Selecting Degree Did you know that the physical therapist assistant program at Virginia Western Community College prepares you for an exciting career as an integral member of the rehabilitation team and allows you to work in a variety of healthcare settings?
Considerations When Selecting Courses

There are many program specific requirements for admission to the PTA Program at Virginia Western Community College. Students interested in applying to this program should consult their academic advisor for specific guidance on courses to take for this program.

  • Create a schedule for all required courses, pay attention to prerequisites and when courses are offered, complete your first math and English courses in your first year
  • Connect with an advisor at your community college and Virginia Western Community College within your first year via College Connect
Program Requirements Beyond Specific Courses In addition to the traditional classroom setting, this program requires hours in a clinical setting. Students accepted into the PTA program will be required to have a clear criminal background check, clear drug screening and other requirements established by the clinical agencies. Please be aware that any felony conviction or positive drug screen for illegal drug use will prevent the student from attending the hospital clinical sites and completing the program. Students will be required to travel to clinical sites and are responsible for their own transportation. There are additional costs for this program such as uniforms, student instrument kits, license requirements, physical examinations and certification exams that are the responsibility of the individual student.
Doing More With Your Degree The curriculum is designed to prepare selected students to become part of a skilled allied health care team that will provide physical therapy services under the direction of a licensed Physical Therapist. Students are prepared as generalists, allowing them to enter a variety of clinical settings following graduation and licensure. Upon completion of the program, graduates will be eligible to the take the National Physical Therapist Assistant Examination. A passing score on the examination is required to obtain a license to practice as a physical therapist assistant (PTA) and licensure is required in all 50 states to practice as a PTA. While not designed for transfer, students interested in transferring should verify program requirements with specific four-year institutions.
Program Successes & Highlights Graduation from a physical therapist assistant education program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), 3030 Potomac Ave., Alexandria, VA 22305-3085; phone: 703-706-3245; email: accreditation@apta.org is necessary for eligibility to sit for the licensure examination, which is required in all states. Effective November 2, 2021, Virginia Western Community College has been granted Candidate for Accreditation status by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (3030 P
Related Programs & Certifications
Expand or Shrink Accordion
Credential That Prepares You For This Program
Credential
Career Studies Certificate in Health Professions: Introduction to Physical Therapist Assistant
Link
Program Credit Requirements
Expand or Shrink Accordion
The table below provides the requirements to complete this program. If you have an account and have created a Portfolio, the table includes the "Applied Credits" column. This column shows how the credits you earned based on the experiences you entered may be applied to satisfy these requirements. You should consult an advisor or counselor to find courses you can take at your current institution that will transfer to this degree.

Please note that some courses may count towards more than one requirement such as meeting a general education requirement and a major specific requirement. The course will be listed under the first matching requirement. Please contact the institution with questions.

The program map provided below is an estimate based on courses identified as a result of reviewing your portfolio and the requirements for the selected program.

A formal determination of credits awarded for your prior learning and their applicability to the degree requirements can only be made by the institution. The formal determination and resulting map may reflect higher or lower number of credits to be completed to achieve this program.
Requirements
Required Credits
Associate of Applied Science in Physical Therapist Assistant Degree
69
Associate of Applied Science in Physical Therapist Assistant Degree
69
PHYSICAL THERAPIST ASSISTANT
69
BIO 141 or EQUIVALENT
4
BIO 141 RQ
4
Earn 4 credits by completing courses from the following Course list:
HLT 141ac RQ
1
HLT 141ac RQ
1
Earn 1 credits by completing courses from the following Course list:
PSY 230
3
PSY230 C+
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
PTH 122
5
PTH 122 RQ
5
Earn 5 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
PTH 251
3
PTH 251 RQ
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
PTH 226
4
PTH 226 RQ
4
Earn 4 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
PTH 255
2
PTH 255 RQ
2
Earn 2 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
PTH 151
4
PTH 151 RQ
4
Earn 4 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
PTH 227
3
PTH 227 RQ
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
PTH 252
4
PTH 252 RQ
4
Earn 4 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
BIO 142 RQ
4
BIO 142 C+
4
Earn 4 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
PTH 105
3
PTH 105 RQ
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
PHI 220
3
PHI 220 C+
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
PTH 110
1
PTH 110 RQ
1
Earn 1 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
PTH 115
5
PTH 115 RQ
5
Earn 5 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
PTH 245
2
PTH 245 RQ
2
Earn 2 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
PTH 225
4
PTH 225 RQ
4
Earn 4 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
PTH 210
2
PTH 210 RQ
2
Earn 2 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
PTH 131
2
PTH 131 RQ
2
Earn 2 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
SDV 101 - Orientation to Health Professions
2
SDV 101 - Health C+
2
Earn 2 credits by completing courses from the following Course list:
PTH 121
5
PTH 121 RQ
5
Earn 5 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
ENG 111
3
ENG111_C RQ
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
What If I Have An Associate Degree Or Credit For Prior Learning?
Expand or Shrink Accordion
Transfer Guidance Element What You Need to Know
Associate Transfer Degree Completion To discuss how your previous degree can be incorporated into your new long term goals, please meet with an advisor.

BIO 141 must be completed with a "C" or better and within five years of beginning the program. The required CPR certification is American Heart Association Healthcare Provider CPR which includes hands-on training with infant, child, adult and AED.
Completion of Associate Degree Concurrent with High School To discuss how your previous degree can be incorporated into your new long term goals, please meet with an advisor.
Credit for Prior Learning Yes
Did You Know That...
  • Completing your Associate transfer degree post-high school satisfies all lower division general education requirements and increases the chance of completing your bachelor's degree?
  • Exceeding 3 years or 90 credits at your community college means you may have exhausted your financial aid at that college and have limited your future financial aid at: Virginia Western Community College
College Level Information
Expand or Shrink Accordion
Transfer Center
Visit our transfer site for more information
External Link
Transfer Admission Application
Transfer Students - Apply Here
External Link
Transfer Student Aid
Financial Aid for Transfer Students
External Link
Number of Transfer Students
519
College Fit Guidance What You Need to Know
Is This College Right For Me? Virginia Western Community College's service region includes the cities of Roanoke and Salem, along with Roanoke County, Craig County, Franklin County, and southern Botetourt County. Virginia Western was the first college established in the Virginia Community College System, in 1966, and has grown from an initial enrollment of 1,352 to its current annual enrollment of more than 8,500 students in credit courses and more than 1,200 enrollments in accelerated career training and continuing education courses.
Transfer Student Catalog Year A student's catalog year is determined by their first semester of attendance in the major.
First Year Student Catalog Year A student's catalog year is determined by their first semester of attendance in the major.
Applying for Guaranteed Admissions https://www.virginiawestern.edu/transfer/transfer-agreements/
Where Can This Degree Transfer
Expand or Shrink Accordion
Institution Title Degree Award Name Award Level Delivery Mode
Careers Where This Degree Applies
Expand or Shrink Accordion
This program could not be matched to any related careers. Please contact the institution for assistance with matching this program to careers.

Cost To Complete
Expand or Shrink Accordion

This section provides you with a very high-level estimate of your costs and is purely intended as a guide. You should consult the institution via College Connect to get a more detailed estimate based on the totality of your circumstances. The selections below are based on information gathered from your Profile and the estimated costs are calculated based on the 69 credits remaining to be completed

Please select the "Cumulative Months of Service" that determine your Post 9/11 GI Bill benefits.
Estimated Cost for the Associate of Applied Science in Physical Therapist Assistant Degree at Virginia Western Community College
These costs are based on an estimated 4 semesters or 2 years remaining to complete this degree (assuming a full-time load of 16 hours per semester)
Category Cost Basis Cost (To You) Estimated Benefits Net Cost Notes
Tuition $170 Per Credit $11,730 $0 $11,730 Includes Dual Enrollment
Fees
Fees $15 Per Credit $1,035 0 $1,035
*Please note that the above estimated costs do not include all Federal, State or other financial aid, grants, scholarships, etc. for which you may qualify. All such aid could substantially reduce these costs.
Other Financial Aid to Pay for College:
  • You may be eligible for additional financial aid from Federal, State, and Local sources. Military education benefits are not considered in determining eligibility for federal financial aid. Everyone is therefore encouraged to apply for federal financial aid by submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), because many will qualify for additional educational funds like Pell Grants, worth over $5,500/yr.