PROGRAM INFORMATION

What does a Physical Therapist Assistant Do?
A Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) works as a member of a health care team that provides direct patient care. PTAs work under the direct supervision of a licensed Physical Therapist to provide hands-on treatment of patients to relieve pain and improve function. Various therapeutic modes of treatment may be utilized, including heat, cold, light, water, electricity, sound, massage, and exercise.

About the Program
The Physical Therapist Assistant program is a 74 credit-hour program. There are 29 credit hours of program core courses, including 17 credit hours of general education. Included within the professional courses are three clinical experiences. Graduation from the program qualifies the student for examination for licensure by the Florida Board of Physical Therapy. See available program curriculum sequence here.

Cost 

The following is an estimate of the expenses for a resident of Florida to complete the five semesters of the professional curriculum. These expenses are subject to change without notice.

*These are estimate costs
**Based on tuition in 2011-2012

Class Size
Students are admitted to the PTA Program by a first come, first qualified admission process with 22 students accepted each fall. Students seeking admission must first be admitted to the college and complete prerequisite courses. At present, the Program's Admission Committee had established a three-year wait list for the program until 2013.  This applies to all applicants who had already completed all preadmission requirements.

Prerequisites
A total of 11 credits of general education requirements need to be completed before starting course work in the PTA Program. The remaining 6 credits of general education courses may be taken in conjunction with PTA Program course work. 

Core Courses
PTA courses consist of a total of 57 credit hours, 13 of which are clinical practice in community clinical sites.

Program Hours
The PTA Program is offered on the Winter Haven campus. Classes are scheduled Monday through Thursday and include both day and evening hours.

Graduation Rate

Approximately 88.88% of students entering the program graduate/complete the program (3-year average). Graduate surveys indicate that 100% of graduates who had passed the licensure exam are employed as physical therapist assistants.

Licensure Exam & Pass Rates

Following completion of academic and clinical work, graduates of the program will be able to sit for the National Physical Therapy Examination for the Physical Therapist Assistant and the Florida Jurisprudence Examination. The exams are administered by the Professional Examination Service of Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (PES/FSBPT), 475 Riverside Drive, New York, NY 10115, Phone: (212) 367-4200.

The ultimate NPTAE pass rate (available at www.fsbpt.org) for the 48 PTA graduates who took the exam from 2008-2010 was 93.75%.

Florida Licensure
Most states require licensure in order to practice; however, issuance of state licenses are usually based on the results of the PES/FSBPT licensing examination. Graduates need to apply for Florida licensure and to take the licensure exam upon graduation from the PTA Program. Any licensure questions can be addressed by contacting the Florida Board of Physical Therapy Practice at:

Florida Board of Physical Therapy Practice
2020 Capital Circle, SE, BIN # CO5
Tallahassee, FL 32399-3255
Telephone: (850) 488-0595
Fax: (850) 414-6860.

Potential Earnings
Physical Therapist Assistant salaries range from $33,000-$55,000 depending on the region and/or type of setting.

Program Director
Dr. Nelson Marquez, PT, Ed.D.
Program Director
Polk State College
999 Avenue H NE
Winter Haven, FL 33881-4299
Office: WLR 219C
Telephone: (863) 669-2904
Fax: (863) 297-1047
Email: nmarquez@polk.edu