Physical Therapist Assistant

Physical Therapist Assistant Program Overview

As America's population continues to age, there will be an increased demand for physical therapy services that help people regain movement and function. With that kind of opportunity out there, it makes sense to choose a Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) program with a great reputation: 

• Learn from industry experts who currently maintain clinical practice and research in physical therapy. 
• Gain 720 hours of hands-on experience with clinical affiliations at renowned hospitals and sports medicine practices. 
• Complete a 2-year service learning project and give back to your local community. 
• Make valuable network connections that will help you in your future career. The PTA Special Interest Group (SIG) of the American Physical Therapist Association of Massachusetts (APTA of MA) is the first organization of its kind in Massachusetts and founded by Bay State College alumni and professors! 
• Prepare for your licensure board exam. 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! 

Set your Physical Therapy career in motion. Request information about our 2-year Physical Therapist Assistant program today! Interested in taking classes closer to home? Learn more about our Taunton location which offers our PTA program during the day.

Available In 

Physical Therapist Assistant Day Classes 

Discover a diverse but close-knit community of students, faculty and staff at our Boston campus, located in the historic Back Bay neighborhood. 

• Duration: 4 semesters + Summer Session 
• Semester Length: 16 weeks 
• Program Length: 2 years
• Start Dates:
  
  • Spring 2020: Monday, January 13, 2020 *Taunton location only
  • Fall 2020: Monday, August 31, 2020  *Boston location only

• Application Deadline: Rolling Admissions 

Sample Physical Therapist Assistant Degree Courses 

• Introduction to Physical Therapy 

To browse our 2018-19 Course Catalog with course descriptions, click here. 

Physical Therapist Assistant Program Mission 

The mission of the Bay State College Physical Therapist Assistant Program is to provide a comprehensive, high quality academic and clinical education leading to the Associate of Science degree in Physical Therapist Assistant. The program strives to prepare individuals to become licensed Physical Therapist Assistants who, under the direction and supervision of licensed Physical Therapists, are able to provide high quality patient care across all patient populations and settings within the continuum of care. The program promotes a commitment to excellence, emphasizes professionalism and ethical behavior, stresses the importance of life-long learning, and values community service, in an effort to cultivate health care professionals who are vital members of the health care team and the larger community. 

Physical Therapist Assistant Program Goals 

• The PTA Program faculty will provide students with a curriculum based on contemporary physical therapy practice and an atmosphere of a positive learning environment.    
• The PTA Program will produce clinically competent graduates who are able to work as an entry-level physical therapist assistant under the direction and supervision of a physical therapist. 
•  The PTA Program will provide a comprehensive and high quality curriculum enabling students to pass the national PTA exam. 
• The PTA Program will produce culturally competent graduates who demonstrate safe, ethical and professional behavior.  
• The PTA Program will promote the importance of the continuation of personal and professional development through community service, life-long learning opportunities and membership in professional organizations.

Employers of Our PTA Graduates 

• Boston Medical Center 
• Back in Motion 
• Beantown Physio 
• Tufts Medical Center 
• Elite Health and Fitness Center 
• Brockton Hospital 
• Genesis Rehabilitation 
• Spaulding Rehabilitation 
• Hebrew Rehabilitation 

Physical Therapist Assistant Degree Accreditation

The Physical Therapist Assistant program at Bay State College is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education:

CAPTE
1111 North Fairfax Street 
Alexandria, Virginia 22314 
Telephone: 703-706-3245 
Email: accreditation@apta.org 
Website: www.capteonline.org

Student Outcomes

Graduation Year	Graduation Rate	Licensure Pass Rate	Employment Rate**
2013	79%	100%	100%
2014	96%	100%	100%
2015	79%	100%	93%
2016	72%	100%	94.4%
2017	77%	96.2%	91.3%
2018	73%	100%	94.7%

*Percentage of candidates in graduating class who took the exam and passed.

Admissions Information

Class of 2016: 217 applicants with 99 students meeting program admission criteria, 58 matriculated

Class of 2017: 149 applicants with 76 students meeting program admission criteria, 38 matriculated

Class of 2018: 199 applicants with 56 students meeting program admission criteria, 30 matriculated

Class of 2019: 163 applicants with 52 students meeting program admission criteria, 26 matriculated

Resources 

• American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) 
• American Physical Therapy Association of Massachusetts (APTA of MA) 
• The Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT)