Physical Therapist Assistant

Summer 2026

Enrollment:

Fall (application due winter quarter prior)

Degrees and Certificates

Program Website:

View the program website

Program Description

SFCC offers a two-year program which includes study in anatomy and physiology, social science, technical physical therapy courses and practical clinical experience in area health care facilities affiliated with the college. The program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA). The technical courses for the Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) program are not designed to transfer to four-year schools.

Physical therapist assistants duties include: a) designing exercise programs and treatments that are within the plan of care proposed by the physical therapist b) training patients to use special equipment that will make life easier; c) applying equipment such as electrical stimulation and ultrasound which decrease pain and increase functions; and d) keeping records and reporting to the physical therapist on the patient's progress.

Physical therapist assistants work with all ages and are employed in a wide variety of settings, including hospitals, rehabilitation centers, pediatric facilities or school systems, private physical therapy clinics, home health care agencies, and extended care facilities. A national licensing examination is required for most states in order to practice as a physical therapist assistant.

Each successful PTA applicant may be required to complete a background check, drug testing and submit proof of immunization. Clinical facilities may deny access to a student for any of the following: While entrance to the PTA Program may not be denied because of such a rating, without access to the clinical facilities a student may not be able to satisfactorily complete the PTA program and will be so advised.

Essential requirements needed for the profession which include communication skills, cognitive demands, physical skills and behavioral, social and professional skills are discussed in greater detail in the Program Information Booklet located on our website.

The PTA program incorporates a selective process for admission. This process uses a point system based on coursework and experience as outlined in the application. Please be aware that the completion of all prerequisites does not ensure admission to the program.

Program Learning Outcomes

  1. Demonstrate competent data collection techniques to measure patient progress within the plan of care.
  2. Implement safe physical therapy interventions using appropriate problem-solving skills to progress a patient or modify interventions within the plan of care.
  3. Analyze common medical, pharmacological, and surgical interventions and their effects on the rehabilitation process for patients seen across the lifespan.

 “Adapted from http://www.apta.org/PTACPI, with permission of the American Physical Therapy Association.  Copyright ©2008 American Physical Therapy Association.  All rights reserved.”