Program Information
Are you patient, compassionate, and persevering? These are the qualities that can help you become a physical therapist assistant (PTA). As a PTA, you will work under the direction and supervision of physical therapists in a variety of settings, providing services for patients that help decrease their pain, improve their mobility, restore function, and minimize disabilities.
The San Jacinto College physical therapist assistant program:
- Is a total of 66 credit hours, including three clinical affiliations, and the student is awarded an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree upon completion of the program. Successful completion of the program in two years prepares graduates for the national licensing exam for physical therapist assistants; and
- Trains students to help patients to regain strength, range of motion, function, and movement.
Additional Information
San Jacinto College boasts a 100 percent pass rate on the national licensing exam in the graduating cohorts of 2019, and from 2009-2016. Graduates have a high employment rate within six months of passing the licensing exam.
The PTA program at San Jacinto College is accredited by the:
Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education
1111 North Fairfax St.
Alexandria, VA 22314-1488
telephone: (703) 706-3245)
email: accreditation@apta.org
website: www.capteonline.org.
Career Opportunities
Employment of PTAs is expected to be good to care for and manage patients, especially the elderly population. Job prospects will also be more favorable in rural areas. (BLS.gov, 2019).
PTAs work under the supervision of physical therapists in a variety of settings including, but not limited to:
- Acute care,
- Hospitals,
- Rehab hospitals,
- Out-patient clinics,
- Aquatics,
- Pediatrics,
- Geriatrics, and
- Home health.
Earning Potential
Physical Therapist Assistant median salary: $72,8421 per year
| 1 | Source: texaswages.com, Gulf Coast region, 2018 |
For more information, students may contact 281-998-6150, x3350 or email PTAprogram@sjcd.edu.
Campus
South Campus
Accreditation Information
The PTA program at San Jacinto College is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education
1111 North Fairfax St.
Alexandria, VA 22314-1488
Telephone: (703) 706-3245)
Email: accreditation@apta.org
Website: www.capteonline.org
If needing to contact the program/institution directly, please call 281-998-6150 X3350 or email PTAprogram@sjcd.edu
Prerequisites (Minimum grade "C" for each)
| BIOL 2301/2101 or 2401 | Human Anatomy & Physiology I* | 4 Credit Hours |
| BIOL 2302/2102 or 2402 | Human Anatomy & Physiology II* | 4 Credit Hours |
| ENGL 1301 | Composition I | 3 Credit Hours |
| MATH 1314 | College Algebra | 3 Credit Hours |
| Total Credit Hours | 14 Credit Hours |
*Lifetime course attempt maximum for Human Anatomy & Physiology I & II is 3
Links and Documents
Alternative to Observational Experience Worksheet
Cost
The cost of the PTA program is the standard published San Jacinto College tuition with additional fees for labs, insurance, background check, drug screen, immunizations, CPR certification, and additional travel expenses for clinical rotations. Uniforms may need to be purchased for some clinical rotations.
Program Outcomes
Class Year First Time Pass Rate Ultimate Pass Rate
2019 94.0% 100%
2018 95.5% 95.5%
2017 90.9% 95.5%
Class Year Graduation Rate Employment Rate
2019 75% In Progress
2018 91.7% 86%
2017 91.3% 100%
Information Sessions
Information sessions will be held on a regular basis online as a Zoom conference. Registration is not required. The sessions will cover topics such as PT as a profession, career potential, program requirements and general information.
Information Session Dates:
| Date | Time | Zoom Meeting Link |
|
TBA |
TBA | TBA |
