Physical Therapist Assistant
Program Details
Cost & Financial Aid
Education is a major investment, but it’s an investment in your future. Every student comes to Carrington with unique financial needs. Carrington College is committed to helping you achieve your education goals. We participate in most financial assistance programs, both federal and state, as well as private financing. Each program has different requirements and application instructions. Student loans, grants, and scholarships are available to those who qualify.
For complete information on current tuition costs, please see page 236 of the Academic Catalog.
Location Availability
Accreditation & Approvals
Carrington College is accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges, 428 J Street, Suite 400, Sacramento, CA 95814; 415 506 0234 an institutional accrediting body recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation and the U.S. Department of Education. Additional information about accreditation, including the filing of complaints against member institutions, can be found at www.accjc.org/.
For comprehensive information on Carrington’s accreditation and approvals, visit carrington.edu/accreditation.
The Physical Therapist Assistant programs at the Las Vegas and Pleasant Hill campuses are accredited by the: Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), 3030 Potomac Ave., Suite 100, Alexandria, VA 22305-3085; telephone: 800 999 2782; email: accreditation@apta.org; website: www.capteonline.org. If needing to contact the program/institution directly, please contact the program director at each campus location: Las Vegas – William Dent 559 515 4957 or William.Dent@carrington.edu, Pleasant Hill – Natalie Bates 925 405 0622 or Natalie.Bates@carrington.edu.
Course Catalog
Program Specific Disclosures
Continuing Education For Graduates
Student Outcomes
Below is the Physical Therapist Assistant program outcome information for each location. The outcomes are graduation rate, first time licensure exam pass rate, ultimate licensure exam pass rate, and employment rate, all averaged over the most recent two years (2021-2022).
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Program Location
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Graduation Rate
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First Time Licensure
Exam Pass Rate
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Ultimate Licensure
Exam Pass Rate
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Employment Rate
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Las Vegas
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90.38%
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62.79%
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83.72%
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100%
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Pleasant Hill
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97.72%
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66.67%
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90.48%
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94.12%
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Discover What It’s Like to Train to Become a Physical Therapist Assistant at Carrington College
Career Opportunities
Physical therapist assistants are essential to the direct care of patients while physical therapist aides usually help with indirect care such as setting up a treatment area.1
Physical therapist assistants typically do the following:1
- Observe patients before, during, and after therapy, noting their status and reporting it to a physical therapist
- Help patients do specific exercises as part of the plan of care
- Treat patients using a variety of techniques, such as massage and stretching
- Use devices and equipment, such as walkers, to help patients
- Educate patients and family members about what to do after treatment
What Will I Learn?
Anatomy & Physiology
Clinical Kinesiology
Clinical Applications
Check out our guide on becoming a Physical Therapist Assistant.
Physical therapist assistants offer help and support to physical therapists in the care and treatment of individuals seeking greater mobility due to injury or illness. Under the direction and supervision of physical therapists, physical therapist assistants treat patients through exercise, massage, gait and balance training, and other therapeutic interventions. They record patients’ progress and report the results of each treatment to the physical therapist. If you’re interested in learning more, check out our career guide.
Physical Therapist Assistant FAQ
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What does a physical therapist assistant do?
Physical therapist assistants sometimes referred to as PTAs, work under the supervision of physical therapists to help patients regain movement and manage pain resulting from an injury or illness. A PTA works directly with patients to help them complete exercises and therapies.1
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How long does it take to become a physical therapist assistant?
Carrington College’s Physical Therapist Assistant associate degree program can be completed in as few as 19 months.2
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What do you need to be a physical therapist assistant?
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, all states require physical therapist assistants to have an associate degree from a program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education and to be licensed or certified.2 Licensure typically involves passing the National Physical Therapy Exam for physical therapist assistants. Some states require that applicants pass an exam on the state’s laws regulating the practice of physical therapist assistants.
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What degree do you need to be a physical therapist assistant?
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, all states require physical therapist assistants to have an associate degree from a program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education.2
Sources:
*Carrington College prepares students to take appropriate certification and licensure exams related to their individual majors. The College does not guarantee students will successfully pass these exams or be certified or licensed as a result of completing the program. To work as a physical therapist assistant in California, graduates must also pass the California Law Examination (CLE), which relates to the practice of physical therapy.