What education do you need to be a physical therapist assistant?

Education and scope of responsibilities are the primary factors that separate the two jobs. Physical therapist assistants have completed an accredited college degree program and passed the required national licensure exam, while physical therapy aides are only required to have a high school diploma or GED.

How long does it take to become a physical therapist assistant?

All states require PTAs to have an Associate’s degree from an accredited program, according to the BLS. Earning a degree may sound daunting, but some PTA training can be completed in as few as 18 months. This formal education consists of courses, lab work and clinical training.

Is PTA School Hard?

A PTA program requires intense and effective study, both in terms of mastering academic information and in terms of being able to understand and follow instructions given by the instructor, especially when the student is carrying out work in a clinical setting.

Is it better to be a PTA or PT?

PTs are mainly concerned with diagnosing patients and developing a rehabilitation program that is tailored to the patient’s prognosis. PTAs on the other hand have more focus on preparing patients to be diagnosed and assisting in executing the rehabilitation plan.

What is the difference between PTA and PT?

PT = physical therapist and PTA = physical therapist assistant. The biggest difference between PTs and PTAs in the outpatient setting is that a PTA cannot do the initial evaluation or the set up the plan of care.

Is PTA a bachelor degree?

The bachelor degree in PTA can be an end in itself, allowing the PTA to gain additional depth of knowledge and skills that will help them in their role as a PTA in any setting, as well as management and leadership opportunities. The second path is to the Doctorate in Physical Therapy Degree.

What are the best PTA schools?

20 Best PTA Programs in the U.S.

School Name	Address	Reviews
Texas Woman’s University	304 Administration Dr, Denton, TX	4
California State University, Long Beach	1250 Bellflower Blvd, Long Beach, CA	4.4
New York Institute of Technology	1855 Broadway, New York, NY	4.2
University of Maryland	8082 Baltimore Ave, College Park, MD	4.5

Are PTA jobs in demand?

In California, the number of Physical Therapist Assistants is expected to grow much faster than average growth rate for all occupations. Jobs for Physical Therapist Assistants are expected to increase by 30.8 percent, or 1,600 jobs between 2016 and 2026.

What do I major in to be a physical therapist?

While there are no specific undergraduate majors required, many physical therapists get their start with a degree in biology, physics, psychology, healthcare, chemistry, kinesiology, or exercise science.

What schools offer physical therapy assistant degrees?

10 Schools with Physical Therapy Assistant Programs

College/University	Location	Institution Type
Miami Dade College	Miami, FL	4-year, Public
LaGuardia Community College	Long Island, NY	2-year, public
College of Southern Nevada	Las Vegas, NV	4-year, Public
University of Cincinnati – Main Campus	Cincinnati, OH	4-year, Public