Special Admission Requirements - Program Application Deadline: April 30*

Official Title of Major: Physical Therapist Assistant, A.A.S.

Award: Associate of Applied Science degree, A.A.S.

Code: AAS.PTA.PTA

Total Credit Hours: A minimum of 70

Learn more about the Physical Therapist Assistant Degree program

Purpose: Prepares students to provide physical therapy services according to the plan of care developed by the physical therapist. The physical therapist assistant (PTA) administers direct patient care; teaches patients, families and other health care providers how to perform selected interventions; and provides desired psychosocial support to patients and their families. Physical therapist assistants are employed primarily in hospitals, rehabilitation centers, private practice, extended-care facilities and home health care settings. Graduates are eligible to take the National Licensing Examination for Physical Therapist Assistants. The CACHE Physical Therapist Assistant program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), 3030 Potomac Avenue, Suite 100, Alexandria, Virginia 22305-3085; telephone: 703-706-3245; email: accreditation@apta.org; website www.capteonline.org.

The Physical Therapist Assistant program is administered by the Chesapeake Area Consortium for Higher Education (CACHE). Members of the consortium include Anne Arundel, Chesapeake College and the College of Southern Maryland. Students will complete their professional training at Anne Arundel Community College and their clinical practice rotations at local service areas when possible. Distance learning will be used as appropriate.

The CACHE Physical Therapist Assistant program meets the state educational requirements for licensure or certification in all states, the District of Colombia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands based on the program’s accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education.  For more information regarding state qualifications and licensure requirements, refer to the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy website at www.fsbpt.org.

Additional Program Requirements

A grade of C or better in each physical therapist assistant and general education course is required to progress in the program. Students are expected to practice selected procedures on each other in the college laboratory.

Special Conditions

Health Manpower Shortage: This program of study may be designated a Health Manpower Shortage Tuition Reduction Program. This means that some residents of Maryland (see the Tuition, Fees and Payments  section of this catalog) enrolled in this program of study by the first day of the term may be eligible for in-county tuition rates for courses required for program completion. It is the student’s responsibility to confirm that this program still maintains a Health Manpower Shortage Program status before enrolling. Please refer to the college’s Accounts Receivable Office to confirm this designation.

*If application deadline falls on a weekend, then applications will be accepted until the close of business on the next business day.

Faculty Contact (https://webapps.aacc.edu/directory/): Patricia Brady

Courses to improve skills and prepare for college-level classes may be needed. It is best to see an advisor as you plan your education.

Course/Advising Notes: ________________________________________________________________________

(*) Students must be admitted to the Physical Therapist Assistant major to take PTA courses.