Physical Therapist Assistant PTA.S.AAS
Associate of Applied Science - 65 Credit Hours
Division: Health Sciences
Department: Rehabilitation Services
Effective as of Fall 2025
Why study to become a Physical Therapist Assistant?
Physical therapist assistants, under the direction and supervision of a licensed physical therapist, assist patients in a wide variety of therapeutic and rehabilitative procedures. Physical therapist assistants may provide health care services in a variety of settings, including outpatient clinics, hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, and schools.
This area of study might be for you if:
- You would like to work in a healthcare profession focused on movement, function, and rehabilitation.
- You are a person who enjoys meeting and helping other people.
- You enjoy working with a diverse population and performing a variety of tasks.
- You want to gain new skills that are in demand across the country.
- Still not sure? We recommend reading more about PTAs: Becoming a PTA
What is the program about?
The Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) program prepares students to provide physical therapy services under the direction and supervision of a physical therapist. The curriculum is divided among general education and technical courses, and includes classroom, laboratory, and clinical education experiences. Upon completion of the PTA program curriculum, the student is awarded the Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree. Graduates of the program are eligible to take the National Physical Therapy Examination for Physical Therapist Assistants (NPTE-PTA) for licensure. The PTA program is designed to be completed in five (5) semesters on a full-time basis. The degree program consists of open enrollment courses (prerequisites and general education) and program specific technical courses with limited enrollment. The open enrollment courses may be taken prior to entry into the program technical courses. The PTA program enrolls students through two different pathways, a general admissions pathway and an Accelerated Admission for Academic Achievement (AAAA). Details on admissions eligibility and processes can be found online in the PTA Program Information Packet. The mission of the PTA program is to provide high quality education to students seeking the opportunity to practice as a physical therapist assistant under the direction and supervision of a physical therapist.
Program Outcomes
- Student/Graduate Goal: Students/Graduates will demonstrate professionalism. Outcome: Students/Graduates will demonstrate competence in interprofessional collaboration. Outcome: Students/Graduates will demonstrate behaviors consistent with the Professional Behaviors and Core Values for the Physical Therapist and Physical Therapist Assistant.
- Student/Graduate Goal: Students/Graduates will engage in effective communication. Outcome: Students/Graduates will demonstrate effective written, oral, and nonverbal communication and interpersonal interactions.
- Student/Graduate Goal: Students/Graduates will provide high quality patient care under the direction and supervision of a physical therapist. Outcome: Students/Graduates will demonstrate quality, safe patient care. Outcome: Students/Graduates will demonstrate sound critical thinking and problem solving. Outcome: Students/Graduates will demonstrate evidence-based decision-making.
Career Opportunities
Graduates, once licensed by the State of Ohio, work either full- or part-time under the supervision of a physical therapist in a variety of practice environments, such as outpatient clinics, rehabilitation units in hospitals or nursing homes, assisted living, home health or school-based programs.
Transferability
Formal articulation agreements with other colleges and universities indicate how Sinclair programs and courses will transfer to other institutions.
Prerequisites
- BIO 1121 AND ENG 1101 and MAT 1130 AND PHY 1106 AND PHY 1107 and PTA 1000
- and The student must be at least 18 years of age by initiation of PTA technical courses.
- and The student must meet minimum requirements as identified in the PTA Program Information Packet.
Credentials
Education Requirements for Becoming a PTA in the State of Ohio: 1) To work as a PTA in Ohio, an individual must graduate with an associate degree from an accredited PTA program. (2) Graduates must pass a national physical therapy examination for physical therapist assistants approved by the physical therapy section of the Ohio Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, and Athletic Trainers (OTPTAT) Board. (3) Graduates must also pass a jurisprudence examination approved by the physical therapy section of the OTPTAT board on Ohio's laws and rules governing the practice of physical therapy. Physical therapist assistants work under the direction and supervision of a licensed physical therapist.
Additional Information
- PTA Program Specific Information
- PTA Program Information Packet (PDF)
- PTA Student Handbook (PDF)
- PTA Clinical Education
- Health Sciences Applicant Information Packet (PDF)
- PTA Program Mission, Goals, and Outcomes
- PTA Faculty and Staff Listing
- Submit Concerns Here
- Process for Filing a Complaint with CAPTE
Curriculum
Program Accreditation Information
The Physical Therapist Assistant Program at Sinclair Community College is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), 3030 Potomac Ave., Suite 100, Alexandria, Virginia 22305-3085; telephone: 703-706-3245; email: accreditation@apta.org; website: http://www.capteonline.org. If needing to contact the program/institution directly, please call 937-512-5355 or email ptaprogram@sinclair.edu.
