SPC'S PHYSICAL THERAPIST ASSISTANT A.S. DEGREE PREPARES YOU FOR A NEW HEALTH CAREER
Ready to start a new, hands-on career as a Physical Therapist Assistant? SPC's Physical Therapist Assistant A.S. Degree will prepare you to pass the national licensing exam through the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy.
Opportunities: Assisted living facilities, General and rehabilitation hospitals, Higher education centers, Home health agencies, Orthopedic/sports rehabilitation clinics, Pediatric health centers, Public schools, Rehabilitation equipment companies, Skilled nursing facilities.
This academic program prepares you for the following careers. All job data is provided by the U.S. Department of Labor.
Physical Therapist Assistants
Salary Data
Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL Metro Area Average
Florida Average
Projected employment for Florida
2020 Employment
6,580
2030
8,490
Percent Change
29
Projected Job Openings
1130
FEATURES of SPC's Physical Therapist Assistant A.S. Degree program
- Provides lecture and clinical lab classes as part of your learning experience
- Prepares you for quick entry into your career
- Is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education of the American Physical Therapy Association
- Puts you in a health care setting under the close supervision of a physical therapist or physical therapist assistant for clinical courses
WHAT YOU WILL LEARN in the Physical Therapist Assistant A.S. Degree at SPC
- Diseases and problems commonly treated in physical therapy
- The basics of therapies used, including therapeutic exercise, functional training and soft tissue massage
- Legal and ethical responsibilities
- Industry standards and safety regulations
Physical Therapist Assistant Associate in Science
printPTA-AS
Effective Beginning Catalog Term: Spring 2016 (510)
The requirements shown below are valid beginning Spring 2016 (510), and may not reflect degree requirements for current students. Current students should visit My SPC and view My Learning Plan to see specific degree requirements for their effective term.
Program Leadership Information
Dr. Kory Thomas
Program Director
(727) 341-3612
thomas.kory@spcollege.edu
Program Summary
Transferable to a Bachelor's degree in Health Services Administration at SPC.
This program begins every August. All Physical Therapist Assistant courses (PHT course prefix) are offered only at the Health Education Center at 7200 66th St. N., Pinellas Park.
Due to the time-intensive nature of the PTA program courses, it is highly recommended that students complete as many of the general education and support courses as possible prior to entry into the program. Candidates will also complete the Health Programs Application. It is recommended that all students applying to the PTA program see a counselor or advisor at the Health Education Center.
The Academic Pathway is a tool for students that lists the following items:
o the recommended order in which to take the program courses
o suggested course when more than one option exists
o which semester each course is typically offered
o if the course has a prerequisite
o courses that may lead to a certificate (if offered in the program)
If you are starting the program this term, click here to access the recommended Academic Pathway.
If you have already started the program, click here for the archived Academic Pathways.
Please verify the Academic Pathway lists your correct starting semester.
Florida CIP Code
1351080601:
Federal CIP Code
51.0806: Physical Therapy Technician/Assistant.
Admission Rules
Please review the Physical Therapist Assistant A.S. Admission Guide.
The Admission Guide will outline the admission criteria specific to the Physical Therapist Assistant A.S. program as well as explain the timetable for evaluation and further admission correspondence. Please review this information carefully to ensure you submit a complete application at the appropriate time. Only students who satisfy all the application requirements and submit a complete application in accordance with the information detailed in the Admission Guide will be considered for admission.
Students must be currently enrolled in or have completed the following courses with grades of "C" or better:
BSC 2085 HUMAN ANATOMY & PHYSIOLOGY I (3 credits)
BSC 2085L HUMAN ANATOMY & PHYSIOLOGY LABORATORY I (1 credit)
PHI 1600 - ETHICS or (Honors) (3 credits)
HSC 1531 MEDICAL TERMINOLOGY I (2 credits)
Computer/Information Literacy Competency Requirement
Grade of "C" or higher required for BSC 2085/L in order to progress to the first term of the PTA Program.
Applicants must also complete 24 hours of observation in two different physical therapy settings (inpatient and outpatient).
Cohorts are admitted in the fall with applications accepted from March 1 - May 15 .
All Physical Therapist Assistant courses (PHT) are taken at the Health Education Center, 7200 66th St. N, Pinellas Park, FL.
Due to the time-intensive nature of the PTA Program courses, it is highly recommended that you complete as many of the general education and support courses as possible before entering the program.
Graduation Rules
Grade of "C" or better required in all courses.
Successful completion (78%) of a comprehensive program exam given at the end of the second year.
Completion grade of comprehensive exam changed from 75% to 78% per Richard Flora (2/12/2016).
AS GENERAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS
Communications - Composition
AS GENERAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS
Communications - Speech
AS GENERAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS
Humanities and Fine Arts
AS GENERAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS
Mathematics
AS GENERAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS
Enhanced World View
SUPPORT COURSES
Ethics (Complete 3 credits)
SUPPORT COURSES
Psychology (Select 3 credits)
SUPPORT COURSES
Anatomy and Physiology (Complete 8 credits)
SUPPORT COURSES
Computer and Information Literacy Requirement (Complete 1 course)
SUPPORT COURSES
Complete 5 credits
MAJOR CORE COURSES
1st Term in Program
MAJOR CORE COURSES
2nd Term in Program
MAJOR CORE COURSES
3rd Term in Program
MAJOR CORE COURSES
4th Term in Program
MAJOR CORE COURSES
5th Term in Program
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
- Students accepted into the program will be required to successfully pass a background check and drug screening.
- Liability and clinical accidental insurance must be obtained through the college for a fee.
- Students admitted to this program must have a physical examination by a licensed physician or an advanced RN practitioner verifying satisfactory health status prior to entrance into the first session of the program. This must include all immunizations, tests, and health verifications tests, and health verifications as specified within contractual agreements with affiliating agencies. This may be required on an annual basis at the discretion of the program director.
- Program requirements are subject to change. Students should check with a counselor, advisor or the program director.
- Students transferring from another Physical Therapist Assistant or other health-related program must be in good standing in such program. Exceptions will be handled by the Provost's Office at the Health Education Center.
- Complaints generated from the community that fall outside of the college's due process may be reported to either PTA Program Director Dr. Kory Thomas, PT, DPT. or Dean of Health Programs Deanna Stentiford.
RESOURCES
- American Physical Therapy Association
- Florida Physical Therapy Association
- Florida Board of Physical Therapy Practice
- Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy
PROGRAM OUTCOMES
- Graduation rate of last two graduating classes: 80.9% (2021-2020)
- Graduation rates are calculated by the program based on the percentage of students who matriculated in the first technical course in the program after the add/drop period and who completed the program.
- Performance on licensure exam: Overall ultimate passing rate of last two graduating classes: 94.5% (2021-2020); 2021 percentage reflects the number of students who have attempted the exam at this time. First time pass rate of last three graduating classes: 85.2% (2021), 96.2% (2020); 96.6% (2019).
- Licensure examination pass rates are based on results received from the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT).
- Employment rate of last two graduating classes: 93.75% (2020-2019); 2021: No data at this time.
- Employment rates are based on self-reported data received from graduates, as well as supplemental data gathered by the program staff.
Program Accreditation
The Physical Therapist Assistant program at St. Petersburg 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 727-341-3612 or email thomas.kory@spcollege.edu.
CONTINUE YOUR EDUCATION at SPC
This Physical Therapist Assistant A.S. Degree prepares you for the national licensing exam and transfers to our Health Services Administration B.A.S. degree.
HEALTH CONTINUING EDUCATION
SPC also offers health continuing education through the Workforce Institute.
Program Admission Guides
Please review the program admission guide to ensure your eligibility prior to applying below.
- Physical Therapist Assistant A.S. Admission Guide
- Essential Student Functions
- Students accepted into the program will be required to successfully pass a background check and drug screening.
Begin program Application
Please answer the following questions to apply to our Physical Therapist Assistant A.S. Degree program.
I am
New student at SPC
Returning to SPC
Official Transcripts
Official transcripts must be posted and evaluated by the application deadline.
Cumulative GPA
College level Reading, Writing, and Math
Minimum of a 2.50 GPA on a 4.00 scale
Computer Information Literacy Competency
Program Admission Questions
Observation Hours Required
In order to be admitted to the Physical Therapist Assistant program, you must complete a minimum of 24 hours of observation, volunteer service, or work experience in a physical therapy department verified by a Physical Therapist or a Physical Therapist Assistant. The hours must be completed in at least two different types of settings: inpatient and outpatient.
Required Admissions Interview in June
If qualified, you will be required to attend an admissions interview for the program in June.
Minimum 3.5 GPA in Pre-Entry Courses
Due to the high volume of applications for this limited access program, you must have a 3.5 GPA on a 4.0 scale in the following pre-entry courses to progress to the interview stage of the application process:
- BSC 2085 & 2085L – Human Anatomy and Physiology 1 and Lab
- PHI 1600 – Applied Ethics
- HSC 1531 – Medical Terminology
SPC Application
You will need to complete the SPC Application and pay the non-refundable fee.
Readmission Steps
You will need to complete the readmission steps.
Official Transcripts Required
Please submit official, unopened (sealed) high school transcripts or GED transcripts as well as those from all regionally-accredited college(s) and universities currently or previously attended. If you completed an A.A.S. degree or higher at a regionally-accredited institution, we won't need your high school transcripts. Learn more about transcripts.
Cumulative GPA Requirement
You will need a cumulative GPA of 2.00 on a 4.00 scale in all postsecondary coursework for admission. Please review the admission guide and reach out to your academic advisor.
College Level Reading, Writing, and Math Requirement
This health program requires students to be at college level in Reading, Writing, and Math. Please see your academic advisor for additional details.
Program Admission Requirements
Please review the curriculum for approved options that meet this requirement.
Program Admission Requirements
Please review the admission guide for Pre-Entry requirements.
Program Admission Requirements
Students must maintain a 2.5 GPA for the Pre-Entry, General Education and Support Courses of the Respiratory Care Curriculum. If you are unsure of your GPA, please review the admission guide for pre-entry requirements and contact your academic advisor.
Continue Health Programs Application
You can now continue the Health Programs Application.
Application Windows
| Term | Applications Accepted | Application Review | Student Notified By MySPC e-mail |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall: August | March 1 – May 15 | May 16 – June 30 | **Please see below** |