Program - Physical Therapist Assistant

Print this page

Secondary Navigation

Physical Therapist Assistant

Program Information

The Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Physical Therapist Assistant degree program prepares students for employment as a Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA), a health-care provider who, with the guidance of a physical therapist, performs a wide variety of functions as part of the health-care team. This field has been expanding in recent years and the employment outlook continues to be good in hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, home care, and outpatient facilities. In addition to class work in psychology, medical terminology, neuroanatomy and physiology, instrumentation and kinesiology for physical therapy, and advanced physical therapy techniques, students gain “hands-on” experience through clinical practice at area health-care facilities. The Physical Therapist Assistant program at Anoka-Ramsey Community College is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE).

Developmental Courses

Some students may need preparatory courses in the areas of English, mathematics or reading. Courses numbered below 1000 will not apply toward this degree.

  • The Physical Therapist Assistant program at Anoka-Ramsey Community College is accredited by CAPTE. 

    If needing to contact the program or institution directly, please call Lisa Lentner at 763-433-1293 or email Lisa.Lentner@anokaramsey.edu.

    The Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE)
    1111 North Fairfax Street
    Alexandria, Virginia 22314
    703-706-3245
    accreditation@apta.org
    capteonline.org

  • By completing this program, students will achieve the following learning goals:

    1. Demonstrate competent written and electronic documentation skills, and oral communication skills.
    2. Perform all treatment procedures skillfully and safely, including modalities, massage, manual skills, gait training, and data collection for the physical therapist to use for assessment purposes.
    3. Demonstrate knowledge of the normal structure and function of the human body and understand the physiological and psychological effects of disease and injury.
    4. Demonstrate understanding of his/her professional role as a PTA and demonstrate awareness of ethical behavior, legal responsibility, and the PT/PTA professional relationship.
    5. Recognize and appreciate diversity within society and the health care profession.
    6. Successfully pass the PTA licensure exam and begin practice as an entry-level physical therapist assistant.

  • To apply for admission to the Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) program, submit the Application for Physical Therapist Assistant program to the Records and Registration Office between February 1 and February 28 for the following fall. Application materials are available online. All PTA Program requirements are offered at the Coon Rapids Campus.

    PTA Information Packet

    • A minimum of 69 semester credits in courses numbered 1000 or above.
    • A minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 in courses numbered 1000 or above at ARCC.
    • Satisfy residency requirements.
    • A minimum grade of C in all program requirements and general education courses and a grade of “Pass” in clinical practices must be earned.
    • All program requirements must be completed at ARCC.
    • Completion of specific degree requirements.
    • To receive your diploma, you must apply to graduate.
    • The requirements of this program are subject to change without notice.

    NOTE: You are encouraged to contact an academic advisor at 763-433-1230 for course planning assistance and information about transfer credit evaluation and transfer options.

    PROGRAM NOTE: Students who fail to meet the sequence requirements, prerequisites, and academic achievement levels will be dropped from the program.

  •  47 credits
    The PTA Program Core course requirements are only offered at the Coon Rapids Campus.
    BIOL 1102 Medical Terminology 2
    PTAC 1010* Clinical Practice I 3
    PTAC 1020* Musculoskeletal Anatomy and Kinesiology for the PTA 4
    PTAC 1030* Introduction to Physical Therapist Assistant Theory 2
    PTAC 1040* Introduction to Physical Therapist Assistant Lab 2
    PTAC 1050* Modalities and Massage Theory 3
    PTAC 1060* Modalities and Massage Lab 3
    PTAC 1070* Therapeutic Exercise Theory 2
    PTAC 1080* Therapeutic Exercise Lab 3
    PTAC 1100* Communication and Documentation for the Physical Therapy Assistant I 1
    PTAC 1110* Communication and Documentation for the Physical Therapy Assistant II 1
    PTAC 2000* Musculoskeletal Disorders 3
    PTAC 2010* Neuroanatomy and Functional Rehabilitation Theory 3
    PTAC 2015* Neuroanatomy and Functional Rehabilitation Lab 2
    PTAC 2020* Clinical Practice II 3
    PTAC 2040* Special Topics I 3
    PTAC 2050* Special Topics II 4
    PTAC 2060* Clinical Practice II** 3
    *Course has prerequisite - see course schedule or catalog description.
    ** Students must complete all General Education requirements prior to or during enrollment in PTAC 2060.

  • 22 credits
    Complete at least 22 credits in courses from the Minnesota Transfer Curriculum (MnTC) including the following:
    BIOL 2113* Human Anatomy and Physiology I** 4
    BIOL 2114*  Human Anatomy and Physiology II** 4
    CMST 1110
    OR CMST 2215
    OR CMST 2220    		 Introduction to Communication
    OR Public Speaking
    OR Interpersonal Communication    		 3
    ENGL 1120* OR ENGL 1121* Cross-Current College Writing and Critical Reading
    OR College Writing and Critical Reading    		 4
    PSYC 1110 General Psychology 4
    Humanities/Fine Arts Elective (Goal Area 6)  3
    *Course has prerequisite - see course schedule or catalog description.
    ** BIOL 2113 and 2114 must be completed no more than seven years prior to admission and must be completed prior to PTAC 1010 Clinical Practice I.

  • 4 credits
    PTAC 2110* Physical Therapy Research I 1
    PTAC 2120* Physical Therapy Research II 1
    PTAC 2130* PTA Clinic 1
    PTAC 2170* Physical Therapy Seminars 1
    * Course has prerequisite - see course schedule or catalog description.

  • In 2016, the graduation rate for the Anoka-Ramsey PTA Program was 90.6%. In 2017, it was 93.8% and in 2018 it was 66% for a three-year average of 93.5%.

    Our graduates have been very successful on the PTA National licensing exam (NPTE). In 2016, our program's first time and ultimate pass rate are 96.3%. In 2017, the first time and ultimate pass rates were 93.3%. In 2018, the first time pass rate was 88.2% and the ultimate pass rate was 94.1%. A total of 74 graduates from those three cohorts have taken the exam. The mean scores have improved almost every year since 2008 and for 2016 the mean score was 700.2, 2017 mean score was 684.9 and in 2018 683.3. A score of 600 is required to pass the licensing exam. According to the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT) reports, Anoka-Ramsey PTA graduates scored above the national mean scale score in all content areas of the licensing exam except cardiovascular/pulmonary and lymphatic systems.

    For the graduating class of 2016, 89% of those who graduated and sought employment in physical therapy (full-time or part-time) were employed within one year following graduation. For the graduating class of 2017, 97% of those seeking employment as a PTA were employed within one year after graduation. In 2018, 100% of graduates seeking employment are now working as a PTA.

  • View the Online Information Session (Double Click to Enlarge):

    • Licensed Physical Therapist Assistant

Supplementary Information

Meet Our Students and Alumni

Student Carousel

Carousel Navigation
Carousel Slides
  1. Meet Tina Klaysmat
    Tina Klaysmat
    Allied Health & Nursing
    AS Exercise Science

    “I chose ARCC because it is close to home, affordable, and they have a lot to offer in terms of classes and Transfer Pathways.”

  2. Meet Logan Douglas
    Logan Douglas
    Arts & Communication
    AFA Theatre

    “I think the best aspect of Anoka-Ramsey is the people. Everyone here, staff and students alike, feels super down to earth, and I'm never too scared or nervous to engage in conversation with them… We all help each other with our problems and I think that's one of my biggest reasons I'm glad I came here.”

  3. Meet Madison Rowe
    Madison Rowe
    Information Systems
    AS Computer Science

    “I was nervous about my decision to come to Anoka-Ramsey because of the stigma of community colleges, but it was the right decision for me.”

Carousel Pagination
See more stories