Physical Therapist Assistant Department

physical therapist assistant student

Physical Therapist Assistant Department

The Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) program is a two-year program that prepares students to work under the supervision of a physical therapist as a PTA in a variety of rehabilitation settings. 

Who We Are

The Physical Therapist Assistant Department provides outstanding training for work in a variety of rehab settings. The program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE).

Department Directory
Course Descriptions
Admissions | 763-433-1300
Dean Sandra Kohler | 763-433-1603

Meet Lisa Lentner

Lisa Lentner
Meet Lisa Lentner
Instructor of PTA
Meet Lisa Lentner
Instructor of PTA

Master of Physical Therapy (MPT), College of St. Scholastica; Bachelor of Science (BS) in Physical Science, College of St. Scholastica

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Meet Vinny Morocco

Vinny Morocco
Meet Vinny Morocco
PTA program
Meet Vinny Morocco
PTA program

West Middlesex, PA

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Degrees & Certificates We Offer

Courses offered range from anatomy, medical terminology and advanced physical therapy techniques. Students also gain hands-on clinical experience at three different healthcare facilities.

The department offers one degree:

  • The Physical Therapist Assistant program is located in the Visual Arts Building. The lecture and lab rooms all have internet access, projectors and seating for 32 students.

    The labs have up-to-date therapy equipment including modalities such as ultrasound, electrical stimulation, combination units, spinal traction, and various heating and cooling agents.

    There is also a wide variety of exercise equipment and assistive devices. Students also go to the Health and Wellness Center for specific labs.

  • The types of setting that a PTA can work in under the supervision of a physical therapist are hospitals, outpatient clinics, skilled nursing facilities, home care therapy, and the school system. Areas of specialty in physical therapy are orthopedics, neurological rehab, pediatrics, geriatrics, pool therapy, manual therapy and sports rehabilitation.

  • In 2018, the graduation rate for the Anoka-Ramsey PTA Program was 81.5%, in 2019 it was 96.8% and in 2020 it was 93.3% for a three-year average of 90.5%.

    For the graduating class of 2018, 100% of those who graduated and sought employment in physical therapy (full-time or part-time) were employed within one year following graduation. In 2019 96% of graduates who passed the licensing exam and were seeking employment are now working as a PTA. The job market was affected by the COVID pandemic and about 60% of students looking for employment as a PTA have found a part time or full-time position. The hope is that this will improve in 2021.

    Upon successful completion of the PTA program, graduates must pass the National Physical Therapy Licensing Exam (NPTE).

    Our graduates have been very successful on the PTA National licensing exam (NPTE).

    In 2018 our program's first-time pass rate was 90% and ultimate pass rate was 100%. In 2019 the first-time pass rate was 89.7% and the ultimate pass rate was 100%. In 2020, the first-time pass rate was 100%. A total of 76 graduates from those three cohorts have taken the exam. The mean scores have improved almost every year since 2008 and for  2018 the ultimate mean scale score was 675.1, in 2019 it was 686.7 and in 2020 it was  693.1. A score of 600 is required to pass the licensing exam. As you can see in the data below, students from our PTA Program score high above the national average.

     

    Graduation Years: 2018 - 2020

    Exam Level: PTA

    State: MN

    Date of Report: 11/16/2020

     

     

    Summary Performance for the School by Graduation Year

    Summary Performance for All U.S.-Accredited Candidates by Graduation Year

    Graduation Year

    Group

    Number of Candidates

    Number of Passing Candidates

    Pass Rate

    Mean Scale Score

    Confidence Interval of the Mean

    Pass Rate

    Mean Scale Score

    Standard Deviation Scale Score

    2020

     First Time

    27

    27

    100.0%

    693.1

    11.6

    85.8%

    661.6

    58.5

     Ultimate

    27

    27

    100.0%

    693.1

    11.6

    89.0%

    663.4

    56.8

    2019

     First Time

    29

    26

    89.7%

    681.7

    10.0

    84.0%

    656.1

    57.7

     Ultimate

    29

    29

    100.0%

    686.7

    8.9

    93.3%

    661.1

    52.7

    2018

     First Time

    20

    18

    90.0%

    669.6

    12.7

    84.0%

    656.0

    57.8

     Ultimate

    20

    20

    100.0%

    675.1

    11.7

    94.5%

    661.5

    52.1

     


    Scale Scores of 600 and above are passing.

     

  • Upon successful completion of the PTA program, graduates must pass the National Physical Therapy Licensing Exam (NPTE).

    Our graduates have been very successful on the PTA National licensing exam (NPTE). In 2017 our program's first time pass rate was 93.3% and ultimate pass rate was 96.7%. In 2018 the first time was 90% and ultimate pass rate was 100%. In 2019 the first time pass rate was 89.7% and the ultimate pass rate was 96.6%. A total of 79 graduates from those three cohorts have taken the exam. The mean scores have improved almost every year since 2008 and for 2017 the ultimate mean score was 685.9 in 2018 the ultimate mean score was 675.1 and in 2019 it was 685.7. A score of 600 is required to pass the licensing exam.

    Scale scores of 600 and above are passing.

    According to the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT) reports, ARCC PTA graduates scored above the national mean scale score in all content areas of the licensing exam except the musculoskeletal system.

  • The Physical Therapist Assistant program at Anoka-Ramsey Community College is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE). 

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


    1111 North Fairfax Street
    Alexandria, Virginia 22314
    703-706-3245
    accreditation@apta.org 
    www.capteonline.org

Meet Our Students and Alumni

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    Yinka Jerry
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    AA Psychology Emphasis
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    "Anoka-Ramsey is a great place to start for young adults especially if they do not know what they want to major in. The staff are able to help students down that career path."

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    “The professors at Anoka Ramsey are not only knowledgeable about course content but also care about their students' success.”

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