Physical Therapist Assistant
Kickstart your career as a licensed Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) with our Associate of Applied Science Degree. This program equips you with the skills and knowledge to work under the supervision of physical therapists, helping patients improve mobility, manage pain, and regain independence.
Why Choose This Program?
- Hands-On Training: Learn essential skills like manual therapy, therapeutic exercises, gait training, goniometry, strength assessment, and neurological rehabilitation.
- Diverse Career Opportunities: PTAs are in high demand across various settings, including:
- Hospitals
- Skilled nursing facilities
- Outpatient clinics
- Rehabilitation centers
- Specialty facilities
- Home care
Be a Lifelong Learner and Advocate
This program not only prepares you for immediate employment but also encourages professional growth and community advocacy, empowering you to meet the health needs of diverse populations.
Start your journey to becoming a PTA today and make a difference in patients' lives!
What’s the Job Outlook for Physical Therapist Assistants?
Employment of physical therapist assistants and aides is projected to grow 19% from 2022 to 2032, significantly faster than the average for all occupations.
Salary Ranges by State & Setting
As of May 2023, the median annual wage for physical therapist assistants nationwide was $64,080. The lowest 10% earned less than $42,110, while the highest 10% earned more than $88,830.
In Michigan, PTAs earned a mean annual wage of $58,940, which is slightly below the national median.
Salaries can vary significantly based on the work setting. According to BLS data, the median annual wages for PTAs in different industries were:
- Home Healthcare Services: $76,750
- Nursing Care Facilities (Skilled Nursing Facilities): $76,710
- Hospitals; State, Local, and Private: $66,180
- Offices of Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapists, and Audiologists: $60,540
- Offices of Physicians: $59,820
These figures indicate that PTAs working in home healthcare services and nursing care facilities tend to earn higher salaries compared to those in other settings.
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics
CAPTE Accreditation Statement
Effective April 30, 2024, Wayne County Community College District has been granted Candidate for Accreditation status by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (3030 Potomac Ave., Suite 100, Alexandria, Virginia 22305-3085; phone: 703-706-3245; email: accreditation@apta.org). If needing to contact the program/ institution directly, please call (313) 496-2818 or email ssagger1@wcccd.edu.
Candidate for Accreditation is an accreditation status of affiliation with the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education that indicates the program may matriculate students in technical/professional courses. Achievement of Candidate for Accreditation status does not assure that the program will be granted Initial Accreditation.
The Physical Therapist Assistant Program expects to receive an accreditation decision by October 2025. If the accreditation decision is positive, students who complete the program in December 2025 will graduate from an accredited program.
Recommended course sequencing
Prerequisite Courses Total: 22 Credits
- BIO 240 - Human Anatomy and Physiology I 4 Credit(s)
- BIO 250 - Human Anatomy and Physiology II 4 Credit(s)
- ENG 119 - English I 3 Credit(s)
- PS 101 - American Government 3 Credit(s)
- PSY 101 - Introductory Psychology 3 Credit(s)
- PTT 101 - Introduction to Physical Therapy 2 Credit(s)
- SPH 101 - Fundamentals of Speech 3 Credit(s)
Semester 1 Total: 14 Credits
- PTA 102 - Clinical Pathology 2 Credit(s)
- PTA 103 - Functional Mobility 3 Credit(s)
- PTA 104 - Clinical Kinesiology 3 Credit(s)
- PTA 105 - Neuromuscular Foundations 2 Credit(s)
- PTA 106 - Functional Movement Development 2 Credit(s)
- PTA 107 - Clinical Documentation for the PTA 2 Credit(s)
Semester 2 Total: 13 Credits
- PTA 110 - Patient Assessment 3 Credit(s)
- PTA 112 - Therapeutic Exercise 3 Credit(s)
- PTA 114 - Manual Therapy Techniques 3 Credit(s)
- PTA 115 - Professional Preparation 2 Credit(s)
- PTA 220 - Clinical Education I 2 Credit(s)
Semester 3 Total: 11 Credits
- PTA 204 - Neuromuscular Rehabilitation 3 Credit(s)
- PTA 205 - Pediatric Management 2 Credit(s)
- PTA 210 - Therapeutic Modalities 3 Credit(s)
- PTA 212 - PTA Seminar in Specialty Practice 3 Credit(s)
Semester 4 Total: 12 Credits
- PTA 230 - Clinical Education II 6 Credit(s)
- PTA 240 - Clinical Education III 6 Credit(s)
Where is WCCCD’s Physical Therapist Assistant Program Offered?
The WCCCD’s Physical Therapist Assistant Program is offered at our Curtis L. Ivery Downtown Campus. As a WCCCD student, you can take prerequisite courses, use facilities, and get involved at any of our six locations.
It is the policy of WCCCD that no person, based on race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, height, weight, marital status, disability, or political affiliation or belief, shall be discriminated against, excluded from participation in, denied the benefits of, or otherwise be subjected to discrimination in employment or in any program or activity for which it is responsible or for which it receives financial assistance from the U.S. Department of Education.
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