About The Program

The program is designed to prepare students to use exercise, specialty equipment, and other treatment procedures to prevent, identify, correct, and alleviate movement dysfunction working under the direction and supervision of a physical therapist to provide selected components of physical therapy treatments. The program design provides students with the philosophical, theoretical, and clinical knowledge necessary to deliver high-quality patient care. Students must pass a licensing examination to begin their physical therapist assistant (PTA) career. Students are prepared for employment in a variety of healthcare settings, including acute care hospitals, outpatient clinics, extended care facilities, rehabilitation centers, contract agencies, and schools.

Program Degrees and Certificates

Program Details

The application deadline has been extended to June 15th! Those students completing prerequisites in the Summer or taking/retaking the TEAS test are eligible to apply.

The Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) Program is a committed contributor to the physical therapy community of Northern Virginia. The program currently offers a two-year, full-time course of study. PTA majors develop their skills through classes, labs, field trips and clinical affiliations. Students gain a sense of personal and professional fulfillment in a career built around helping others recover from illness or injury. Physical therapy is a very rewarding choice for those interested in a dynamic career in health care.

First Priority Application Period: March 1 - 15
A second application window will be available from May 1-15
Admission Policy: Competitive
Program Size: 40 students
Program Length: Five semesters
Program Starts: Every August

  • Transfer Opportunities

    Transfer is not the primary purpose of this credential; however, NOVA may have agreements that facilitate the transfer of this and other career-oriented programs to selected senior institutions. To learn more about possible transfer opportunities, please visit: https://www.nvcc.edu/transfer/. Students interested in transferring should contact an advisor or counselor to discuss their options and plans.

  • Credit for Prior Learning

    Northern Virginia Community College accepts industry-standard certifications, credentials and/or professional courses for credit. Broadly, licenses, credentials and/or certifications must be current and valid for consideration. For more information regarding the status of the certification and its eligibility for credit, please see an advisor or faculty members in the discipline area that awards CPL credit.

  • Career Prospects

    Upon successful completion of the program, students must take and pass a licensing examination to begin their career as a physical therapist assistant (PTA). Students are prepared for employment in a variety of healthcare settings, including acute care hospitals, outpatient clinics, extended care facilities, rehabilitation centers, contract agencies, and schools. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment for PTAs over the next decade is projected to grow at a much faster rate (26%) than for all occupations.

Information Session

The first step to earning a degree to become a physical therapist assistant at NOVA is to attend a mandatory in-person Information Session.

This mandatory step in the application process allows students to find out if the field of physical therapy is a good fit. Students can meet the program director and ask questions about the application and admissions process. Students do not need to register in advance for the Information Session. Students should arrive on time and plan to stay for the entire two hours. Please do not bring children to the session. Times may be subject to change, so please check back to this web page for cancellations.

  • In-Person Information Session
    Spring 2023
    Date Time Location
    Monday, September 11, 2023 12:00 - 2:00 p.m. Medical Education Campus, Room 254
    Monday, October 16, 2023 12:00 - 2:00 p.m. Medical Education Campus, Room 254
    Monday, November 13, 2023 12:00 - 2:00 p.m. Medical Education Campus, Room 254
    Monday, December 4, 2023 12:00 - 2:00 p.m. Medical Education Campus, Room 254

Accreditation Information

The Physical Therapist Assistant program at Northern Virginia Community College is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE).

3030 Potomac Ave., Suite 100, Alexandria, Virginia 22305-3085
703.706.3245
accreditation@apta.org
http://www.capteonline.org

Concerns From the General Public

Members of the general public can express a concern or register a complaint regarding the PTA program or its graduates to the Dean of Health Sciences via email to megancook@nvcc.edu. The program/Division office will document and keep all complaints on file.

Accreditation concerns should be directed to the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) at accreditation@apta.org.

Documents & Resources

Career Coach

Resources

Contact

Medical Education Campus
Jacqueline Maier