Training for Expert Patient Care
Learn to become a Physical Therapist Assistant and acquire the skills to identify and correct movement dysfunction under professional supervision in various healthcare settings.
AVAILABLE PROGRAMS
Physical Therapist Assistant Associate Degree
The program is designed to prepare students to utilize exercise, specialty equipment, and other treatment procedures to prevent, identify, correct, and alleviate movement dysfunction. The program design provides students with the philosophical, theoretical, and clinical knowledge necessary to deliver high-quality patient care. Ultimately, students are prepared as skilled technical healthcare providers who work under the direction and supervision of a physical therapist to provide selected components of physical therapy treatments. 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.
- Length
- Two Years
- Credits
- 69 (includes 8 prerequisite credits)
- Locations
- Medical Education
Why Study Physical Therapy at NOVA?
Comprehensive Training
Acquire the necessary skills to prevent, detect, and correct movement dysfunctions by combining theoretical, philosophical, and clinical knowledge to ensure the best possible patient care.
Professional Preparation
Become a licensed Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) after completing the program, opening doors to diverse employment opportunities in healthcare settings such as hospitals, clinics, rehabilitation centers, and schools.
Growing Opportunities
Join a dynamic and rewarding field with a projected 26% growth rate in PTA employment over the next decade, contributing to the vibrant physical therapy community in Northern Virginia.
Program Details
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
Interested applicants who have questions: please contact the Program Director, Jackie Maier.
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 Sessions
| Date | Time | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Monday, January 13, 2025 | 12:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. | Medical Education Campus, Room 151 (Lecture Hall) |
| Tuesday, February 4, 2025 | 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. | Medical Education Campus, Room 255 |
| Tuesday, March 4, 2025 | 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. | Medical Education Campus, Room 255 |
| Monday, April 7, 2025 | 12:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. | Medical Education Campus, Room 151 (Lecture Hall) |
| Monday, May 5, 2025 | 12:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. | Medical Education Campus, Room 151 (Lecture Hall) |
| Monday, June 2, 2025 | 12:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. | Medical Education Campus, Room 151 (Lecture Hall) |
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.
More Program Details and Resources
Accreditations
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
| Year | Graduation Rate | Ultimate Licensure Exam Pass Rate | First-Time Exam Pass Rate | Employment Rate: Percentage of Graduates Employed Within 12 Months |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 93.8% | 100% | 100% | 100% |
| 2022 | 89.2% | 91.7% | 83.3% | No Information Secondary To Lapse In Graduate Survey During Program Director Transition |
| 2 Year Average: 2021-2022 | 91.5% | 96% | 92% | N/A |
Credits and
Transfer Info
Credit for Prior Learning
Credit for prior learning (CPL) generally refers to the process of granting college credit for learning gained in nontraditional ways, including but not limited to: certifications, AP or IB exams, military training, or life experience.
Transferring
Learn more about possible transfer opportunities associated with this program of study. Students interested in transferring should contact an advisor or counselor to further discuss their plans.