Why study Physical Therapist Assistant?

Why study Physical Therapist Assisting?

The UC Clermont Physical Therapist Assistant Program graduates students with an Associate Degree of Applied Science while also preparing each student for licensure and practice within the field of physical therapy as an entry-level physical therapist assistant.

Physical therapist assistants (PTAs) are educated and licensed clinicians who provide care under the direction and supervision of a licensed physical therapist. Physical therapist assistants implement components of individualized patient care, obtain data related to the treatment provided, and collaborate with the physical therapist to modify care as necessary. As a team, physical therapists and physical therapist assistants work to help people improve movement function.

The program's well-rounded curriculum is designed to prepare graduates who will be effective physical therapy clinicians in a wide variety of clinical settings. The program incorporates traditional coursework and clinical education experiences. Courses may involve lectures, active lab demonstrations, course-related field trips, and observations at off-campus sites.

Graduates of the program consistently exceed national averages on board exam pass rates.

To work as a physical therapist assistant in the United States, you must graduate from a Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education-accredited physical therapist assistant education program and pass a state-administered national exam to obtain licensure or certification required in most states.

Details of the program, including information sessions, are posted on the Physical Therapist Assistant Program Information Page.

State Authorization

Federal regulations require the University of Cincinnati to publicly disclose whether completion of certain programs that lead or may lead to professional licensure or certification would meet a given state’s educational requirements for a specific professional license or certification required for employment in an occupation (regardless of whether the program is on-ground, online, or hybrid).   To learn whether a University program meets a given state’s educational requirements, please visit the University of Cincinnati State Authorization webpage.

Career Possibilities

The Physical Therapist Assistant Program prepares graduates for a career as a physical therapist assistant. Currently, in Ohio, PTA is the #2 top job in Ohio for people with associate degrees

Physical Therapist Assistants are educated and licensed clinicians who provide care under the direction and supervision of a licensed physical therapist. Physical therapist assistants implement components of individualized patient care, obtain data related to the treatment provided, and collaborate with the physical therapist to modify care as necessary. As a team, physical therapists and physical therapist assistants work to help people improve movement function.

Once you graduate from a PTA program, pass the board exam, and meet any state laws and exams that are required, you are eligible to work as a licensed Physical Therapist Assistant.

Graduates of our program find careers working with patients across the lifespan in a variety of locations including:

• Outpatient clinics
• Hospitals
• Private physical therapy offices
• Home health care
• Skilled Nursing Facilities

Physical therapist assistants provide care to people of all ages who have functional problems, including but not limited to:

• Cardiovascular & Pulmonary Conditions (heart attack, cystic fibrosis, bypass surgery)
• Integumentary Conditions (wounds, burns)
• Neurological Conditions (cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injury, stroke)
• Orthopedic Conditions (sprains, fractures, sports injuries, amputations, back and neck pain).
• The Surgeon General recently urged physicians to battle against opioid addiction. Physical therapy is recommended as a first-line approach to managing pain.

Physical therapist assistants have the opportunity to increase their knowledge and skills through APTA's PTA Advanced Proficiency Pathways program. Content areas are acute care, cardiovascular/pulmonary, geriatrics, neurology, oncology, orthopedics, pediatrics, and wound management.

Major Maps

• Guide: 2024-2025 Physical Therapist Assistant (AAS)

Advising

Academic advising is an essential part of your educational experience.

We are committed to providing advice and assistance throughout your academic journey. You and your advisor work together to create an academic plan based on your goals. 
 
Questions? Email us at clermont.advising@uc.edu or call 513-558-8317 to schedule an appointment.

UC Advantages and Special Opportunities

UC Clermont students have access to free tutoring and academic support services through Learning Commons. The Learning Commons provides centralized academic support for all University of Cincinnati students by bringing together faculty, best-practices in teaching and learning, and hundreds of outstanding peer educators to create flexible academic success programming. Free services available to UC Clermont students include academic coaching, group review sessions, success skills workshops, and tutoring in writing, math, science and more. Services are available on-campus or virtually. Visit the Learning Commons webpage for more information or schedule an appointment online.

Academic Coaching – Academic coaches help students get organized and learn to be efficient and effective with their study time during one-on-one sessions. Academic Coaches work with students on new strategies or exercises to try before the next meeting and later meetings allow tailoring new approaches to develop the best study and test taking habits for unique goals and strengths. Schedule one-hour sessions as often as once per week.

Academic Writing Center (AWC) – The Academic Writing Center (AWC) offers tutoring for all stages of the writing process, from brainstorming to incorporating research. The AWC is not course-specific and can help with discipline-specific documents, as well as non-course-based writing. Schedule a one-on-one appointment with a trained writing tutor or submit a paper online for feedback within 48 hours.

Group Review Sessions (GRS) – Group Review Sessions (GRS) are small study groups, led by a peer leader, that meet to review content that is covered in course-supported lectures each week. Find the list of supported courses on the Learning Commons website.

Math & Science Support Center (MASS) – The MASS Center offers virtual study tables for many undergraduate mathematics and science courses. Study tables provide a collaborative learning space so that students can learn from their peers who have excelled (the table leader) as well as their fellow class members attending the study table. No appointment is necessary for these scheduled group study sessions. You can view the up-to-date study table schedule on the Learning Commons website.

Peer Tutoring – Peer tutoring sessions are one-on-one with a subject-specific tutor to answer questions and help you master content in more than 200 undergraduate courses, including subjects such as math, science, languages and business. Schedule appointments up to 7 days in advance for one-hour, 90-minute or two-hour session. If you notice your desired course is not offered, please let us know.

Preparatory Composition – Students enrolled in UC Clermont Preparatory English (ENGL0099) courses have dedicated support from professional tutors. Information about these services and how to connect with the tutor is included in the course syllabus.

Success Skills Workshops – Success Skills Workshops are free one-hour sessions that focus on skills students need to be successful in college (study skills, note-taking, motivation, etc.). While there is no shortcut to success, the goal of the workshops is to empower students to identify and apply academic habits and soft skills through a deeper understanding and purpose of them. When students RSVP for a workshop, they will be able to register for the upcoming workshops one at a time and up to nine days prior to the workshop date.

Canvas Navigator Workshop – Designed to help students who are new to college and need help navigating their coursework online. The workshop shows students how to access their course materials, publisher homework, quizzes, textbooks, academic services like tutoring, and more. Students who attend this workshop can expect to gain clarity on what they need to do on a weekly basis to stay on track with their course work throughout the semester, which helps students stay motivated leading to greater confidence and success in their courses.

Math Placement Test Workshop – Offered to prospective and current UC students who want to brush up on their math skills before taking the Math Placement Test. The free synchronous online workshop is led by a UC Clermont professional tutor. The three-week workshop series is offered monthly except in January. It is recommended that students sign up for all three weeks to get the maximum benefit from these workshops.

Math for Science Students Workshop – Designed for students enrolled in entry-level biology and chemistry courses, these workshops cover foundational math concepts that students need to success in their science courses. The synchronous online workshops are led by a UC Clermont tutor. The workshop repeats each week starting the week before classes begin and continuing through week 3 of the semester.

Admission Requirements

Application Process for the UC Clermont Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) Program

At UC Clermont, admission to the college is open-access; however, the Physical Therapist Assistant Program follows a selective admission process and requires a separate application.

Application Steps:

1. College Admission: All prospective students must first be admitted to UC Clermont by completing the general college application.

2. Program Admission: To apply for the Physical Therapist Assistant Program, students must submit a separate application during the fall semester while completing the required pre-requisite courses.

3. Selective Admission: The program accepts a limited number of students (23) annually into the second year (technical year) of the program, starting in the summer semester. Admission is based on pre-determined criteria.

Information Sessions: We encourage all interested students to attend one of our bi-monthly information sessions to learn more about the PTA profession and the admission process. You may sign up for an information session on our PTA Program Information Page.

Application Access: The online application for the second year/technical year can be accessed through the Selective Program Admission website.

Further Assistance: For detailed information about the PTA program and guidance through the application process, please visit our PTA program page on Admission Criteria or consult with an Allied Health Academic Advisor.

Transferring to UC Requirements

While UC Clermont accepts transfer applications all year long, admission to the technical year of the program is through a selective admission process and requires a separate application that is open every November-December.

Please contact Carolyn Shisler, Program Director, to determine if your previous college coursework will apply toward the prerequisites required for this degree. Generally, previous college coursework will apply as long as the previous coursework was taken at an institution accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and the science coursework has been taken within the past 6 years.

The program offers special informational sessions often to assist students in their transition. These are announced college wide and are available on the PTA Program Information Website. 

Please be aware admission to the PTA cohort happens ONLY once per year.

If you have not taken college-level mathematics or English, you will need to take the placement test.

Changing Majors within UC Requirements

Other UC students may transfer into Clermont College by completing an application for change in college and program. The college recommends you see your advisor before transferring into a different major to minimize any impact on your degree progress.

Admission to the second-year technical core is a selective admission process and requires a separate application during November-December of your first year.

International Student Requirements

You must demonstrate English proficiency. You must also meet admissions deadlines and visa requirements, and provide documentation of sufficient funds before we can complete your admission. Please call the International Admissions Office (513) 556-2069 for details or email with questions.

Learn more about becoming an international student at UC Clermont.

Graduation Requirements

In order to graduate from UC Clermont, a student must:

• Complete all required coursework and program requirements. These include demonstration/compliance of PTA program essential functions, the Professional Behaviors of the 21st Century, APTA Core Values, and Standards of Ethical Conduct for Physical Therapist Assistants.
• Obtain at least a 2.0 university grade point average.
• Be in good academic and professional standing.
• Meet the college's residency requirement of 20 semester credit hours.
• File formal application for the degree by the posted semester of graduation deadline.

Application Deadlines

For specific deadline information, visit the Admissions webpage.

Traditional, non-transfer students should plan to start their Physical Therapist Assistant coursework in the Fall semester, because the basic series of foundation courses required for this program starts in the fall and continues sequentially through the spring. Those courses are required for review of your application into the technical core year.

You must also apply separately for admission into the second, technical year of the program during the fall semester. Deadlines are posted on the PTA Program Website and the PTA Applications Community in Teams.

Accreditation

The Physical Therapist Assistant Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE). The program was first accredited through the University of Cincinnati College of Allied Health in 1987. Transfer of sponsorship to Clermont College was approved in November 2009, maintaining its full accreditation status. The Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education has re-accredited this program until December 31, 2026.

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

To confirm the current CAPTE accreditation status for the program, please visit CAPTE Accreditation Verification Page

The program curriculum meets the state educational requirements for licensure or certification in all states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands secondary to its accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education based upon the following: Accreditation of a physical therapist or physical therapists assistant program by CAPTE satisfies state educational requirements in all states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Thus students graduating from CAPTE Accredited physical therapist and physical therapist assistant education programs are eligible to take the National Physical Therapy Examination and apply for licensure in all states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. For more information regarding state qualifications and licensure requirements, please refer to the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy.