Physical Therapist Assistant Program

A Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) plays a crucial role in the field of physical therapy. Working under the direction and supervision of a Physical Therapist, PTAs assist in implementing treatment plans designed to help patients recover from injuries, illnesses, or surgeries.

Their primary responsibilities include helping patients perform specific exercises as part of their recovery process, using techniques such as massage and stretching to alleviate pain and improve mobility, and educating patients about what to do at home to aid their recovery. They also monitor patients’ progress and report their observations to the supervising Physical Therapist.

Sometimes, PTAs may use medical equipment to help patients, including ultrasound machines, electrical stimulation, hot packs or cold compresses, and traction equipment in a physical therapy practice. They are also responsible for keeping treatment areas clean and organized and preparing patients for therapy.

PTAs work in a variety of settings, including hospitals, outpatient clinics, home health agencies, schools, sports and fitness facilities, and nursing homes. Their goal is to always provide physical therapy services that improve the quality of life for their patients by promoting optimal health and physical function. They play an essential role in helping patients regain their strength, mobility, and independence.

Accreditation for Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) programs is essential for several reasons. Primarily, it ensures that the program meets specific quality standards and prepares students adequately for their future careers.

1. Quality Assurance: Accreditation is a rigorous process involving an external body’s thorough evaluation. When a program is accredited, it means it has met high standards in curriculum, faculty, facilities, and student services. This assures students that they are receiving a quality education.
2. Eligibility for Licensure: In many jurisdictions, graduation from an accredited program is a prerequisite for licensure or certification as a PTA. Without this credential, graduates may not be eligible to practice.
3. Transferability of Credits: If students decide to further their education, credits earned from an accredited institution are more likely to be recognized by other colleges or universities.
4. Financial Aid Eligibility: Federal financial aid is only available to students enrolled in accredited institutions.
5. Employer Preference: Many employers prefer hiring graduates from accredited programs as it ensures the applicant has received a comprehensive, quality education.

Accreditation is crucial to ensure the quality of education, eligibility for licensure, credit transferability, financial aid opportunities, and enhanced employment prospects.

The PTA Program at Freed-Hardeman University is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), 3030 Potomac Ave., Suite 100, Alexandria, Virginia 22305-3085; telephone: 703-706- 3245; email: accreditation@apta.org; website: http://www.capteonline.org. If needing to contact the program/institution directly, please call 731.989.6097 or email aprentice@fhu.bramblettgrp.com.

The Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) program at Freed-Hardeman University (FHU) offers several benefits to its students.

1. High-Quality Learning Environment: The program’s faculty provides a comprehensive curriculum based on contemporary, evidence-based physical therapy, ensuring a high-quality learning environment.
2. Extensive Clinical Experience: Students gain extensive hands-on experience through 640 hours of clinical education spread across various settings.
3. Strong Good Earning Potential: Average Median Pay is $62,770 per the APTA. Salaries vary based on geographical location, type of setting, years of experience and position held within the organization.
4. Christian Worldview: FHU is a Christian university, so the PTA program is built upon a foundation of biblical principles and ethics, integrating Christian faith, scholarship, and service. These values are integrated into every student’s education, from classroom instruction to clinical practice.
5. Small Class Sizes: Class sizes are small, allowing for more personalized instruction and guidance from faculty.
6. Supportive Faculty: Program faculty will provide a high-quality learning environment and supportive mentorship throughout the program.
7. Preparation: FHU fosters an environment of professionalism with students, faculty, patients, and healthcare providers, ensuring students are well-prepared for their future careers.

A major in the PTA program at FHU offers a comprehensive and quality education, practical clinical experience, preparation for advanced study, and good earning potential.

Physical Therapist Assistants (PTAs) can find employment in various organizations and businesses within the healthcare industry.

1. Hospitals: Hospitals employ PTAs in various departments, including orthopedics, rehabilitation, and sports medicine. PTAs work alongside Physical Therapists to provide patient care and assist in recovery.
2. Outpatient Clinics: PTAs are commonly employed in outpatient clinics specializing in physical therapy services. These clinics provide rehabilitation and therapeutic services to individuals of all ages.
3. Rehabilitation Centers: Whether stand-alone facilities or part of a larger healthcare organization, rehabilitation centers often employ PTAs. These centers provide comprehensive rehabilitation services to patients recovering from injuries, surgeries, or other medical conditions.
4. Nursing Homes and Assisted Living Facilities: PTAs are employed in long-term care settings where they provide mobility training, therapeutic exercises, and assist with activities of daily living for elderly residents.
5. Sports Medicine Clinics: Sports medicine clinics, which cater to athletes and sports enthusiasts, often have PTAs on their staff. They assist in injury prevention, rehabilitation, and performance enhancement.
6. Home Health Agencies: PTAs may work for home health agencies, providing physical therapy services to patients in the comfort of their own homes. They help patients regain mobility and independence after illness or surgery.
7. Schools and Educational Institutions: PTAs may be employed by schools and educational institutions to work with students with physical disabilities or special needs.

The demand for PTAs is growing as the importance of physical therapy in healthcare continues to be recognized. The PTA program at Freed-Hardeman University provides students with the skills and knowledge required to enter the thriving physical therapy profession.

A bachelor’s degree is not required to become a PTA, as the Associates of Applied Science degree satisfies the requirements for licensure. However, students wishing to remain four years at FHU will need to select a bachelor’s degree for completion as the PTA degree can be completed in as few as 3-5 semesters, depending on the amount of transfer credits a student brings in as a freshmen. A bachelor’s degree does not hold extra weight in admissions selection for the PTA program.

According to the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA), approximately 10% of PTAs explore careers as PTs. There are several educational opportunities available for PTAs to bridge the learning experience to become a PT. However, having a PTA license does not necessarily improve one’s chances for admissions to a PT school as courses at the PTA level are non-transferrable to PT education. There are also opportunities for PTAs to explore advanced proficiency pathways to further their skill set as a clinician without having to explore PT school.

APPLICATION PACKET

We are excited that you are interested in Freed-Hardeman University’s PTA Program. To help you navigate the application process, we highly recommend that you first download and review the PTA Application Packet below.

PHYSICAL THERAPIST ASSISTANT PROGRAM APPLICATION PACKET

NEW AND TRANSFER STUDENTS

In order to be accepted into the PTA program, students must first be accepted to Freed-Hardeman University. If you are looking to enroll or transfer to Freed-Hardeman University, please click the link below to first apply to FHU.

You will be contacted regarding the PTA application once you have successfully submitted your application to Freed-Hardeman University.

NEW AND TRANSFER STUDENTS

CURRENT FHU STUDENTS

If you are a currently enrolled student at Freed-Hardeman University, please click the link below to begin the PTA application process.

CURRENT FHU STUDENTS