Is This Program for You?

Do you have an interest in helping others and enjoy working with people from a variety of backgrounds and abilities? Do you enjoy working independently, and are you in good physical and emotional health? If so, the Physical Therapist Assistant program may provide the opportunity you need to launch a great career.

Students entering the Physical Therapist Assistant program should:

• Have good reading, math, and comprehension skills.
• Be in good physical and emotional health.
• Be flexible, adaptable, and enjoy working with people.
• Be self-confident, independent, and a self-directed learner.
• Meet Wisconsin Caregiver Law requirements.

Program Basics

• Associate degree
• Day, evening/weekend and online classes may be available.
• Financial aid is available to those that qualify.
• August program start date; however, some classes will be available in January.
• Qualified students may take some courses immediately upon program acceptance.
• Students must achieve a grade of a C or better in each course of the program curriculum to be eligible to progress.
• Current Healthcare Provider CPR certification must be maintained throughout the program. (Courses must include CPR, and a hands-on exam must be taken.)

Acceptance to the program is based on a petition process. Students will be accepted as prepetition by completing the requirements below. As a prepetition student you will work on petition requirements to be completed by June 1st.

Program Outcomes

The graduate of the Physical Therapist Assistant Program will be able to:

• Demonstrate clear and collaborative communication with patients, families, and health care team.
• Exhibit behaviors and conduct that reflect respect and sensitivity according to physical therapy practice standards.
• Function under the supervision of a physical therapist in a safe, legal, ethical manner to ensure the safety of patients, self, and others throughout the clinical interaction.
• Produce documentation to support the delivery of physical therapy services.
• Demonstrate critical thinking skills to implement and modify treatment within a plan of care under the direction and supervision of a physical therapist.
• Perform data collection essential for carrying out the plan of care under the direction and supervision of the physical therapist.
• Perform technically competent, evidence-based physical therapy interventions under the direction and supervision of the physical therapist.
• Educate patients, families and other health care providers.
• Integrate components of operational and fiscal practices of physical therapy service in a variety of settings.
• Implement a self-directed plan for career development, credentialing and lifelong learning.

PTA Outcomes

Professional Licensure Disclosure

Southwest Tech’s Physical Therapist Assistant (P.T.A.) program is designed to prepare students to sit for the National Physical Therapy Examination for Physical Therapist Assistants in Wisconsin. If you plan to pursue licensure in a state other than Wisconsin, please review state educational requirements for that state.

Licensure Information

The Physical Therapist Assistant program is designed to lead to a license for Physical Therapist Assistant (through NPTE) in Wisconsin. More licensure information can be found on the Program Accreditations and Licensure page.

Employment opportunities for Physical Therapist Assistant include:

• Hospitals
• Rehabilitation Centers
• Outpatient Clinics
• Sports Medicine Centers
• Skilled Nursing and Long-Term Care Facilities
• Schools
• Specialty Units
• Home Health Agencies

Southwest Tech's Career Connections Center offers Services to assist students looking for job placement.

Credit for Prior Learning

Experience Pays! You've Been There... You've Done That... Let's See If You Can Get Credit For It!

Credit for prior learning gives you opportunities to earn credit for college-level knowledge that you have already acquired. This may be the result of work or volunteer experiences, certifications, apprenticeships, military training, extensive self-instruction, or professional development. Credit for Prior Learning affords you the opportunity to accelerate the completion of your educational goals.

For more information on Credit for Prior Learning see our Credit for Prior Learning page.

At any time, you may Request Credit for Prior Learning.

Physical Therapist Assistant Courses that may have Credit for Prior Learning options:

Course #	Course Title	Challenge Exam (Demonstration)	Challenge Exam (Standard)	CLEP	Credential	Portfolio
10-801-195	Written Communication
	College Composition CLEP test would also be accepted for credit. However, the challenge exam is the preferred method.
10-801-196	Oral/Interpersonal Communication
10-809-172	Introduction to Diversity Studies
10-809-188	Developmental Psychology
	CLEP Test - Human Growth and Development
10-809-198	Intro to Psychology
	CLEP Test - Introduction to Psychology