A.S. Physical Therapist Assistant

Program Information

The Associate in Science in Physical Therapist Assistant is a two-year selective admissions program, with the first semester consisting of general education coursework that must be completed prior to admission into the Technical Phase.  The program provides students with the skills, knowledge, and clinical experiences necessary to become Physical Therapist Assistants.  Students will be ready and eligible to sit for the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE), which is required to work as a PTA.  New students are accepted annually for enrollment in the technical program starting in the Spring Term.

The Physical Therapist Assistant Program at Northwest Florida State College 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 (850)863-6511 or email pta@nwfsc.edu.

Admissions Requirements

Students seeking admission to the program must complete an application to the college and be admitted into the PTA Program General Education Cohort prior to applying to the Technical Program.  Students must meet the admissions criteria listed below to be considered for selection into this program.   All eligible applicants will be accepted based on the annual cohort size determined by job market outlook and clinical site availability.  If there are more eligible applicants than spots available, the program will use a selective admission points system which can be found in the program application packet.

Students selected for the Technical Program will receive conditional acceptance pending a background check, drug screen, and completion of general education coursework with the minimum required GPA.  Contact the PTA Department at (850)863-6511 or by email for additional information.

Before Program Admission

• Apply to the College – PTA Program General Education Cohort.
• Attend Information session – not required but will receive selective admissions points for attending; dates listed on program page.
• Complete the PTA Technical Program Application.

After Program Admission

Information will be sent to you upon selection into the Technical Program for more information about how to complete the items listed below.

• Background check and drug screen (completed prior to full admission into the technical program)
• Attend mandatory orientation
• Physical examination
• Proof of immunizations
• CPR certification