Program Details
Program Details

Program Details

Physical Therapist Assistant, A.A.S.

Associate of Applied Science
Northern Virginia Community College

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.


Program Overview & Guidance
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Program Web Page
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External Link
Delivery Mode
In-Person
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Delivery Mode
Online
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Delivery Mode
Hybrid
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Program Guidance Element What You Need to Know
Considerations for Selecting Degree
Program Requirement Notes
Program Requirement Notes

Applicants must do the following:

  • Comply with all general admission requirements for Health SciencesPrograms.
  • Attend a Physical Therapist Assistant information session. Call the program office at 703-822-6570 for scheduled dates or visit www.nvcc.edu/medical/divisions/allied/therapyassistant.html.
  • Have completed NAS 150 Human Biologyor BIO 141 Human Anatomy and Physiology Iand BIO 142 Human Anatomy and Physiology IIwith a grade of 'B' or higher.
  • Have completed HLT 141 Introduction to Medical Terminologywith a grade of 'B' or higher.
  • Have a minimum 2.5 curricular GPA.
  • Be 18 years of age.
  • Complete ENG 111with a grade of 'B' or higher.
  • Have satisfactory scores on NOVA's placement tests to qualify for MTH 154.
  • Successfully complete and achieve satisfactory scores on the TEAS (Test of Essential Academic Skills) test. Students may only take the test three times per year. The latest result must be within three years of application to the PTA Program.
  • Submit the NOVA PTA Program Clinic ObservationForm documenting the minimum requirement of 4 hours of observation in a PT clinic.

Special Accreditation Status: The Physical Therapist Assistant program at Northern Virginia Community College is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), 111 North Fairfax Street, Alexandria, VA 22314; telephone: 703-706-3245; email: accreditation@apta.org; website: www.capteonline.org.If needing to contact the PTA program at NOVA directly, please call 703.822.6570 or email jgundrum@nvcc.edu.

Program Application Requirements: Completion of the above steps constitutes a completed PTA program application. Completed PTA program applications will be accepted eletronically to the Medical Education Student Services Center from March 15 through March 30 for the following semester. Students are notified in writing of acceptance into the program following submission of a completed application.

Professional Standards Requirements: Students are expected to consistently demonstrate professional behavior in the classroom, laboratory, and during clinical affiliations. Professional behavior must be consistent with the APTA Standards of Ethical Conduct for the Physical Therapist Assistant and the Professional Abilities outlined in the PTA Program Handbook. Behavior inconsistent with the Standards of Ethical Conduct for the Physical Therapist Assistant and/or the Professional Abilitites will result in dismissal from the program.

Additional Requirements: In addition to the admission requirements for Health Sciences Programs, upon acceptance students must complete a basic first aid course and a CPR for Health Providers courseprior to admission into the Physical Therapist Assistant Program.

Transfer Placement: PTA credits earned at another CAPTE accredited PTA program in the last 12 months are reviewed by the program director to determine if any course substitutions may be made within the curriculum. Students who wish to transfer to NOVA's PTA program will be required to satisfactorily complete a skill competency assessment prior to acceptance into the program. Transfer students must be in good academic standing and provide a written reference from the director of their program as well as a clinical instructor. Transfer students must meet all PTA program application and admission requirements.

Laboratory Examination Requirements: Each student must achieve a minimum passing score of 75% on each laboratory practical exam. In the event that a lab practical is failed, a maximum of one reexamination, per examination, will be permitted. A student who does not achieve a 75% or greater on the second attempt will fail the class and be administratively withdrawn from the program.

Continuation Requirements: Each course in the program major must be completed with a grade of 'C' or better before taking the next course in the sequence.

Reenrollment:

  • Students in good standing may be permitted to reenroll in the PTA curriculum on a space-available basis, with permission of the program director.
  • Students who leave the program for no more than a fall and a spring semester for personal, medical or academic reasonsare required to demonstrate proficiency in all previously enrolled skills courses prior to reentering the program. 'Practical exams' are administered and scheduled by the program faculty. A written exam will be required.
  • Students who leave the program for any period of time for medical reasons are required to submit evidence of good physical and mental health, as substantiated by a newly completed Pre-Admission Health History and Physical for NOVA Health Sciences Programs Form (125-007) signed by the primary physician responsible for their healthcare.Students must be able to continue to meet the Technical Standards for the PTA.

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    Considerations When Selecting Courses

    • Create a schedule for all required courses, pay attention to prerequisites and when courses are offered, complete your first math and English courses in your first year
    • Connect with an advisor at your community college and Northern Virginia Community College within your first year via College Connect
    Program Requirements Beyond Specific Courses
    Doing More With Your Degree
    Program Successes & Highlights
    Program Credit Requirements
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    Please look above to see if a Transfer Guide is available for this program. lf you are a current Virginia Community College student or are planning to start at a Virginia Community College before transferring to this institution and program, please follow the Transfer Guide to plan your courses at the community college.

    The table below provides the requirements to complete this program if you are not following a Transfer Guide. If you have an account and have created a Portfolio, the table includes the "Applied Credits" column. This column shows how the credits you earned based on the experiences you entered may be applied to satisfy these requirements. You can find schools where you can take courses that will transfer and apply to this degree using the Where Can I Find An Equivalent Course feature in the Transfer Tools menu.

    The program map provided below is an estimate based on courses identified as a result of reviewing your portfolio and the requirements for the selected program.

    A formal determination of credits awarded for your prior learning and their applicability to the degree requirements can only be made by the institution. The formal determination and resulting map may reflect higher or lower number of credits to be completed to achieve this program.
    Requirements
    Required Credits
    Physical Therapist Assistant, A.A.S.
    69
    Physical Therapist Assistant, AAS
    69
    1800 Plan GPA/Cum GPA 202425
    69
    This requires a minimum GPA of 2
    AND
    Transfer credits will be evaluated, and as applicable, up to 51 credits may be applied to this program.
    ENG Requirement (Prerequisite)
    3
    ENG 111
    3
    Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
    HLT Requirement (Prerequisite)
    1
    HLT 141
    1
    Earn 1 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
    BIO Requirements (Prerequisite)
    4
    BIO 145
    4
    Earn 4 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
    PSY Requirement
    3
    PSY 200
    3
    Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
    SDV Requirement
    1
    SDV 100
    1
    Earn 1 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
    SDV 101
    1
    Earn 1 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
    Humanities/Fine Arts Elective
    3
    Humanities/Fine Arts
    3
    Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Category list:
    MTH Requirement
    3
    MTH 154 or higher
    3
    Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Category:
    PED Requirement
    2
    PED 116
    2
    Earn 2 credits by completing courses from the following Course list:
    PTH Requirements
    48
    PTH 105
    3
    Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
    PTH 115
    5
    Earn 5 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
    PTH 121
    5
    Earn 5 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
    PTH 122
    5
    Earn 5 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
    PTH 131
    3
    Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
    PTH 151
    5
    Earn 5 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
    PTH 210
    2
    Earn 2 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
    PTH 225
    5
    Earn 5 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
    PTH 227
    3
    Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
    PTH 231
    5
    Earn 5 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
    PTH 232
    5
    Earn 5 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
    PTH 245
    3
    Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
    What If I Have An Associate Degree Or Credit For Prior Learning?
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    Transfer Guidance Element What You Need to Know
    Associate Transfer Degree Completion Students who have graduated with at least an associate or bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited United States institution of higher education are considered to have fulfilled NOVA's SDV requirement. Any other course transfers are evaluated based on the student's transcript, https://www.nvcc.edu/cro/transfercredit/index.html

    Completion of Associate Degree Concurrent with High School Students who have graduated with at least an associate or bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited United States institution of higher education are considered to have fulfilled NOVA's SDV requirement. Any other course transfers are evaluated based on the student's transcript.
    Credit for Prior Learning NOVA strives to provide students with opportunities to receive credit for prior learning while still maintaining the integrity of our academic programs. Credit for prior learning (CPL) generally refers to the process of granting college credit for learning gained in nontraditional. ways; https://www.nvcc.edu/prior-learning/
    Did You Know That...
    • Completing your Associate transfer degree post-high school satisfies all lower division general education requirements and increases the chance of completing your bachelor's degree?
    • Exceeding 3 years or 90 credits at your community college means you may have exhausted your financial aid at that college and have limited your future financial aid at: Northern Virginia Community College
    College Level Information
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    Transfer Center
    Visit our transfer site for more information
    External Link
    Transfer Admission Application
    Transfer Students - Apply Here
    External Link
    Transfer Student Aid
    Financial Aid for Transfer Students
    External Link
    Number of Transfer Students
    43891
    College Fit Guidance What You Need to Know
    Is This College Right For Me? Our classes feature up-to-date technology and course content to prepare you for a competitive job market; We also offer courses that will transfer to colleges all over Virginia and the nation. In fact, NOVA has guaranteed admission agreements with more than 40 colleges and universities for students who meet specific requirements.
    Transfer Student Catalog Year Catalog year is determined by first semester of program placement.
    First Year Student Catalog Year Catalog year is determined by first semester of program placement.
    Applying for Guaranteed Admissions https://www.nvcc.edu/gaa/
    Where Can This Degree Transfer
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    This section displays degrees most closely related to this program and to which you may be able to transfer. So, you can use this list to find the next degree you can complete in your major. Please click the degree name to visit that program page.

    Institution Title Degree Award Name Award Level Delivery Mode
    Germanna Community CollegeAssociate of Applied Science Degree in Physical TherapyAssociateAssociate of Applied Science2-YearIn-Person, Hybrid
    Laurel Ridge Community CollegeAssociate of Applied Science Degree in Physical Therapist Assistant - Partnership Agreement with Germanna Community CollegeAssociateAssociate of Applied Science2-YearIn-Person, Hybrid
    Tidewater Community CollegeAssociate of Applied Science - Physical Therapist AssistantAssociateAssociate of Applied Science2-YearIn-Person
    Wytheville Community CollegeAssociate of Applied Science Degree in Physical Therapist AssistAssociateAssociate of Applied Science2-YearIn-Person, Hybrid
    Careers Where This Degree Applies
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    O*Net Code Name Description Parent
    31-2021.00Physical Therapist AssistantsAssist physical therapists in providing physical therapy treatments and procedures. May, in accordance with state laws, assist in the development of treatment plans, carry out routine functions, document the progress of treatment, and modify specific treatments in accordance with patient status and within the scope of treatment plans established by a physical therapist. Generally requires formal training.Healthcare Support Occupations
    Cost To Complete
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    This section provides you with a very high-level estimate of your costs and is purely intended as a guide. You should consult the institution via College Connect to get a more detailed estimate based on the totality of your circumstances. The selections below are based on information gathered from your Profile and the estimated costs are calculated based on the 69 credits remaining to be completed

    Please select the "Cumulative Months of Service" that determine your Post 9/11 GI Bill benefits.
    Estimated Cost for the Physical Therapist Assistant, A.A.S. at Northern Virginia Community College
    These costs are based on an estimated 4 semesters or 2 years remaining to complete this degree (assuming a full-time load of 16 hours per semester)
    Category Cost Basis Cost (To You) Estimated Benefits Net Cost Notes
    Tuition $219 Per Credit $15,111 $0 $15,111
    *Please note that the above estimated costs do not include all Federal, State or other financial aid, grants, scholarships, etc. for which you may qualify. All such aid could substantially reduce these costs.
    Other Financial Aid to Pay for College:
    • You may be eligible for additional financial aid from Federal, State, and Local sources. Military education benefits are not considered in determining eligibility for federal financial aid. Everyone is therefore encouraged to apply for federal financial aid by submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), because many will qualify for additional educational funds like Pell Grants, worth over $5,500/yr.