Accelerated Physical Therapist Assistant
CHART YOUR COURSE
BECOME A PHYSICAL THERAPIST ASSISTANT – IN 1 YEAR!
Earn your Associate of Science from Mercy College of Health Sciences and become a physical therapist assistant (PTA), in just 1 year! Learn to use a variety of exercises and equipment to help people with conditions limiting their ability to move and perform activities. As a PTA, you’ll work under the direction and supervision of a physical therapist.
Mean Wage1
Year Professional Program, Full-Time
Licensure Pass Rate (2022-2023)†
Employment Rate (2022-2023)†
Projected Job Growth from 2020 – 20301
OUR BODY OF WORK
ABOUT OUR ACCELERATED PTA MAJOR
Our 1 year, three-semester, associate degree includes classroom instruction, practice in a skills lab, and clinical experience. Students are required to complete all general education requirements prior to starting the program (except for Servant Leadership and Pathophysiology) and are encouraged to do so at Mercy College. You’ll learn the art and science of therapeutic treatment during the professional year of the program. Upon completion of your degree, you’ll have the knowledge, skills, and attitudes needed to help physical therapists provide treatment to improve and restore mobility, relieve pain, and prevent or lessen physical disabilities. At the conclusion of this program, you will be eligible to sit for the Physical Therapist Assistant National Physical Therapy Exam. Licensure is required in Iowa and most states.
Clinical Experience
You will be immersed in direct patient contact through our integrated clinical education curriculum. The program’s clinical partners are leading healthcare providers in central Iowa who are dedicated to hands-on learning and student success.
ACCREDITED BY THE COMMISSION ON ACCREDITATION IN PHYSICAL THERAPY EDUCATION (CAPTE)
The Associate of Science in Physical Therapist Assistant program at Mercy College of Health Sciences 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 (515) 643-6614 or email Program Chair Connor Schmitt at Connor.Schmitt@MCHS.edu.
Our PTA team includes a full-time program chair and an instructor, as well as many licensed physical therapists and licensed physical therapist assistants. Our full-time liberal arts and science faculty members are PhD-prepared and adept at integrating their subject matters into a comprehensive health science curriculum. As a student, you will receive an exceptional level of personalized instruction from experienced educators dedicated to your success.
The PTA program at Mercy College challenges students to think critically, take responsibility for their own learning, and maintain professionalism. The program prepared me with all of the necessary skills that I will need to be an entry-level practitioner and gives me confidence starting a career.
– Physical Therapist Assistant Graduate, 2019
STEP ONE: COLLEGE ADMISSION
To be considered for admission to the Associate of Science in Physical Therapist Assistant major, you must first be admitted to Mercy College of Health Sciences. Learn more about admission to Mercy College. Complete our online Mercy College application. Early application is encouraged. Once admitted to Mercy College of Health Sciences, you may enroll in Core requirements prior to your admission to any academic major. If you are transferring credits, please visit our transfer page to learn more.
STEP TWO: PROGRAM ADMISSION
To be considered for admission to the PTA major applicants must meet the criteria below. Admission to the College does not guarantee admission to a major. Class size is limited. Students who have earned a previous Bachelor’s, Associate of Arts (A.A.), or Associate of Science (A.S.) degree are considered to have met all Mercy College of Health Sciences Core requirements except for Servant Leadership.
1. Complete the program application.
2. Successful completion of program prerequisites prior to the technical portion of the program and must earn a grade of “C” (not C-) or higher in the following college-level courses:
- Human Anatomy (with lab)
- Human Physiology (with lab)
- Medical Terminology
- English Composition I
- Developmental Psychology
- College-level Math (College Algebra or higher; NOT Statistics)
3. Grade Point Average on a 4.0 scale:
- Earn an extracted GPA of 2.8 or higher from the prerequisites listed above (Medical Terminology is not included in the GPA calculation).
4. All Mercy College Core requirements must be completed prior to beginning the PTA major except for SVL 285, Servant Leadership, and BIO 225 or 302, Pathophysiology.
5. Provide documentation of 24 hours of observation in physical therapy department(s) with a minimum of at least two levels of care (e.g. acute care hospital, skilled nursing facility, home health, and outpatient physical therapy clinic).
6. Participate in a required program informational session.
The following courses are required to earn your Associate of Science in Physical Therapist Assistant. Students admitted to the PTA program may use this recommended course sequence.
Semester 1 (Fall): 15-Weeks
BIO 225 or 302 – Principles of Pathophysiology or Pathophysiology (3 cr)
PTA 101 – Fundamentals of Physical Therapy w/Lab (3 cr)
PTA 130 – Kinesiology w/Lab (4 cr)
PTA 135 – Essential Skills in Physical Therapy I w/Lab (2 cr)
PTA 137 – Essential Skills in Physical Therapy II w/Lab (2 cr)
Semester 2 (Spring): 8-Week Term II
PTA 160 – Physical Therapy Modalities w/Lab (4 cr)
PTA 162 – Therapeutic Exercise w/Lab (4 cr)
PTA 163 – PTA Clinical I (1 cr)
Semester 2 (Spring): 7-Week Term II
PTA 201 – Physical Therapy Interventions for Musculoskeletal and Integumentary Conditions w/Lab (3 cr)
PTA 202 – Physical Therapy Interventions for Neuromuscular and Cardiopulmonary Conditions w/Lab (3 cr)
PTA 204 – Professional Issues (2 cr)
Semester 3 (Summer): 8-Week Term I
PTA 230 – Issues in Clinical Practice (1 cr)
PTA 232 – PTA Clinical II (6 cr)
Semester 3 (Summer): 7-Week Term II
PTA 234 – PTA Clinical III (6 cr)
PTA 235 – PTA Seminar (1 cr)
TOTAL: 45 MAJOR CREDITS
Total credits including required prerequisites courses is 63. Students without a prior degree may be required to complete additional Core requirements.
The Physical Therapist Assistant major offers one start date per year in the fall. View our full academic calendar for exact semester start dates. Pre-requisites and Core requirements may be completed at Mercy College of Health Sciences year-round.
To see an estimated cost breakdown for the PTA program, please view the 2024-2025 PTA Student Financial Fact Sheet.
OUTCOMES†
|
Graduation Rate |
Licensure Examination First-Time Pass Rate |
Licensure Ultimate Pass Rate |
Employment rate within 1 year following graduation |
|---|---|---|---|
Graduation Rate 66.67% (8/12) |
Licensure Examination First-Time Pass Rate 100% (12/12) |
Licensure Ultimate Pass Rate 100% (12/12) |
Employment rate within 1 year following graduation 100% (12/12) |
1Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Physical Therapist Assistants and Aides.
