Physical Therapist Assistant
Now is the time to pursue a career in healthcare. To get started, enroll at the college, then complete a program application using the instructions on this page. Program applications are currently being accepted by email only. Admissions Specialists are available to help you by phone or by email.
What You Will Learn
You are compassionate, observant, and a great communicator. Physical therapist assistants communicate with patients and physical therapists to ensure treatments are improving patient movement and pain management. They accept the physical, active requirements of the job to demonstrate exercises to patients, assist them with mobility tasks, and perform and stretches on them. Enroll in the physical therapist assistant program at Central Piedmont and earn a physical therapist assistant Associate of Applied Science.
Upon graduation from the program, you will be eligible to take the National Physical Therapy Exam (NPTE) for licensure.
Why Choose Central Piedmont
In our physical therapist assistant program, you immediately dive into training. Beginning in the second fall semester, you complete four clinical education courses. You will spend 40 hours per week in clinical facilities during those courses to apply learned skills under the supervision of a physical therapist or physical therapist assistant.
The physical therapist assistant program at Central Piedmont is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE).
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: capteonline.org
Real World Education
At Central Piedmont, your education goes beyond what you learn in class. We offer numerous opportunities for you to enhance your learning — and to make friends, network, and pursue your passions — through clubs and organizations, sports, events and activities, leadership opportunities, job experience, volunteer experiences, visual and performing arts, and even international experiences.
Do you still have questions?
- For program questions, email the Department Chair.
- For more information about the program courses, email the Interim Program Director.
- For information about the application, planning courses, or figuring out if PTA is the right fit for you, call 704-330-6958 or send us an email
Physical Therapist Assistant Careers and Average Salaries
Licensure is required in North Carolina and most states in the U.S. Today, physical therapist assistants provide health care services to patients of all ages and health conditions in a variety of settings, including outpatient clinics or offices, hospitals, Inpatient rehabilitation facilities, skilled nursing, extended care, or subacute facilities, homes, schools, hospices, industrial, workplace, or other occupational environments, and fitness centers and sports training facilities. Visit Central Piedmont’s Career Coach or the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics for detailed physical therapist assistant career requirements and opportunities, salary information, and job openings.
Career CoachThe Details
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Program Options
Earn a physical therapist assistant Associate in Applied Science. The college catalog lists the physical therapist assistant program options, courses, eligibility, and requirements currently available at Central Piedmont.
If you would like information on opportunities to transfer associate degree credit to a four-year institution, please visit the Transfer Resource Center.
Visiting Students
If you wish to transfer physical therapist assistant course credit back to your home institution, explore how to enroll at Central Piedmont as a visiting student.
Continuing Education
Central Piedmont's continuing education provides non-degree courses and programs, including job skills, industry-focused career training, certificates, certifications, professional licensure, and personal enrichment. Day, evening, weekend, and online opportunities are available.
College and Career Readiness
If you are looking for programs to gain the knowledge or skills necessary to finish a high school degree or to get a job, visit Central Piedmont's College and Career Readiness.
College Credit for High School Students
Visit Career and College Promise to learn about opportunities for high school students to earn college credit at Central Piedmont.
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Physical Therapist Assistant Program Requirements and Suggested Course Sequence
The physical therapist assistant program requires the completion of 75 credit hours completed full-time in five consecutive semesters (two years). The curriculum includes general studies courses as well as program-specific courses. Students in the program must achieve a grade of 74% or greater in program courses. For detailed information on physical therapist assistant program options, courses, eligibility, and requirements, visit the Central Piedmont Community College catalog.
Contact your advisor for help planning your courses.
You are encouraged — but not required — to complete general education courses while you wait to learn your admissions decision. All general education courses, medical terminology (MED 120), and anatomy and physiology II (BIO 169) must be completed by the end of the first fall semester after being admitted in order to progress in the program. However, anatomy and physiology I (BIO 168) is a prerequisite for the first fall PTA Program courses and must be completed prior to starting the program courses. There a time limit for expiration of BIO 168 and BIO 169: each class is looked at separately, and each of them must be fewer than five years old at the time of application. Program courses begin in the fall after you are admitted into the program and take a total of four semesters to complete. Program courses are not available during the summer session.
Clinicals
It is typically not possible to complete the program while working full time at the same time. Included in the curriculum are four clinical education courses beginning in the second fall semester. All four clinical affiliations consist of a time commitment of 40 hours a week in clinical facilities. Individual clinicians take on the job of converting your classroom knowledge to the ability to care for their clients in health care facilities; your education is not complete without this exposure to real patients. Clinicians generously offer time and expertise to students but do not receive any financial reward for their efforts. You will not receive payment during clinicals. The second fall and spring 8-week session courses require a substantial amount of time in classroom and lab.
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Locations and Course Delivery Methods
Classes for the physical therapy assistant program are delivered in several ways:
- In-person classes, labs, and clinicals are held on the Central Campus.
- combined (classroom/lab/clinical and online)
Program courses are only available during the day on weekdays and are not available over the summer.
Courses available and their schedules can change each semester. Check the physical therapist assistant program options, courses, eligibility, and requirements each semester.
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Career Coach
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Costs and Aid
Central Piedmont provides real-world, affordable, hands-on education and career training. Learn how much it costs to attend Central Piedmont. Financial aid and scholarships are available.
Physical Therapist Assistant Program Costs
In addition to regular tuition and fees, there are laboratory fees assigned to courses with a lab/clinical component. Additional costs include textbooks, workbooks, medical fees for a physical exam, and drug screening and immunizations.
Physical Therapist Assistant Scholarships
In particular, students interested in the physical therapist assistant program should consider the following scholarships. Please note that many scholarships are managed by organizations outside of Central Piedmont.
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Related Programs
- Biomedical Equipment Technology
- Cardiovascular Technology
- Cytotechnology
- Dental Assisting
- Dental Hygiene
- Emergency Medical Science
- Healthcare (Non-degree)
- Human Services Technology
- Medical Assisting
- Medical Laboratory Technology
- Medical Office Administration
- Nurse Aide
- Nursing
- Occupational Therapy Assistant
- Ophthalmic Medical Personnel
- Pharmacy Technology
- Polysomnography
- Respiratory Therapy
- Surgical Technology
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Concerns or Complaints about the Program
Concerns or complaints about the Physical Therapist Assistant program can be directed to:
Roschella Stephens, PT, MS
Associate Dean Therapy and Acute Care
Central Piedmont Community College
P.O. Box 35009
Belk/Health Careers Building
Charlotte, NC 28235-5009
Email: Roschella.Stephens@cpcc.edu
Phone: 704-330-6746Comments must be provided in writing and signed by the author. Anonymous submissions will not be acknowledged, nor will written comments provided on behalf of an anonymous source. Comments received via phone or email will be directed to submit this form (PDF).
Complaints may also be filed directly to the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) at:
3030 Potomac Ave. Suite 100
Alexandria, VA 22305-3085
Phone: 703-706-3245
E-mail: accreditation@apta.org
Website* No retaliation will occur by either the PTA Program or College due to a complaint being filed.
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Admitted Students: Find Your Advisor
Students admitted into the physical therapist assistant Associate in Applied Science program at Central Piedmont have an assigned faculty advisor. Find your faculty advisor based on your last name:
- Tamara Adkins: last names A-F, U-W
- Diana Corrigan: last names G-L, S-T
- Neil Hebert: last names M–R, X-Z
Information Session
If you decide to apply for this program, you'll be required to complete the information session process.
Review the virtual information session