Physical Therapist Assistant

Are you an active, empathetic person who likes helping people? Would you like to help guide a patient back from an injury or illness to regain strength, stability and a sense of freedom and joy?

Then a career as a PTA would be a perfect pathway for you. Our training emphasizes problem-solving, critical thinking, and independent skill performance, to transform you into a highly competent and compassionate member of a patient’s health care team.

Note: Our PTA program only accepts a limited number of students each academic year. Interested students should apply as early as possible.

What makes Central Penn’s Physical Therapist Assistant program unique?

Small class sizes with individualized attention
Accepts students twice per year
Accelerated terms so that you can earn your degree faster
Caring, dedicated faculty who will help you succeed
Daytime or Evening classes available
Hands-on, real-world learning, including an internship
High placement rate – More than 90% of our grads are employed in their chosen field or continuing their education within one year of graduation, according to our latest one-year graduate survey.

2+2 Healthcare Management Pathway

Central Penn College’s healthcare associate degrees provide a strong foundation for a career in medicine, with the flexibility to bridge seamlessly into our Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Management (HCM) degree. This innovative 2+2 pathway allows you to earn your associate degree in as little as 18 months + an internship, followed by a HCM in an additional year and a half, propelling you towards leadership roles in the dynamic healthcare industry.

Physical Therapist Assistant A.S.: Work alongside licensed physical therapists, develop comprehensive rehabilitation programs, and pave the way for a Healthcare Management to further your impact on patient care and healthcare management.

PTA Student Financial Fact Sheet

Physical Therapist Assistant Program Accreditation

The Physical Therapist Program at Central Penn 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 717-728-2315 or email nicolepatterson@centralpenn.edu.

DOWNLOAD THE PTA HANDBOOK

Physical Therapy Assistant Student Outcome Information

This information is provided in compliance with the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) Student Outcomes regulation.

Program Name: Central Penn College Physical Therapy Assistant Program
Degree Offered: Associate in Applied Science
Current CAPTE Accreditation Status: Accreditation
Date First Accredited: March 1988

Most Recent Capte Visit: July 2020
Most Recent Action Taken: April 25, 2023
Action Taken: Accreditation
Next Visit: March 2030

GRADUATION RATE

Summerdale (Day Program) 2024: 80.8%
Summerdale (Day Program) 2023: 74.1%
Summerdale (Day Program) 2 year average: 77.4%

Summerdale (Evening Program) 2024: 61.10%
Summerdale (Evening Program) 2023: 72.2%
Summerdale (Evening Program) 2 year average: 66.7%

NPTAE PASS RATE

Summerdale (Day Program) 2024: 87.5%
Summerdale (Day Program) 2023: 90%
Summerdale (Day Program) 2 year average: 89.3%

Summerdale (Evening Program) 2024: 77.8%
Summerdale (Evening Program) 2023: 90.9%
Summerdale (Evening Program) 2 year average: 85.0%

EMPLOYMENT RATE

Summerdale (Day Program) 2023: 100%
Summerdale (Day Program) 2022: 100%
Summerdale (Day Program) 2 year average: 100%

Summerdale (Evening Program) 2024: 90%
Summerdale (Evening Program) 2023: 93%
Summerdale (Evening Program) 2 year average: 92%

Program offered

On-ground – Day, Evening

In the news

Central Penn College Launches Innovative 2+2 Pathway for Aspiring Healthcare Leaders

Central Penn College, a leader in career-focused healthcare education, today announced the launch of a new 2+2 bridge program to empower healthcare professionals to seamlessly

Physical Therapy business partners trace roots to Central Penn College

Brian Cardin, PT, C.Ped., and Steve Miller, PT, C.Ped. became fast friends in the early ‘90s while studying to become physical therapy assistants at Central

Central Penn College to Offer Physical Therapy Assistant Program in Evenings

As the demand for physical therapy swells, Central Penn College will now be offering classes leading to a physical therapy assistant degree in the evenings

Courses

Anatomy and Physiology
Professional Behaviors for the Allied Health Professional
Fundamentals of Physical Therapy
Applied Kinesiology
Neurological Rehabilitation
Therapeutic Exercise

Admissions Requirements Accreditations

Careers you can pursue

Physical Therapist Assistant
Physical Therapist Aide
Physical Therapist
Athletic Trainer

You will succeed if you are...

Caring
Have Dexterity
Observant
Patient
Encouraging
Friendly
Outgoing
A good problem-solver

88.1%

88.1% of our graduates were employed in their chosen field or continuing their education within one year of graduation.

* Based on graduates whom we have information during a one-year period from 2022-23. It should be noted that 98.1% of graduates were employed in some capcity or continuing their education.

Academic Programs