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