AS-PTAP - AS in Physical Therapist Assistant

This program offers a sequence of courses that provides coherent and rigorous content aligned with challenging academic standards and relevant technical knowledge and skills needed to prepare for further education and careers as Physical Therapist Assistant.

The Physical Therapist Assistant Program at Northwest Florida State 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 (850) 863-6511 or email pta@nwfsc.edu.

Certain programs are labeled as selective and require applicants to fulfill additional requirements before being accepted. Furthermore, there may be a limited number of available seats in the program. Please review the additional criteria provided below and visit the programs website for any further information.

The Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) Program is a two-year selective admission program leading to an Associate in Science (A.S.) degree in Physical Therapist Assistant. Admission is competitive, with a new cohort selected each fall to begin the Technical Phase in the spring semester. Cohort size is determined by job market demand and clinical site availability. To be eligible for consideration, applicants must submit a Technical Program application and complete or be enrolled in all five required general education courses, achieving a minimum grade of C in each and maintaining a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher across these courses. If the number of eligible applicants exceeds available spots, a selective admission points system will be used, as outlined in the program application packet. Selected applicants will receive conditional acceptance pending verification of academic requirements, successful completion of a background check, and drug screen. Prior to clinical rotations, students must provide proof of required immunizations and current CPR certification.

The PTA Program provides students with the knowledge, skills, and clinical experiences necessary to become competent Physical Therapist Assistants. Graduates are eligible to apply for licensure and take the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE). As a selective admission program governed by specific policies, students are strongly encouraged to work with an Academic Advisor for guidance. Admission requirements are subject to change, and prospective students should review the most current information on the PTA Program website. For additional information, contact the PTA Department at (850) 863-6511 or pta@nwfsc.edu.