Physical Therapist Assistant – Associate of Science
Help people restore and maximize function.

Program Summary
- Program PDF
- Brookline College’s PTA program provides classroom and hands on learning of the most current concepts and practices in the physical therapy field to train future PTAs to have the knowledge and abilities to perform their role within the PT profession and under the direction and supervision of a Physical Therapist.
- Students receive instruction in specialized skills that will improve a patient’s mobility, minimize pain and promote wellness.
- Brookline College – Phoenix Campus is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE).
- Our program is designed to prepare students to pass the National Physical Therapy Exam to obtain licensure or certification required in the state of selected practice.
- “PTAs provide a variety of physical therapy techniques as they carry out the physical therapist’s plan of care for the patient, including therapeutic exercise, functional training, deep soft tissue massage, and physical modalities such as electrotherapy and ultrasound. PTAs may also assist the physical therapist by working with individuals to prevent loss of mobility by implementing fitness-and wellness-oriented programs for healthier and more active lifestyles.”(1)
- 570 new Physical Therapist Assistant jobs will be added in Arizona from 2014-2024.(2)
- 31% growth in Arizona from 2014-2024 which is much faster than the national average for all occupations.(2)
(1) American Physical Therapy Association, About Physical Therapist Assistant Careers
(2) https://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/31-2021.00
Employment Options
- Acute care hospitals, rehab and subacute hospitals
- Skilled nursing facilities
- Wellness/prevention/sports fitness facilities
- Hospice
- Home health
- Industrial or occupational employment facilities
- Local, state, and federal government facilities, such as the Veteran’s Administration
What classes will I take?
Here are just a few classes you will take during the Physical Therapist Assistant Associate Degree program:
- Kinesiology
- Patient Care Skills
- Therapeutic Exercise
- Neurologic Rehabilitation
What are typical class hours?
Breaks are scheduled after 50 minutes of instruction and last for 10 minutes.Current students at our Phoenix campus enjoy convenient access to our cafe, which offers a full menu of breakfast and lunch options 5 days a week.
Students also viewed
Here are just a few of the classes you will take during the Physical Therapist Assistant Associate Degree program:
Kinesiology
Therapeutic Exercise
Neurologic Rehabilitation
Orthopedic Rehabilitation
73 CREDITS – 1,645 CONTACT HOURS – 75 WEEKS
The program’s objective is to educate students in the most current concepts and practices in the physical therapy field; to train future PTAs to have the knowledge and abilities to perform their role within the PT profession and under the direction and supervision of a Physical Therapist; to graduate individuals who are safe, effective, ethical and productive members of the healthcare team; and to train future PTAs to be caring, considerate and compassionate individuals who respect the rights and dignity of the multicultural community.
Brookline College prepares students in the Associate of Science in Physical Therapist Assistant program to take certification and/or licensure exams related to their program of study.
Student Learning Outcomes:
Upon completion of the Associate of Science in Physical Therapist Assistant program, graduates will:
- Demonstrate the intellectual, clinical and professional skills and behaviors of an entry-level physical therapist assistant to provide current physical therapy services under the direction and supervision of a physical therapist.
- Demonstrate the clinical decision making and responsibility to be safe, ethical, effective and competent members of a health care team.
- Demonstrate behaviors that act in accordance with appropriate facility, state and federal statutes, and with the professional and ethical standards established by the American Physical Therapy Association.
- Demonstrate behaviors that prioritize patient care and hold the patient’s rights, privacy, and dignity in the highest regard, with an understanding of the needs of a multicultural society.
- Achieve an effective transition from the education program to successfully passing the NPTE to a career as a physical therapist assistant.
Residential Program Requirements:
Program Concentration – 58 Credits – 1195 Contact Hours | Credit Hrs | Lecture Hrs | Lab Hrs | Practicum |
---|---|---|---|---|
AP 101 Anatomy & Physiology | 6 | 75 | 30 | 0 |
PTA 100 Introduction to PTA and Ethics | 3 | 45 | 0 | 0 |
PTA 103 Documentation & Medical Terminology | 3 | 45 | 0 | 0 |
PTA 104 Kinesiology I | 3 | 30 | 30 | 0 |
PTA 105 Kinesiology II | 3 | 30 | 30 | 0 |
PTA 106 Patient Care Skills | 3 | 30 | 30 | 0 |
PTA 107 Therapeutic Exercise | 3 | 30 | 30 | 0 |
PTA 200 Pathology of Systems I | 3 | 45 | 0 | 0 |
PTA 201 Pathology of Systems II | 3 | 45 | 0 | 0 |
PTA 202 Neurologic Rehabilitation | 3 | 30 | 30 | 0 |
PTA 203 Orthopedic Rehabilitation | 3 | 30 | 30 | 0 |
PTA 204 Rehabilitation Across the Lifespan | 3 | 45 | 0 | 0 |
PTA 205 Physical Agent Modalities | 3 | 30 | 30 | 0 |
PTA 210 Physical Therapy Professional Issues | 2 | 30 | 0 | 0 |
PTA 301 Clinical Experience I | 2 | 0 | 0 | 80 |
PTA 302 Clinical Practice II | 6 | 0 | 0 | 280 |
PTA 303 Clinical Practice III | 6 | 0 | 0 | 280 |
General Education – 15 Credits – 225 Contact Hours | Credit Hrs | Lecture Hrs | Lab Hrs | Practicum |
---|---|---|---|---|
Open Science -Science/Bio/A&P | 3 | 45 | 0 | 0 |
Open English | 3 | 45 | 0 | 0 |
Open Math | 3 | 45 | 0 | 0 |
Open Soc Science -Social/Behavioral Science (Psych) | 3 | 45 | 0 | 0 |
Open Soc Science – Social/History/Political Science | 3 | 45 | 0 | 0 |
Total | 73 | 765 | 240 | 640 |
Your education is a big investment and Brookline College believes no investment offers more potential. A new career can transform your life, and we’re here to help you make that happen.
- At Brookline College there are no hidden costs. Our tuition includes books, supplies and all fees.
- Tuition: Please call or click Request Info to determine your cost.
- Program length: 75 weeks.
- More than 88% of Brookline College students use some form of financial aid(3) to help cover the cost of their education(4). That’s why we offer personalized counseling from a Student Finance Advisor to help make your college experience more affordable.
- We have also provided The Net Price Calculator that will provide preliminary, non-binding estimates of federal, state, and institutional aid eligibility based on federal methodology.
(3) Student loans, grants and scholarships are available to those who qualify.
(4) Percentage calculated by Brookline College for the 2015-16 school year.
We want to be sure your career goals are in line with your selected program of study. Our admission process will help you understand our programs and the career expectations in the field.
Five Simple Steps:
- Visit the campus. See what Brookline and the Physical Therapist Assistant program is all about.
- Complete a Visitor Information Form.
- Complete a financial aid interview to develop a financial plan.
- Complete the Enrollment Agreement with an Admissions Representative to include collecting all necessary documentation.
- Meet with the Director of Education, or an appropriate Department Director to discuss any unusual enrollment circumstances or accommodations needed to successfully complete the program.
Once all requirements have been completed, the Director of Admissions, Director of Education, and Campus Director reviews the application for approval. Applicants are notified of their acceptance promptly.
Accreditation is the recognition that an institution maintains the standards required to achieve the credentials for professional practice. It is the status granted to an institution that meets or exceeds specific criteria of educational quality as defined by the accrediting agency.
Institutional Accreditation: Brookline College’s Phoenix, Tucson, Tempe, and Albuquerque campuses are accredited by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES).
- Programmatic Accreditation: Programmatic accreditation, also known as specialized or professional accreditation, is designed for specialized departments, programs, schools, or colleges within a university or institution that has already received accreditation.
The Associate of Science – Physical Therapist Assistant Degree at Brookline College – Phoenix Campus is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE).
1111 North Fairfax Street
Alexandria, Virginia 22314
Telephone: 703-706-3245
Email: accreditation@apta.org
www.capteonline.org
for more information see http://www.capteonline.org/WhatWeDo/RecentActions/PublicDisclosureNotices/
If needing to contact the program/institution directly, please call 602-242-6265 or email jane.jackson@brooklinecollege.edu, Program Director.
PTA Program Outcomes | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2-year outcome based on (2018-2019) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Graduation Rate | 66.7% | N/A | 75% | 61.5% | 69.7% |
Ultimate Pass Rate | 81.8% | N/A | 91.7% | 100% | 94% |
1st Time Pass Rate | 63.6% | N/A | 83.3% | 100% | 88.9% |
Employment Rate | 100% | N/A | 100% | 100% | 100% |
Brookline College - Phoenix Campus
2445 W Dunlap Ave
STE 100
Phoenix, AZ 85021
(602) 242-6265
PhoenixCampus@Brooklinecollege.edu
M-Th 8:00AM – 7:00PM
F 8:00AM – 5:00PM
You will know what you’re going to pay right from the beginning and it won’t change during your education. That’s our promise to you.(5)
(5) Students who are required to repeat a course to fulfill graduation requirements are subject to additional expenses.You’ll learn from qualified instructors who are committed to your success in the classroom. With small class sizes, you’ll interact closely with your faculty as they teach, coach and mentor you through your time of study.
Understanding the options you have to pay for school is important, and without help it can be overwhelming. Our staff will guide you through the process. From scholarships and grants to loans, we’re here to help you understand how to search and apply for financial aid. Learn More
After graduation, we’ll help you with your career search with everything from resume writing help to job search support to interview tips.(6)
(6) Brookline College cannot guarantee employmentSee through the eyes of a Brookline Nursing student!
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