Physical Therapist Assistant - Western Iowa Tech Community College
Western Iowa Tech Community College
Physical Therapist Assistant

Physical Therapist Assistant | AAS

Degree
Associate of Applied Science
Credits
72.5
Location
Sioux City
Estimated Program Costs Required Classes Entrance Requirements Licensure Information Physical Therapist Assistant Handbook TEAS Fact Sheet for Physical Therapy Admissions Create TEAS Account Physical Therapist Assistant Program Program Financial Fact Sheet
This program is eligible for free tuition

Accredited by the Commission in Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE). 

Physical Therapist Assistants (PTAs) work under the direct supervision of a physical therapist. You will treat patients who are recovering from injuries and illnesses to help them regain movement, manage pain, and return to doing things that are important to them. Treatments provided by PTAs may include exercise, ultrasound, manual techniques, and educating patients and family members. PTAs may also be involved in prevention of injuries and promoting health and wellness.

This program has additional entrance requirements. You must complete all requirements to be accepted into the program.

This program provides you with the knowledge and skills required to pass the National Physical Therapy Examination for PTA.

Program Goals

  1. Students will be able to communicate with and educate patients, caregivers, and others involved in patient care.
  2. Students will be academically prepared to practice under a physical therapist’s supervision in various settings.
  3. Graduates seeking positions in the field of physical therapy will be successfully employed.
  4. PTA faculty will provide contemporary education to meet the diverse needs of student learners.
  5. The PTA program will satisfy the employment needs of the communities we serve.
  2020 2021 Two-Year
Average
Graduation Rates (per CAPTE methodology) 86.7% 66.7% 76.7%
Employment Rates 100% 100% 100%
First-Time Licensure Pass Rates 57.1% 58.3% 57.7%
Ultimate Licensure Pass Rates 71.4% 75.0% 73.2%
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Meet Your Advisor

Fran DeJong
Fran DeJong
Admissions Representative
fran.dejong@witcc.edu
712.317.3345
Sioux City Campus, Admissions
Book an Appointment https://www2.witcc.edu/admissions/fran

Required Classes for Physical Therapist Assistant | AAS

SDV 108 The College Experience 1
BIO 168 Human Anatomy and Physiology I 4
PTA 104 Introduction to Physical Therapy 1
PTA 130 Activities of Daily Living 4
HSC 114 Medical Terminology 3
HSC 170 Health Care Interaction 2
ENG 105 Composition I 3
     
BIO 173 Human Anatomy and Physiology II 4
HSC 127 Kinesiology 4
PTA 170 Physical Therapy Science I 5
PTA 155 Pathology and Pharmacology for the PTA 4
     
MAT 772 Applied Math 3
SOC 110 Introduction to Sociology 3
PSY 111 Introduction to Psychology 3
     
PTA 270 Physical Therapy Science II 5
HSC 265 Clinical Neurology 2
PTA 189 Physical Agents 3
PTA 260 PTA Career Essentials 3
PSY 121 Developmental Psychology 3
     
PTA 451 Clinical Affiliation I 2.5
PTA 452 Clinical Affiliation II 3
PTA 453 Clinical Affiliation III 3
PTA 454 Seminar for PTA 3
PTA 455 PTA Licensure Exam Review 1

Entrance Requirements

All students must submit the following items for application to the program to be considered:

  • A copy of a Final Official High School, GED or HSED transcript with date of graduation. For applicants currently in high school, please present a current high school transcript and then later submit the Final Official High School Transcript with the date of graduation.
  • Official college transcripts of previously attended institutions.
  • ACT Scores (if completed) listed on HS Transcript or other official documentation.

All students must meet one of the following criteria for admission/acceptance into the PTA program:

Criteria 1 for Acceptance:

  • Verification of HS, GED, HSED official transcripts; AND
  • Documentation of 22 ACT composite/SAT 1100 or higher OR

Criteria 2 for Acceptance:

  • Verification of HS, GED, HSED official transcripts; AND
  • Documentation of TEAS composite score minimum of 60% OR

Criteria 3 for Acceptance:

  • Verification of HS, GED, HSED official transcripts; AND
  • Verification of current credentials in a health-related field with an Associate Degree or higher OR

Criteria 4 for Acceptance:

  • Human Anatomy and Physiology I and II with lab, with a grade of B- or higher within the past 5 years; AND
  • MAT-772 or equivalent or higher with a grade of B- or higher within the past 5 years
 

Meet Your Faculty and Staff

Amanda Heilman MHS, PTA
Amanda Heilman MHS, PTA
Administrative Program Coordinator, Program Director & ACCE
amanda.heilman@witcc.edu
712.317.3483
Sioux City Campus, A111
Linda Mercer DPT, PT
Linda Mercer DPT, PT
Physical Therapist Assistant Instructor
linda.mercer@witcc.edu
712.317.3136
Sioux City Campus, Room A109
Dr. Teri Peterson DNP, MSN, RN
Dr. Teri Peterson DNP, MSN, RN
Associate Dean - Health Sciences
teri.peterson@witcc.edu
712.317.3357
Sioux City Campus, Room L314
 

Estimated Program Costs

In-state tuition and fees: $14,645.00 *
Out-of-state tuition and fees: $15,080.00 *
Educational fees: $97.00/semester
Estimated books: $200.00/semester **
Estimated transportation and personal expense: $2,273.00/semester
Estimated student housing and meals: $3,275.00/semester

* This is an approximate cost based on tuition and fees set by the Board of Directors before each school year. Course level fees may also apply. Additional charges for licensure or credential testing may be a part of your program.
** The cost of books varies per program.

Accreditation Information

For the most current accreditation status, visit our program page.

The Physical Therapist Assistant program at Western Iowa Tech Community College is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), 3030 Potomac Ave. Suite 100, Alexandria, VA 22305-3085; telephone: 703.706.3245; email: accreditation@apta.org; website: www.capteonline.org

If needing to contact the program/institution directly:

Information on filing a formal complaint with CAPTE can be found at www.capteonline.org/complaints/.

Pursuant to United States Department of Education (US DOE) regulation 34 CFR 668.43 (a) (5) (v), the Western Iowa Tech Community College Physical Therapist Assistant Program Disclosure resulting in an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) provides the following information for all prospective and current students:

  • The program has determined that its curriculum meets the state educational requirements for licensure or certification in all states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands secondary to be awarded candidacy status by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education based on the following: 
  • CAPTE accreditation of a physical therapist or physical therapist assistant program satisfies state educational requirements in all states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Thus, students graduating from CAPTE-accredited physical therapist and physical therapist assistant education programs are eligible to take the National Physical Therapy Examination and apply for licensure in all states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. For more information regarding state qualifications and licensure requirements, refer to the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy website at www.fsbpt.org.
  • Per CAPTE rule 7.2, "all credits and degrees earned and issued by a program holding candidacy are considered to be from an accredited program."
  • Students are eligible to sit for licensure in all states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, but it is the responsibility of each student to investigate any additional requirements for licensure in any state other than Iowa.
  • This statement serves to meet the USDOE regulation until further notice.

Licensure Information

Examination and Licensure are the responsibility of the student.

For Iowa contact
The Board of Physical and Occupational Therapy Examiners Bureau of Professional Licensure
Iowa Department of Public Health
Des Moines, Iowa 50319-0075
Phone: 515.281.4401
https://idph.iowa.gov/licensure/iowa-board-of-physical-and-occupational-therapy

To obtain information regarding licensure boards of other states contact:

Educational licensure is met in the following states: Iowa
Educational licensure is not met for the following states: None
If not listed above, determination has not yet been made for the remaining states: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming
To view educational requirements for the state you wish to work, visit https://www.fsbpt.org/Free-Resources/Licensing-Authorities-Contact-Information