PHYSICAL THERAPIST ASSISTANT (PTA), Associate of Applied Science Degree

Physical therapy is a branch of health care that addresses illnesses or injuries that inhibit a person’s ability to perform functional activities.

Physical Therapist Assistants (also referred to as PTAs) work under the direction and supervision of a physical therapist to contribute to overall patient care and are the only other health care community members who are qualified and licensed to provide physical therapy services.

Physical therapist assistants perform tasks like observing patients before, during, and after therapy; helping patients with specific exercises as prescribed by the supervising therapist; using assistive devices and equipment; discussing specifics of the treatment plan with patients and family members, and utilizing therapeutic interventions like massage, stretching, and gait and balance training. They also have to ensure that they record patient performance and progress and report to the physical therapist to ensure that the treatment is effective.

All states require physical therapist assistants to be licensed or certified, and that starts with earning an associate degree from a qualified, accredited school like Casa Loma College.

At Casa Loma, we also ensure that graduates of our Physical Therapist Assistant program have a clear understanding of the PTA role that is consistent with both the laws and regulations of the jurisdictions in which they practice and the American Physical Therapy Association’s Guide for the Conduct of the Physical Therapist Assistant.

The Associate of Applied Science Degree in Physical Therapist Assistant at Casa Loma is a five-semester blended learning program that combines classroom work with in-person, hands-on training in both labs and clinical practicums. Our PTA faculty are all currently licensed professionals, up to date on all their competencies and requirements, focused on ensuring they deliver the most up-to-date education utilizing the latest teaching tools and techniques.

Our physical therapist assistant courses cover topics like:

Medical terminology

PTA techniques

Pathophysiology

Evidence-based practices

Clinical biomechanics for the upper and lower extremities

Cardiopulmonary path and intervention

Lifespan development

PT for special populations

Physical therapy modalities

Suppose you are interested in playing a vital role in the long-term health and care of your community. In that case, Casa Loma College can prepare you to get started in one of the fastest-growing, most in-demand career paths with our Associate of Applied Science Degree in Physical Therapist Assistant. In under two years, you could be trained and ready to apply for a state license and seek employment in a wide variety of health care organizations and facilities.

Casa Loma College is a private institution and approved to operate by the California Bureau for Private Post-secondary Education.

Casa Loma College is dedicated to providing the highest standard of education, service, and excellence in allied health disciplines. Our programs are designed to respond to our students' changing needs by creating effective means of instruction that expand access to learning and provide opportunities for adults to develop the knowledge and skills necessary to achieve their professional goals.

Casa Loma College believes that education is a continuous process. It allows an individual to pursue learning activities necessary for personal and professional growth.

The College awards the following degrees: RN to BSN Bachelor of Science in Nursing, B.S. Allied Health Leadership and Management, Associate of Science Diagnostic Medical Sonography; Associate of Applied Science in Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Associate of Applied Science in Physical Therapist Assistant.

We are very proud of our students' success. We believe their success is a result of the high-quality education and training at Casa Loma College, our committed instructors and administrators, and the resources we provide to every student.

As a private non-profit California Corporation, Casa Loma College is governed by a Board of Regents.