6 Great Tips in Choosing Physical Therapist Assistant Schools

To become a physical therapist assistant, requires acquiring your degree/certificate from accredited physical therapist assistant schools. These schools are not only on-campus schools but there are many available online for students who are working and cannot go to school at the same time. Hence online schools have become increasingly popular because of their flexibility and affordability.

With so many physical therapist assistant schools offering PTA program, it is not an easy task to select one for oneself. You need to be very careful and attentive not to miss any aspect when deciding on the right school.

How to choose a school?

1. Be sure that the school is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA). Else your degree won't be accepted and you will not be allowed to practice legally in any medical setting.
2. Look for schools that are nearby if you can't go to far away schools. Depending on your lifestyle, now you also have the option to opt for online schools.
3. Another very important aspect to look into is the financials; whether you'll be able to afford the particular school. Search online for all these details regarding the school you wish to apply. Online program are less expensive as compared to the on-campus school programs.
4. The school should also inform its potential students about the educational process, program details and other relevant terms and conditions.
5. Read school reviews and find out its ranking. Find out its graduates' success rate. How well they're doing in the industry.
6. Be sure if the school's credentials are transferable to community college / university. This is important because if you decide to pursue a physical therapist program, so that you don't have to start all over again.

A complete list of accredited physical therapist assistant schools can be found on APTA's website.

These training programs usually take a couple of years. After completing the two year degree program, you are conferred with an Associate's Degree. Training requirements vary from state to state. Some states may also require some form of licensure or certification. These programs have been structured in a way to provide general medical education as well as specific physical therapy courses. Laboratory classes and clinical experience are also part of the program. Students are given the skills and knowledge needed to follow treatment plans, therapeutic techniques and procedures, functions of the human body. Students are also taught organizational as well as human behavior which is a major requirement of the job.

Hence, students at the physical therapist assistant schools are prepared and trained with the required skill set necessary to treat patients with mobility issues and help them have a better quality life.