Physical Therapist Assistant Program

San Juan College offers an On-Campus and Online Hybrid Physical Therapist Assistant Program leading to an Associate of Applied Science Degree. This program emphasizes the didactic and clinical skills necessary to become a Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA). Students who successfully complete the program will earn an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree and be eligible to sit for the National Physical Therapy Exam (NPTE) for Physical Therapist Assistants. Program graduates may continue their education toward a baccalaureate degree in Physical Therapist Assistant or various PTA Advanced Proficiency Pathways through the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA). Becoming a PTA is not a stepping stone to becoming a PT. However, there are “bridge” programs in the United States that may allow for a transition from a PTA to a DPT with specific additional requirements. Please contact the Physical Therapist Assistant Program for further information at (505) 566-3562, pta@sanjuancollege.edu, or visit https://www.sanjuancollege.edu/education-training/programs/physical-therapist-assistant-aas/.

The Physical Therapist Assistant Program is accredited by Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE). CAPTE can be contacted at 3030 Potomac Ave., Suite 100, Alexandria, VA 22305-3085; Telephone: (800) 999-2782; Email: accreditation@apta.org; Website: http://www.capteonline.org.

Physical Therapist Assistant is a selective major. Specific requirements must be met to declare a Physical Therapist Assistant major. Admission is limited and selective.

Minimum eligibility requirements:

To be eligible for the Physical Therapist Assistant Program selection process, students must:

• Apply to San Juan College and submit all official transcripts.
  • This is not the same as applying to and being accepted to the Physical Therapist Assistant Program. By applying to San Juan College, we can properly determine which prerequisite and general education courses will transfer. This is the first step, and without it, we cannot determine the eligibility of courses that you have taken. To apply go to www.sanjuancollege.edu/apply/. Declare your major as AA Liberal Arts/Pre-Physical Therapist Assistant.
• Meet with the SJC Health Science Academic Advisor for guidance on the prerequisite course sequence.
• Complete all prerequisite courses with a minimum “C” grade
  • Prerequisite courses must be completed before starting the PTA Program.
• Must have a prerequisite GPA of 2.75 or better and a college cumulative GPA of 2.0 or better.
  • Most successful candidates have a GPA of 3.00 or better.
• Review the PTA Application Steps and Application Instructions (found on the PTA webpage)
• Complete and submit the PTA Program Online Application (found on the PTA webpage), including the following:
  • Complete clinical observation hours (further information can be found in the PTA Application Instructions).
  • Complete admission essays based on the requested prompts (further information can be found in the PTA Application Instructions).
  • Complete the ATI TEAS Exam (further information can be found in the PTA Application Instructions).
    • Minimum overall score of 65.3% required
    • English and Science scores will be factored in. 
• Confirmation - It is the student’s responsibility to contact the San Juan College PTA Program at (505) 566-3562 or at pta@sanjuancollege.edu to confirm that the PTA Program has received all application materials BEFORE May 31st! The PTA Program business hours are from 8:00 am - 5:00 pm, MT, Monday - Friday.