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Physical Therapist Assistant (Associate of Applied Science)

Memphis Metro Area

Watching a patient walk for the first time after an auto accident brings a great feeling of personal satisfaction that can be even more gratifying when shared with an entire rehabilitation team. A patient’s goal will become the team’s goal, and they will experience his or her achievements first hand.

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20

Months

78.0

Credit Hours

360

Lab Hours

720

Clinical Hours

Now Enrolling

  • Gain skills to help patients recover from injuries and illnesses, regain mobility, and manage pain.
  • Learn how to treat patients using a variety of techniques, including using devices and equipment and help educate patients and their families.
  • Complete your degree in as few as 20-months of study.  

Whether you're new to the field of physical therapy or studied kinesiology; you can find the education, practice and support needed to pursue this hands-on career with Concorde's Memphis campus.

Physical Therapist Assistant Career Overview

Physical therapist assistants (PTAs) work with Physical Therapists (PTs) to meaningfully impact the lives of clients through treatment of impairments in physical strength, mobility or balance resulting from injury to the musculoskeletal system, neurological disorders (e.g., stroke, arthritis) or aging.

Memphis Physical Therapist Assistant Program Overview

In Concorde’s physical therapist assistant program, you can gain the skills you need to perform these important functions. The program includes hands-on training and externships, teaching therapeutic exercises, functional, mobility and ambulation training, and activities of daily living.

Now Enrolling for the Physical Therapist Assistant Degree Program

Concorde's Memphis campus campus is seeking dedicated students who want to:

  • Learn to help patients recover after surgery or injury to regain mobility and freedom
  • Prepare for career opportunities in clinics, private practices, rehab care, in-home care, and more
  • Complete the associate degree program in as few as 20-months  

Get started by scheduling an in-person or virtual  Career Planning Session  with Concorde today to find out if the pharmacy technician diploma program is right for you!

  1. **Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projected national growth in job openings for physical therapy assistants and aides 2023-2033 https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/physical-therapist-assistants-and-aides.htm. Projections are national. Local job market demand may vary.

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Curriculum

  • 78.0

    Semester Credits

    Practical Hands-On Education

    Learn theory and take it into the lab to hone your knowledge then apply it in real-world clinical settings helping real patients.

  • 18.0

    Block Credits

    Available to Transfer Students with Degrees in:

    • Kinesiology
    • Athletic Training
    • Health Sciences

  • 360

    Lab Hours

    Applied Learning

    Leverage theory and general study curriculum in practice through lab work

  • 720

    Clinical Hours

    Real-World Application

    Taking what you've learned online, in the classroom and practiced in the lab; now apply it in a professional health care setting working directly with licensed physical therapists and other care experts

  1. Students who have successfully completed a degree in Kinesiology, Athletic Training, or other Health Sciences area (Associates or higher) containing a minimum of three semester credits of anatomy & physiology may receive a block transfer of six General Education courses totaling 18 semester credits, upon evaluation of transcript. The block transfer includes the courses: BIOL1320, ENGL1310, COMM1310, PSYC1310, PSYC1320, MATH1310 (or MATH1320). The remaining credits required to complete the program is 60.

Our associate degree program equips you to pursue a career as a physical therapist assistant in as few as 20-months. When you graduate, you’ll be able to serve effectively in a variety of settings supporting physical therapy treatments, including outpatient settings (sports, orthopedic and specialized rehabilitation centers), inpatient acute care hospital and rehabilitation departments, skilled nursing facilities, wellness centers, home healthcare and more.

You will gain the theoretical knowledge and practical, hands-on experience to help you pursue a career as a physical therapist assistant. Your coursework is intense and challenging; and your instructors, program director and campus staff are dedicated to support you along the way.

  • Therapeutic exercises
  • Functional training
  • Mobility training
  • Ambulation training
  • Activities of daily living

You will gain the theoretical knowledge and practical, hands-on experience to help you pursue a career as a physical therapist assistant. Your coursework is intense and challenging; and your instructors, program director and campus staff are dedicated to support you along the way.

  • Anatomy and Physiology
  • Elements of Human Communication
  • Human Growth and Development
  • Functional and Applied Anatomy
  • Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation
  • Pathology for the Physical Therapist Assistant
  • Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation Lab

Concorde's approach to delivering a hands-on career focused physical therapist assistant program curriculum leverages a blended learning model.

  1. You will complete some coursework and lab assignments conveniently online.
    • With support from a dedicated online success coach to help you get accustomed to virtual learning.
  2. Additionally you will visit the campus to apply theory to practice in simulation labs.
    • With guidance from instructors with real-world experience you will learn to use the tools and instruments, as well interpret scan results. 
  3. The third element of Concorde's blended learning model is practical hands-on application in a health care setting. - the Clinical Experience.
    • Your clinical experience provides  a variety of cases and medical professional interactions - helping you better prepare for a career as a physical therapist assistant.

The Physical Therapist Assistant Department has determined the fundamental Student Learning Outcomes (SLO) that are reflected throughout the program and directly related to the student educational objectives.

Graduates of the Physical Therapist Assistant Program will be able to:

  1. Communicate effectively and respectfully with those diverse groups of people with whom a physical therapist assistant has routine contact in order to foster the achievement of therapeutic and organizational goals. (7D7)
  2. Demonstrate behaviors that indicate an awareness/understanding of individual and cultural differences and their impact on health care delivery, as well as the ability to alter his or her actions appropriately in response to identified individual and cultural differences in order to foster the achievement of therapeutic and organizational goals. (7D8)
  3. Demonstrate behaviors that indicate a commitment to the physical therapist assistant’s roles and responsibilities in the profession of physical therapy (see APTA’s Values Based Behaviors for the Physical Therapist Assistant). (7D1, 7D2, 7D3, 7D4, 7D5, 7D6, 7D13)
  4. Competently (safely, effectively and efficiently) administer delegated physical therapy plan of care elements under the direction and supervision of a licensed physical therapist. (7D9, 7D10, 7D12, 7D15, 7D16, 7D17, 7D18, 7D23, 7D24, 7D19, 7D20, 7D21, 7D22, 7D25, 7D26)
  5. Competently (safely, effectively and efficiently) implement programs of instruction intended to accomplish pre-established goals for patients, family members, caregivers, other healthcare providers or members of the public. (7D12)
  6. Competently (safely, effectively and efficiently) participate in the regular administrative functions of his or her health care organization. (7D27, 7D28, 7D29, 7D30, 7D31)
  7. Demonstrate the capabilities necessary to engage in career development and life-long learning in order to maintain continuing competence as a physical therapist assistant. (7D11, 7D14)

  1. Students who have successfully completed a degree in Kinesiology, Athletic Training, or other Health Sciences area (Associates or higher) containing a minimum of three semester credits of anatomy & physiology may receive a block transfer of six General Education courses totaling 18 semester credits, upon evaluation of transcript. The block transfer includes the courses: BIOL1320, ENGL1310, COMM1310, PSYC1310, PSYC1320, MATH1310 (or MATH1320). The remaining credits required to complete the program is 60.

Career Outlook

Physical Therapy Assistant Career Outlook 

The national demand for physical therapist assistants is expected to grow over the coming decade as greater attention is placed on rehabilitation and preventive care. 

Where Can a Physical Therapy Assistants Work

  • Inpatient hospital settings
  • Skilled nursing facilities 
  • Rehabilitation centers 
  • Government hospitals 
  • Convalescent hospitals 
19%

National Employment Demand (2023-2033)

  1. Concorde does not guarantee admittance, graduation, subsequent employment or salary amount.

Address and Hours

Memphis Campus

Campus Hours of Operation

  • Monday - Thursday 8 am - 7 pm
  • Friday 8 am - 5 pm
  • Saturday By Appointment
  • Sunday Closed
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Financial Aid

As part of our commitment to your success, Concorde ensures that you have access to comprehensive information and guidance in navigating the financial aid process. Concorde offers financial aid and scholarship programs to those who qualify.

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Financial Aid

Get financial support for your education with our dedicated financial aid team by your side.

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Scholarships

Find the perfect scholarship for your health care goals based on your background, programs or other criteria.

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Institutional Accreditation and Licensure

Accreditation and licensure are an important part of an academic institution’s operation.

Visit our Accreditations and Licensure page for more details about our accreditations and licensure.


PTA Fact Sheet

Program Outcomes

Frequently Asked Questions

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At Concorde, you can complete your Physical Therapist Assistant degree in as few as 20 months. Please check with an admissions advisor for program length information.

Contact us to find out when the Physical Therapist Assistant program starts at a Concorde campus location near you.

According to BLS.gov, the National Employment Demand (2022-2032) for the Physical Therapy Assistant job field is projected to grow 19%. As the need for therapy for those with disabling medical conditions continues to increase, the amount of physical therapist assistants is expected to continue to grow.

**Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projected national growth in job openings for physical therapy assistants and aides 2023-2033 https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/physical-therapist-assistants-and-aides.htm. Projections are national. Local job market demand may vary.

Become a physical therapist assistant to work one-on-one with patients while watching them make progress through treatment. Whether the issue was due to an injury or disease, physical therapist assistants help their patients return to maximum function. Enjoy working long-term with individuals and form rewarding relationships.

Concorde incorporates real-world training and off-site clinical experiences in our Physical Therapist Assistant programs.

For program-specific tuition information, please see the campus catalog.

At Concorde, you can complete your Physical Therapist Assistant degree in as few as 21 months. Please check with an admissions advisor for program length information.

Contact us to find out when the Physical Therapist Assistant program starts at a Concorde campus location near you.

For program-specific tuition information, please see the campus catalog.
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  1. Program length may be subject to change dependent on transfer credits and course load. Please refer to current course catalog for more information. Concorde does not guarantee admittance, graduation, subsequent employment or salary amount.

  2. Professional certification is not a requirement for graduation, may not be a requirement for employment nor does it guarantee employment.

  3. Financial aid is available to those who qualify but may not be available for all programs. Concorde does not guarantee financial aid or scholarship awards or amounts.

  4. Clinical hour requirements and delivery may vary by campus location and may be subject to change. Concorde does not guarantee clinical site assignments based upon student preference or geographic convenience; nor do clinical experiences guarantee graduation, post-clinical employment or salary outcomes.

  5. Registration and certification requirements for taking and passing these examinations are not controlled by Concorde, but by outside agencies, and are subject to change by the agency without notice. Therefore, Concorde cannot guarantee that graduates will be eligible to take these exams, at all or at any specific time, regardless of their eligibility status upon enrollment.

  6. Externships are a non-paid in-person learning experience, whose length and location may be subject to change. Concorde does not guarantee externship placement, graduation, post-externship employment or salary outcomes.