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Physical Therapist Assistant (Associate of Applied Science)

Memphis Metro Area

Play a Key Role in Giving Patients Back Their Lives

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.


  • 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.


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.


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

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!

*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.

**Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projected national growth in job openings for physical therapy assistants and aids 2021-2031 https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/physical-therapist-assistants-and-aides.htm Projections are national. Local job market demand may vary.

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

ᶛᶛClinical 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. 

20

Months*

24%

National Employment Demand (2021-2031)**

78.0

Credit Hours

360

Lab Hours

720

Clinical Hoursᶛᶛ

Get Started

Have an Associate Degree in Healthcare?
Currently Licensed Dental Hygienist?
Currently a Licensed Surgical Technologist?
Currently a Registered Nurse (RN)?
Currently a LDA or RDA?

Curriculum

Program Objective

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.

PTA Program Coursework

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.

PTA Course Topics

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

78.0

Semester Credits

Courses Include:

  • Anatomy & Physiology
  • Functional & Applied Anatomy
  • Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation
  • Pathology for Physical Therapist Assistant
  • Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation Lab

21.0

Block Credits^

Available to Transfer Students with Degrees in:

  • Kinesiology
  • Athletic Training
  • Health Sciences

CAPTE PTA Program Data:

CAPTE Physical Therapist Assistant Program Data

Student Learning Outcome Data

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)

*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.

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

ᶛᶛClinical 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. 

^Students who have successfully completed a degree in Kinesiology, Athletic Training, or other Health Sciences area (Associates or higher) may receive a block transfer of seven General Education courses totaling 21 semester credits, upon evaluation of transcript. The block transfer includes the courses: BIOL1310, BIOL1320, ENGL1310, COMM1310, PSYC1310, PSYC1320, MATH1310 (or MATH1320). The remaining credits required to complete the program is 57. Additional courses may be available for transfer based on review of course descriptions from the granting institution.

Career Outlook

Physical Therapist 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. 

24%
National Job Growth Projected from 2021-2031**

**Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projected national growth in job openings for physical therapy assistants and aids 2021-2031 https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/physical-therapist-assistants-and-aides.htm Projections are national. Local job market demand may vary.

 

Where Can a Physical Therapist Assistant Work***

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

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

Address and Hours

Memphis Campus

5100 Poplar Ave., Suite 132
Memphis, Tennessee 38137

PH: (901) 881-2694
FX: (901) 761-3293

Campus Hours of Operation

Monday8 am - 7 pm
Tuesday8 am - 7 pm
Wednesday8 am - 7 pm
Thursday8 am - 7 pm
Friday8 am - 5 pm
SaturdayBy Appointment
SundayClosed

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.

PTA Student Financial Fact Sheet

In order to assist students in selecting a program-of-study that best fits their academic and financial goals, please review the following resource:

2022-2023 Garden Grove PTA student financial fact sheet.pdf

Accreditation

The Physical Therapist Assistant program at Concorde Career College-Memphis 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: http://www.capteonline.org. If needing to contact the program/institution directly, please call 901-761-9494 or email KNovak@concorde.edu

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