Physical therapist assistants (PTA) provide direct client care under the supervision of a physical therapist and help improve mobility, relieve pain and prevent or limit permanent physical disabilities due to injury or disease.
Program options
- The program includes interactive classroom experiences along with 720 hours of supervised clinical rotations.
- Both programs have identical clinical experiences in local facilities. Web based learning is an excellent option for many students but it not for everyone and careful consideration should be taken before pursuing this option.
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Traditional option
- The PTA program offers a traditional classroom lecture program with labs beginning each fall semester.
- Once admitted the program is 4 semesters with the first 3 semesters typically meeting Monday through Thursday.
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Web based option
- The web based program where "lecture" materials are learned in a distance education format and the student spends 1-2 mornings a week in the lab for learning and examinations.
- Is web based learning is right for you? Visit MCC's Distance Education frequently asked questions page.
Program admission
Additional steps are required for acceptance into this program beyond the standard MCC admissions application. This is a 4 semester program (additional semesters of prerequisites) that accepts approximately 22 students in the on ground program and 14 students in the web based program annually.
If you have additional questions about the application process please email the PTA Program Coordinator Dr. Randy Leighton at randy.leighton@mcckc.edu.
Admission instructionsProgram Acceptance
Students accepted into the program will work directly with the program coordinator to determine next steps. Students not accepted into the program should contact the Student Advising Department or the MCC-Penn Valley Health Science Institute (healthcare@mcckc.edu) to determine next steps.
Accreditation
The PTA program at MCC-Penn Valley is accredited by:
MCC- Penn Valley PTA Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), 3030 Potomac Ave., Suite 100, Alexandria, Virginia 22305-3085; Call: 703.706.3245; email: accreditation@apta.org; website: capteonline.org.
If needing to contact the program/institution directly, please call Randy Leighton, MSPT, Ph.D. at 816.604.4808 or email randy.leighton@mcckc.edu.
This program meets the educational requirements for national board certification and licensure for Missouri and Kansas.
Careers
PTAs work in hospitals, outpatient clinics, sports clinics, rehabilitation centers, extended-care facilities and schools.
Bright outlook (9% 2022-32) for Physical Therapist Assistants with a 2023 median average
wage in Missouri of $61,310.
Visit Occupational Information Network (O*NET) to view salary information, employment outlook and personal characteristics needed for this career.
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Upon successful completion of the PTA program graduates are eligible to sit for the state licensure examination through the Missouri Board of Registration for the Healing Arts.
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PTAs interact directly with the clients to provide direct client care so they need to be personable, empathetic, motivators and educators.
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Physical strength, agility, quick reactions, strong verbal and written communication skills
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Visit the PTA Essential skills page to learn more.
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Students with instructional feedback or concerns should follow the feedback process outlined in the course syllabus. For other feedback please contact Renee Portmann, Dean of Health Sciences at 816.604.4232.
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PTA Program Graduation Year CAPTE Graduation Rate Web Based 2022 81.8% 2023 80% Average 80.9% Traditional Program 2022 83.3% 2023 75% Average 79.15% -
*student plans to retestPTA Program Graduation Year Licensure Pass Rate Web Based 2022 100% 2023 87.5% Average 93.75% Traditional Program 2022 86.7% 2023 87.5% Average 87.1% -
PTA Program Graduation Year CAPTE Graduation Rate Web Based 2021 100% 2022 100% Average 100% Traditional Program 2021 100% 2022 93% Average 96.5%