Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA)

Graduation Requirements (A Minimum of 77 Credits)

The Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) program will provide the students with the knowledge and skills necessary to perform as a competent, safe, and ethical PTA. The students will learn and apply techniques that will improve mobility, relieve pain, and prevent or limit permanent physical disabilities to patients in clinical settings. Graduates from this program will be eligible to take their national licensure exam. FNU grants an Associate of Science upon completion.

Additional Program Information

Mission & Learning Outcomes

The Mission of the Physical Therapist Assistant Program is to prepare students to enter the field of Physical Therapy by educating skilled, compassionate and confident entry-level Physical Therapist Assistants who are culturally competent, forward thinking and lifelong learners so they may capably assist physical therapists to successfully address the rehabilitation needs of the patients of the community. The program embraces the mission of the university maintaining the highest standard of education and providing students with the tools, instruction and guidance necessary to succeed as a physical therapist assistant in a continually evolving healthcare system.

The Program specifically supports the mission of the university by imparting the necessary knowledge, critical thinking and clinical skills to the students as required for them to thrive in the field of Physical Therapy along with promoting service learning and preparing them for successful licensure.

Learning Outcomes

Graduates will interpret and successfully carry out a plan of care as designed by the supervising Physical Therapist using foundational knowledge, evidence based practice, understanding of contemporary medical management approaches, and effective inter-professional communication skills.

Graduates will exhibit cultural competency through effective and culturally sensitive clinical decision making, and verbal and non-verbal communication skills in all settings.

Graduates will provide physical therapy services and interventions, as directed by the supervising PT, in a safe, legal, ethical and compassionate manner including: appropriate resource management, accurate documentation and billing practices, while acting with integrity and accountability.

Graduates will demonstrate commitment to life-long learning through the use of a career development plan and by participating in the American Physical Therapy Association or other professional organizations.

Graduates will conduct themselves in a manner that reflects respect for their colleagues, commitment to patient advocacy, an obligation to meet the needs of the patients and community they serve and a desire to continually improve their organization.

Graduates will competently collect data, utilize critical thinking and problem solving skills, to promote patient progression within the scope of the PT plan of care, and address patient needs as they arise to foster a successful PT-PTA team approach to patient centered care.

Graduates will provide education as directed by the PT to patients, colleagues, or other healthcare providers regarding the field of physical therapy, the role of the PTA; along with health and wellness promotion using a variety of teaching strategies to reach the intended audience.

Program Accreditation Status

The Physical Therapist Assistant Program at Florida National University is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), 3030 Potomac Ave., Suite 100, Alexandria, Virginia 22305-3085; telephone: 703-706-3245; email: accreditation@apta.org; website: http://www.capteonline.org. If you need to contact the program/institution directly, please call (305) 821-3333 ext. 1051 or email ptaprogram@fnu.edu.

Admission and Academic Requirements

A prospective student must meet all admission requirements predetermined by Florida National University. In addition, the admission policies and procedures for the PTA Program are explained in the Program’s Handbook.

Program Curriculum

See the University Catalog for program curriculum and additional information.

Outcomes Data

2022-2023 Two-year Averages

Acceptance Rate: 86%

Retention/Graduation Rate: 86%

NPTE-PTA Ultimate Pass Rate: 52%

Job Placement Rate: 55%

Faculty

The program utilizes full-time core and adjunct faculty currently active in the field to bring real-world perspectives to the students. Learn more about our faculty in the Program’s Handbook.