Physical therapist assistant helps patient on stairs

 

The Associate in Science degree for the physical therapist assistant program at The Praxis Institute is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), 3030 Potomac Avenue, Suite 100, Alexandria, VA 22305-3085. The organization can be contacted by telephone at 800-999-2782, or by email at accreditation@apta.org.

If you need to contact the program directly, please call 305-642-4104 or email praxis@praxis.edu. Feedback or comments regarding the physical therapist assistant program can be directed to the Program Director, Dr. Nafeesah Khan, DPT, MSPT, in writing at 1850 SW 8th St., 4th floor, Miami, FL 33135 or email nafeesah.khan@praxis.edu.

Physical therapists are healthcare practitioners who evaluate physical conditions and alleviate pain and dysfunction. Their deep understanding of the human body’s integrated movement enables them to help patients heal. Under the supervision of a physical therapist, an assistant puts care plans into action, working one-on-one with patients of all ages and abilities. Students in the Miami, FL, area can earn an associate degree in our physical therapist assistant program at The Praxis Institute’s Miami, FL, campus.

What Do Physical Therapist Assistants Do?

As skilled healthcare providers, the physical therapist assistant guides patients as they enact their prescribed physical therapy program, assuring that patients perform exercises and techniques properly, recording visit data, and conferring with the physical therapist. Other duties include:

  • Observing patients and recording their status
  • Aiding patients with specific, prescribed exercises
  • Treating patients by assisting with their stretches and performing massage
  • Using walkers, exercise bands, and other physical aids to advance the patient’s therapy
  • Providing heat, cold, electrical impulses, and water therapies
  • Promoting wellness and injury prevention
  • Assisting with assessments and interventions
  • Educating patients and families regarding post-treatment activities
  • Collecting and recording data in the electronic health record

While physical therapists must complete postgraduate studies to earn a doctor of physical therapy degree, becoming a physical therapist assistant requires graduating from an accredited physical therapist assistant program, such as the five-semester curriculum offered at The Praxis Institute.

Job Opportunities for Physical Therapist Assistants

According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment for physical therapist assistants is projected to increase by 26% through 2031. This strong growth is reflected in a May 2021 median annual salary of $61,180. Throughout the healthcare sector, these professionals work in a variety of settings, including:

  • Hospitals and community health centers
  • Home health agencies
  • Skilled nursing facilities
  • Corporate and industrial health clinics
  • Sports medicine centers
  • Offices of physical therapists, occupational and speech therapists, audiologists, and physicians
  • Schools

Our Physical Therapist Assistant Program Curriculum

The 73-hour curriculum features courses in anatomy and physiology, kinesiology, psychology, patient care, documentation, testing, and measurements. Students also gain clinical experience. For more information about tuition costs and financial aid services, consult the CAPTE 2022-2023 PTA Student Financial Fact Sheet. Course requirements are as follows:

COURSE NUMBER 1ST SEMESTER CREDITS
ENC 101 English Composition I* 3
HSC 100 Anatomy & Physiology I (+Lab)* 3
HSC 103 Introduction to Psychology* 3
MAT 100 Institution College Algebra* 3
SPC 100 Basics of Speech Communication* 3
  TOTAL 15 credits
  2nd Semester  
HSC 102 Anatomy & Physiology II (+Lab)* 3
ENC 102 English Composition II* 3
PTA 100 Introduction to PTA 4
PTA 101 Kinesiology (+Lab) 4
PTA 202 Patient Care Procedures (+ Lab) 4
  TOTAL 18 credits
  3RD SEMESTER  
PTA 205 Pathological Conditions 5
PTA 220 Clinical Experience I 2
PTA 102 Physical Agents (+ Lab) 4
PTA 103 Intro to TE 1
PTA 203 Documentation, Test & Measurements (+ Lab) 4
  TOTAL 16 credits
  4TH SEMESTER  
PTA 208 Neuro-Rehabilitation (+ Lab) 4
PTA 200 Therapeutic Exercises I 3
PTA 221 Clinical Experience II 5
  TOTAL 12 credits
  5TH SEMESTER  
PTA 201 Therapeutic Exercise II (+ Lab) 4
PTA 222 Clinical Experience III 5
PTA 223 Seminar 3
  TOTAL

 

12 credits

* Courses offered online

Please note: This program is offered only at our Miami, FL, campus.

For more information about program goals and student learning outcomes, rules regarding the transfer of credits, and admission requirements, consult the Institutional Catalog. Admission is competitive among eligible applicants. Acceptance into the physical therapist assistant program is also determined through interviews, assessments, and demonstrated interest in the field.

The Associate in Science degree for the physical therapist assistant program at The Praxis Institute is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), 3030 Potomac Avenue, Suite 100, Alexandria, VA 22305-3085. The organization can be contacted by telephone at 800-999-2782, or by email at accreditation@apta.org.

If you need to contact the program directly, please call 305-642-4104 or email praxis@praxis.edu. Feedback or comments regarding the physical therapist assistant program can be directed to the Program Director, Dr. Nafeesah Khan, DPT, MSPT, in writing at 1850 SW 8th St., 4th floor, Miami, FL 33135 or email nafeesah.khan@praxis.edu.

Physical Therapist Assistant Program Outcomes

Program graduation and employment percentages, as well as the percentage of graduates passing the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE), are provided for the past several years:

PTA Program Outcomes

Graduation Year Group Number of Candidates Number of Passing Candidates NPTE Pass Rate Employment Rate
2023 First Time 12 4 33.3% 100%
Ultimate 12 7 58.3% 100%
2022 First Time 12 4 33.3% 100%
Ultimate 12 10 83.3% 100%
2021 First Time 10 4 40% 100%
Ultimate 10 5 50% 100%

Program Outcomes: Two-year Averages

  2-Year Averages NPTE Passage Rate 2 year Average Graduation Rates
2019-2020 80.8% 66%
2020-2021 61.4% 65%
2021-2022 54.2% 73%
2022-2023 66.65% 91%

Enroll in Our Physical Therapist Assistant Program

Does working as a physical therapist assistant sound like the right career for you? The Praxis Institute offers healthcare training to students in the Miami, FL, area. Contact us for more information about the physical therapist assistant program today.