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Gainful Employment

This information is provided as a federal requirement in an effort to help students make informed educational decisions. Specifically, Gainful Employment aims to provide information related to future potential debt burden in comparison to the expected earnings in a chosen program or field.
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Physical Therapist Assistant

Associate Degree - Two Years

Program/Certificate Code: 10-524-1

This program is offered in Eau Claire and can be started in August. This program is eligible for Financial Aid.

Watch Program Video

​Accreditation

This program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) of the American Physical Therapy Association. ​​​​​​​​​

Related Programs

Related Certificates

  • There are no related certificates
Description

If you are dependable, patient, empathetic, able to do some lifting, have good communication skills, and are interested in a career in the health field, the Physical Therapist Assistant program could be for you.

The program prepares you to become a physical therapist assistant in a hospital, nursing home, rehabilitation center, or other health care facility. You would assist the physical therapist
• Implement treatment programs.
• Teach patients to perform exercises.
• Conduct treatments using special equipment.

Physical therapist assistants are employed in physical therapy clinics, nursing care facilities, physicians' offices, general medical and surgical hospitals, and other health care settings. They also work for home health organizations and school systems. The need for physical therapist assistants is projected to grow due to the increased need for support personnel in health care and the shortage of physical therapists. This could be the program you're looking for!

The Physical Therapist Assistant program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) of the American Physical Therapy Association (1111 North Fairfax St., Alexandria, VA, 22314; Telephone: 703-706-3245; E-mail: accreditation@apta.org; Website: www.capteonline.org).

Courses
  • Course Number
  • Course Title
  • Credits
  • Available Sections
Minimum Program Credits Required - 70
Admissions Requirements

Admission Overview

The admissions process has been broken down into phases. Some programs only have one phase, while others have multiple phases.

Phase One: General Admission

  • If you have an international degree/diploma you must take the TOEFL® exam and receive a minimum score of 61 on the internet-based test, or 500 on the paper-based test. If you want to be included in a study group to prepare for the TOEFL exam contact Lynette Neibauer at 715-858-1892 or lneibauer@cvtc.edu.
  • Submit a Background Information Disclosure form, the Wisconsin Criminal History Single Name Record Request form, and a $20.00 background processing fee. View admission forms.

Entrance Assessment

A Bachelor's Degree or higher may be used as a substitution for an Entrance Exam (transcript required).

COMPASS Reading: 85 (required for admission)
COMPASS Writing: 60 (only used for course placement)
COMPASS Pre-Algebra: 45 (only used for course placement)
COMPASS Algebra: 35 (required for admission)
ACT Reading: 22
ACT English: 18 (only used for course placement)
ACT Math: 19

Phase Two

Students whose COMPASS® scores do not meet the minimum levels must re-test until they meet the required minimums.

Submit proof through a transcript that you have received a grade of C or better in the course(s) below.

  • Algebra
  • Biology
  • Chemistry
  • Submit proof of completion of Nursing Assistant training that includes a clinical component. Acceptable documentation is a Nurse Aide Directory card, a transcript or diploma from a technical college, training agency or nursing home.

Phase Three: Core Course Eligibility

Once you have successfully completed Phase One and Two you will either be accepted into your program, or placed on a waiting list if your program is full.

Applicants in the process of satisfying COMPASS® minimums and completing academic prerequisites coursework must submit a Core Course Eligibility Form (CCE Form) to the Admissions Office after all coursework is completed and grades have been processed.

Additional Requirements

A pre-entrance health history and physical examination must be on file three weeks prior to entering the core courses of this program. The Admissions Office will notify you at the appropriate time with a specified deadline.

Obtain and maintain current CPR certification by the American Heart Association (Healthcare Provider level) or the American Red Cross (Professional Rescuer level). Proof must be verified with a current CPR card. Class rosters, letters from instructors or employers, and on-line course certification are not acceptable. Your instructor will ask for a copy of your card on the first day of your clinical courses.

International Students

See our International Students website for more information.

Estimated Costs

2012-2013 Tuition & Fees

View a breakdown of additional fees, on our Tuition & Fees page.

  • $116.90 per credit (resident)
  • $175.35 (out-of-state resident)

Estimated Term Costs

1st Term
$2,069
2nd Term
$2,179
Summer Term
$761
3rd Term
$2,069
4th Term
$1,946

Additional Fees

Additional fees vary by program and may include tool boxes, shop/lab coats, safety glasses, parts room deposit, shirts, etc.

$61

Total Program Cost

The figure below is an estimate based on current tuition and fee rates and is intended for planning purposes only.

$9,085