Physical Therapist Assistant

Riverside is proud to offer:

• A program leading to an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Physical Therapist Assistant
• Full-time Day option consisting of four 16-week semesters and one four-week summer semester (68 total weeks - two academic years) in addition to specified College-level prerequisite pre-admission courses - occasional evening and weekend hours my be required
• Theoretical instruction integrated with laboratory simulations and clinical experience
• Hands-on clinical experience in our modern medical center and a variety of affiliated clinical sites
• Financial aid for students who qualify
• Career Planning
• Association with Riverside Health Career Planning services for current students and alumni

Prerequisite College Courses/Credits

• Anatomy and Physiology with Lab - 4 Credits*
• English Composition - 3 Credits*
• College Math (any 100-level or higher) - 3 Credits*
• Psychology: Gen, Intro or Developmental - 3 Credits
• Medical Terminology - 3 Credits

*Applicants must have completed the Anatomy & Physiology with Lab, English Composition and College Math requirements before a formal application can be submitted and reviewed. Psychology and Medical Terminology must be completed before matriculation.

Preadmission Testing Requirements
ATI TEAS Suggested Score: 61.4% or higher
Average Accepted TEAS Score: 71.0%

Other Requirements

• The applicant must graduate from an accredited U.S. high school with a GPA of 2.0 or higher or have earned a high school equivalency (GED) certificate.
• Preadmission testing is required.
• Documentation of previous healthcare experience (including volunteer hours) is recommended.

Physical Therapist Assistant

• General Education Prerequisites: 15 credit hours
• RCHS Program Hours - Theory: 38.5 credit hours
• RCHS Program Hours - Lab: 11 credit hours
• RCHS Program Hours - Clinical: 15.5 credit hours

PROGRAM ACCREDITED BY:

• The Physical Therapist Assistant program at Riverside College of Health Sciences is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education of the American Physical Therapy Association (CAPTE)
  3030 Potomac Ave., Suite 100
  Alexandria, VA 22305-3085
  703-706-3245, www.capteonline.org
  Email: [email protected]
  If needing to contact the program/institution directly, please call 757-240-2200 or email [email protected].

NATIONAL CREDENTIALING:

• Graduates of the program are eligible to sit for the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) by the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT) to become licensed to practice as a Physical Therapist Assistant. Application for the exam is the student's responsibility and involves additional fees charged by the FSBPT. Additional information regarding the PTA exam may be obtained from:
• Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT)
  124 West Street South
  Third Floor
  Alexandria, VA 22314
  703-229-3100, www.fsbpt.org

STATE CREDENTIALING:

• To practice as a Physical Therapist Assistant in the State of Virginia, individuals must apply for licensure from the Virginia Board of Physical Therapy (VBOPT). Application for licensure is the student's responsibility and involves additional fees charged by VBOPT. Additional information regarding PTA licensure may be obtained from:
  Department of Health Professions Board of Physical Therapy Perimeter Center
  9960 Mayland Drive, Suite 300
  Henrico, Virginia 23233-1463
  804-367-4674
  www.dhp.virginia.gov/PhysicalTherapy
  RCHC Licensure Disclosure Information

INSTITUTIONAL CERTIFICATION:

• Certified by the State Council of Higher Education (SCHEV) to operate in Virginia.

SCHEV
101 N. 14th Street James Monroe Building
Richmond, VA 23219
804-225-2600, www.schev.edu

INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITATION:

• Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES)
  6116 Executive Blvd, Suite 730
  North Bethesda, MD 20852
  703-917-9503, www.abhes.org

RIVERSIDE REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER IS ACCREDITED BY:

• DNV GL - Healthcare
  400 Techne Center Drive Suite 100
  Milford, OH 45150
  www.dnvglhealthcare.com

Tuition Breakdown for Physical Therapist Assistant Program

• $350 per GEN/HLT credit
• $450 per PTA credit

Total Tuition: $28,200

Other Associated Costs

• Book Estimate: $1,405
• Uniform & Shoe Estimate: $150
• Supplies Estimate: $140
• Credentialing Estimate:$700

Physical Therapist Assistant Outcomes

Physical Therapist Assistant Acceptance & Matriculation Rates

Physical Therapist Assistant Financial Fact Sheet

In response to federal regulation 34CFR 668.43, the program has determined its curriculum meets the state educational requirements for licensure or certification in all states, the District of Colombia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, secondary for accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), based on the following:

CAPTE accreditation of a physical therapist or physical therapist assistant program satisfies state educational requirements in all states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Thus, students graduating from CAPTE-accredited physical therapist and physical therapist assistant education programs are eligible to take the National Physical Therapy Examination and apply for licensure in all states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. For more information regarding state qualifications and licensure requirements, refer to the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy website at www.fsbpt.org.