Physical Therapist Assistant
Physical therapy is one of the most rapidly growing and rewarding careers, and the associate degree program at Mercyhurst can offer you the best education in the field. Our esteemed faculty will prepare you to become an important member of a health care team, where you will work under a physical therapist to provide hands-on care that helps improve mobility, relieve pain, and prevent or limit permanent physical disabilities of patients suffering from injuries or disease. Join the program today and do your part to help patients regain their strength and take back their lives.
Fast Facts
- PTAs are in high demand nationwide with a predicted growth of 26.5% over the next ten years.
- 95% of our recent PTA graduates found employment within one year.
- A scholarship opportunity exists for this program. Established in 2013 in memory of a PTA graduate, the Danny Bilski PTA Assistance Fund helps current PTA students continue and complete their studies in the field Danny was so passionate about.
Program Overview
The PTA program at Mercyhurst achieved initial accreditation in 1996 with the most recent ten-year reaccreditation received in 2021. With this accreditation firmly in place the program will prepare you for entry-level positions in physical therapy working as a PTA under the supervision of a licensed physical therapist. In addition to academic course work and vast clinical experiences it will help you develop your ability to think critically, solve problems, communicate effectively and become a complete well-rounded clinician and contributing member of society.
Credit Requirements
The degree requires a minimum of 71 credits. Each course in the specified curriculum (or transfer equivalent) must be included in this total. A GPA of 2.0 must be attained by the end of the freshman year and maintained for graduation. A minimum grade of C+ is required in PTA major courses.
Coursework
The curriculum includes a strong foundation in the basic sciences and technical coursework specific to physical therapy. The first semester consists of foundational coursework, with technical courses beginning in the second semester. Students will also take courses that will help to develop the ability to think critically, solve problems and communicate effectively. Click the Degree Requirements button below for a full listing of courses.
Clinical Experience
The clinical education sequence begins in the second year of the program. Students will complete three full-time clinical rotations in a variety of physical therapy settings to include outpatient physical therapy clinics, hospitals, rehab facilities, and nursing homes. Facilities are available throughout the country. Clinical experiences are progressive in nature with an expectation of entry-level ratings achieved by the end of the final clinical experience.
Learning Outcomes
- Demonstrate professional behaviors in all patient/client interactions, including simulated situations
- Perform interventions and data collection in a safe and effective manner as directed in the care plan and within the scope of practice of a physical therapist assistant
- Effectively monitor patient response to treatment and respond appropriately
- Utilize appropriate communication and documentation to aid in the effective operation of the Physical Therapy Department and the provision of physical therapy services
Admissions Requirements
In addition to Mercyhurst's standard requirements for admission, which include a high school diploma or GED, a minimum GPA of 2.5, and either an ACT, SAT or Mercyhurst Placement Test score that meet placement requirements for the program, individuals applying for admission to the Physical Therapist Assistant program are subject to the following standards:
- Applicant must be a high school graduate or GED recipient with minimum overall C+ average.
- Applicant must have completed high school courses in algebra, biology and chemistry, with a minimum grade of C in each course
- Applicants must demonstrate ability to complete Research and Writing and Introduction to Statistics the first semester of the program. If preparatory English or math courses are needed, a student could enter as a Liberal Studies major for their first year and complete remedial coursework prior to entering the PTA program.
- Applicant must complete a total of 20 hours of documented work or volunteer experience in two different physical therapy settings under the supervision of a licensed PT or PTA prior to the start of classes.
- Final official transcripts are required before the start of classes.
- All students enrolled in the program are required to complete the following prior to the clinical education courses:
- Criminal history clearances (state, FBI fingerprint, and child abuse)
- Drug screen
- Current physical examination and immunizations/titers
- TB screening (2-step)
- CPR certification
Mission
The Mission of the Physical Therapist Assistant Program is to educate competent physical therapist assistants with a commitment to serving the communities where they live. Our graduates will be prepared to provide high quality contemporary physical therapy services to patients/clients within the scope of practice of the physical therapist assistant under the supervision of a licensed physical therapist.
Career Outlook
Program graduates are employed at physical therapy settings throughout the country with many progressing to the level of department or regional managers. Some graduates have continued their education in a variety of fields including chiropractic, physician assistant, athletic training, biology, and doctor of physical therapy.
In the Classroom
Physical Therapist Assistant students participated in their first skills lab in our PTA 104: Introduction to Physical Therapy course. Students learned how to assess vital signs, such as heart rate, respiratory rate, oxygen saturation, and blood pressure. Pictured here, three students use a teaching stethoscope, which allows two people to listen at the same time when assessing blood pressure. The teaching stethoscope is used to assess accuracy when students complete their competency skill check. Mercyhurst’s Physical Therapist Assistant program prepares students for a highly dynamic, hands-on career in the field. From the first semester, classes are clinically oriented, teaching many of the foundational skills that students will use in their eventual careers.
Accreditation
The Physical Therapist Assistant Program at Mercyhurst University is accredited by:
Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE)
3030 Potomac Ave., Suite 100
Alexandria, Virginia 22305-3085
703-706-3245
accreditation@apta.org
If needing to contact the program/institution directly, please call 814-824-2988 or email jhaas@mercyhurst.edu.
Public Comment Policy
The Physical Therapist Assistant Program at Mercyhurst University actively seeks feedback about program, student, and graduate performance. Individuals are welcome to provide comments or concerns. Comments should be submitted to the PTA Program Director. If an individual would like to comment directly to the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), comments can be made via the CAPTE website.
My Mercyhurst Minute
Hear from Eileen about why she chose the PTA program!
Janice Haas, PTA, M.S.
Program Director, Physical Therapist Assistant
Colleen Hordych
Director, Graduate and Professional Admissions
Meet the Faculty
Physical Therapist Assistant
Jan Haas
Dean, School of the Health Professions, Director, Physical Therapist Assistant programs, Assistant Professor
Jason Balogh
Assistant Professor, Director of Clinical Education, Physical Therapist Assistant program
