Help Patients Feel Better through Movement

A physical therapist assistant (PTA) is an important part of a physical therapy care team. Working under the direction of a physical therapist, the PTA works with patients on exercises, movements, therapy, and treatment to help reduce pain, recover from injuries, and improve mobility.

As a PTA, you will observe patients, help them with movements and exercises, and use treatments such as massage or stretching. You may also prepare physical therapy spaces and equipment, communicate with patients and families, and teach patients what to do at home to support their care plan.

Many PTAs work in hospitals or rehabilitation centers, but you may also work with a physical therapist in a private clinic or home healthcare.

adjustment of the arm position of person lying down on a padded table

Faculty Contact

Dr. Carol Wilson-Robbins Program Director Health Professions & Athletics Center
Room 203D
410-822-5400 ext. 2363
[email protected]

2
Years to Complete
(full-time student)
15:1
Student-Faculty
Ratio
$10,000
Tuition
(in-county)

This program will prepare you for a career as a physical therapist assistant. You will learn the skills you need for the National Licensure Physical Therapy Examination for Physical Therapist Assistants.

The Physical Therapist Assistant program is administered by the Chesapeake Area Consortium for Higher Education (CACHE) comprised of Anne Arundel Community College (AACC), Chesapeake College and the College of Southern Maryland (CSM).

Students complete the general education requirements at Chesapeake College. Physical therapist assistant classes are held at AACC. Clinical practice rotations are completed at local service areas when possible.

Students who complete the two-year, five-term program receive an Associate of Applied Science degree. Graduates are eligible to take the National Licensing Examination for Physical Therapist Assistants.

The physical therapist assistant A.A.S. degree program is for students who:

  • Want to seek employment as a physical therapist assistant
  • Important: This program has specific admission requirements. Please see the College Catalog, speak to an advisor, or review the Application Process below for more information. After the first semester, this program must be completed as a full time student with a minimum of 12 credits per semester.

When you complete this program, you will know how to:

  • Assist a physical therapist in the delivery of selected interventions consistent with the standards of practice of the profession.
  • Use critical thinking and problem solving skills to perform tasks within the plan of care developed by the physical therapist.
  • Teach patients, families and other health care providers selected treatment interventions and participate in discharge planning under the direction and supervision of a physical therapist.
  • Provide psychosocial support to patients and families.
  • Utilize effective communication skills when interacting with patients, families and other interprofessional team members.
  • Be prepared to take the National Licensure Physical Therapy Examination for Physical Therapist Assistants.

The application period for this program is from January 1 through April 30 for  admission into the Fall cohort.

Admission to this program is limited, therefore, selection is competitive.

Application Process

Attend an Information Session
To learn more about the program—including the curriculum, costs, schedule, application and admissions procedures—attend an information session. Also provided is information related to criminal background checks, drug and urine testing, CPR and Health requirements, and more.

To attend a session, click on the button below at the time noted, and use Passcode 634035.

Wed., December 11, 2024 5:00–6:00 p.m. Wed., March 5, 2025 11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Tues., January 21, 2025 5:00–6:00 p.m. Mon., April 7, 2025 11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Mon., February 3, 2025 11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. Wed., May 14, 2025 5:00–6:00 p.m.
Mon., February 24, 2025 6:00–7:00 p.m. Wed., June 4, 2025 5:00–6:00 p.m.
Apply to Chesapeake College

Completing our online application is always the first step. Chesapeake is an open admissions institution, with start dates in spring, summer, fall and winter. Once your application has been submitted, you’ll receive an email confirmation with additional details for submitting your supplemental items, including information about Placement Testing (as needed), Official Transcripts, and other important documentation. (Check in your SPAM folder if you don’t see it in your inbox.)

Complete the Program Application

Once you’ve applied to the College (step 1 above), you must also apply to the program. Admission into this program is competitive. Please complete the program-specific application at the link below. Note that this application requires academic information that can be found on your high school (or college) transcripts. 

APPLICATION OPENS JANUARY 1

Financial Aid & Scholarships

It’s never too early to explore the many financial aid and scholarship options available to you. Regardless of your financial situation, it is so important to first complete the Federal Application for Student Aid (FAFSA). Completing the FAFSA allows us to offer you the greatest possible amount of financial aid. Once your FAFSA is complete, be sure to apply for scholarships from the Chesapeake College Foundation. One application opens up the door to hundreds of potential scholarships.

Attend Pre-Selection Meeting
Attend the pre-selection meeting in April– details will be provided once the application is submitted.

*Applicants from our five county service region will be given first priority.

Pay & Prep
Pay either at the time of registration, or by the due date on your bill. Deferred tuition payment plans are available to students whose bills exceed $100. Before the semester begins, buy your textbooks and other needed supplies, check out the location of your courses, and get ready for your first day of class by attending a New Student Orientation session.

PTA Admission & Selection Info

Students conditionally accepted to the physical therapist assistant program will be required to complete the Health Examination Record. Once a physician certifies that the candidate meets the technical standard requirement (below) as established by the program, and the department receives and concurs with the physician’s certification, the candidate will be considered to have met the technical standard requirement.

Qualification: Good physical and mental health.

Student must be free of contagion and possess sufficient physical stamina with or without reasonable accommodations and mental stability to fulfill the requirements of the program and the customary requirements of the profession.

  • Work for 8 –1 2 hours performing physical tasks requiring sufficient strength and motor coordination without jeopardy to patient and student safety as, for example, bending, lifting, turning and ambulating patients.
  • Perform fine movements and to be able to manipulate instruments and a wide variety of equipment according to established procedure and standards of speed and accuracy.
  • Establish and work toward goals in a consistently responsible and realistic manner.
  • Have auditory ability sufficient to monitor and assess health needs (for example: communicate verbally, in an effective manner, with patients and other personnel).
  • Have visual ability sufficient for observation and assessment necessary for patient care (for example: read and process patient-related information like patient charts and requisitions).

The criteria used to select Conditional Acceptance and Wait List candidates will be applied in the following order:

  1. Applicants who meet the April 30 application deadline.
  2. Residents of the following counties will have first priority: Caroline, Dorchester, Kent, Queen Anne’s, and Talbot counties on Maryland’s Upper Eastern Shore.
  3. Satisfactory completion of the academic/admission requirements.
  4. Highest number of points attained in the General Education Course Point System (below).
  5. Courses passed by CLEP Exam will be awarded the maximum number of points.
  6. The highest overall adjusted GPA for General Education courses required in the Physical Therapist Assistant Program (including AP scores and transfer grades).
  7. The highest GPA in math and science courses required in the program or high school math and science courses.
  8. The longest continuous enrollment at the College (spring and fall semesters continuously).
  9. The date and time the application is submitted.

Final acceptance into the program shall be contingent upon satisfactory completion of a criminal background check and satisfactory completion of a health examination record.

Each General Education course required for the program completed with a grade of “C” or better will be counted towards the final score.

  • The score for each course is the product of the # of credits for the course, times a numerical score for the final letter grade achieved in the course.
    •  “A” is worth 4 points
    • “B” is worth 3 points
    • “C” is worth 2 points

Instructions: To calculate your total score, multiply column 2 (# of credits) by the numerical grade and enter your score. Add all the scores in column 4 for your total score.

Required Gen Ed Course Credits X Final Grade
A=4
B=3
C=2		 = Score
ENG 101 3 X =
MAT 113 3 X =
BIO 211 4 X =
BIO 212 4 X =
PSC 150 3 X =
PSC 250 3 X =
Arts & Humanities 3 X =
Maximum Total 23 X = /92

All health sciences students who are offered admission and/or clinical placement will be required to submit to a complete criminal background check and urine drug screen. All student applicants’ final acceptance in the program shall be contingent upon satisfactory completion of a criminal background check and of a urine drug screen.*

All communication regarding acceptance shall state that the acceptance is conditional and contingent on submission to a criminal background check and urine drug screen—as may be required by the program—that results in satisfactory reports. If an accepted student tests positive for an illegal or un-prescribed drug, the student shall be denied admission or terminated from any health sciences program.

Separate, additional criminal background checks and urine drug screens may be required by clinical sites prior to placements. Students with an unsuccessful background check or urine screening who are denied by a clinical site that is required to meet program competencies shall be dismissed from the program and their registrations shall be withdrawn from courses related to the program of study. If the student tests positive for an illegal or un-prescribed drug, the student shall be denied admission or terminated from any health sciences program even if a denied placement was not required to meet program competencies. Successful reports of criminal background checks and urine drug screens do not assure eligibility for specific clinical site placement, program completion, and/or eligibility to sit for professional licensure/board examinations.

Students are reminded that licensing boards for certain health care occupations and professions may deny, suspend, or revoke a license or may deny the individual the opportunity to sit for an examination even if the individual has completed all program course work if it is determined that an applicant has a criminal history or has been convicted of, or pleads guilty, or pleads nolo contendere or the like to a felony or other serious crime.

Successful completion of a health sciences program of study at your home college does not guarantee licensure, the opportunity to sit for a licensure examination, certification or employment in the relevant health care occupation.

Students may be automatically denied admission or, if enrolled, dismissed from the program if they have not been truthful or have provided inaccurate information on the application or on any other form or submission. Students who have questions or concerns are encouraged to contact the Health Sciences Admissions Office at [email protected].

* Notwithstanding the statements herein regarding urine drug screens, as of September 2010, only certain programs will be requiring drug screening. AACC shall inform students which programs presently require them. However, AACC, at any time, has the right, upon notice, to require any and all students in any and all programs to comply with drug screening. *At this time, the CACHE PTA Program does not require drug screening for admission.

NOTE: Licensing boards for certain health care occupations, including PTA, may deny, suspend, or revoke a license or may deny the individual the opportunity to sit for an examination even if the individual has completed all program course work, if it is determined that an applicant has a criminal history or is convicted or pleads guilty or nolo contendere to a felony or other serious crime. If applicable, it is recommended to contact the Maryland Board of Physical Therapy for clarification at (410) 764-4718.

PLEASE NOTE: AACC will only accept criminal background checks performed by a college approved vendor. Criminal background checks are completed online and must be paid for by the student. Information and instructions are given to applicants once accepted into the program.

Students complete the clinical courses at sites affiliated with the PTA Program. Sites are assigned by the Academic Coordinator for Clinical Education. Students should be prepared to provide their own transportation to travel to and from clinical sites since public transportation is not available for many areas.

Students may be required to provide proof of health care insurance coverage, complete a physical exam and/or other health related requirements, complete a drug screen and/or finger printing, or undergo a criminal background check at the request of the clinical site prior to placement. This will be at the student’s expense.

Students who have been convicted of a felony or a misdemeanor may not be eligible for the National Licensing Examination for Physical Therapist Assistants. These students are recommended to see the program director regarding their eligibility requirements before making application to the program.

Students who successfully complete the program must take the National Licensing Examination for Physical Therapist Assistants in order to practice PTA in the state of Maryland and most states in the USA. State licensure eligibility will be dependent on the results of the examination.

Chesapeake College is one of three Maryland Community Colleges which have formed a special consortium. The Chesapeake Area Consortium for Higher Education (CACHE) includes Anne Arundel Community College, Chesapeake College, and College of Southern Maryland. The Physical Therapist Assistant Program has received accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) of the American Physical Therapy Association. (APTA).

ACCREDITATION STATEMENT: The CACHE Physical Therapist Assistant program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), 3030 Potomac Ave., Suite 100 | Alexandria, VA | 22305-3085; telephone: 800-999-2782; email: [email protected], website: www.capteonline.org.

The next scheduled accreditation visit will be in fall 2024.

The CACHE Physical Therapist Assistant Program reserves the right to revise the admission requirements, the selection criteria and procedures, and the curriculum as deemed necessary without prior notification.

Additional PTA-specific questions? Visit the CACHE website or contact Dr. Carol Wilson-Robbins at [email protected].

Chesapeake Area Consortium for Higher Education - Physical Therapist Assistant Program

This program is offered through the Chesapeake Area Consortium for Higher Education (CACHE). Students complete their general education course work at Chesapeake College, their professional training at Anne Arundel Community College, and their clinical internship locally. Visit the Chesapeake Area Consortium for Higher Education website for more information about the Physical Therapist Assistant program.

equipped for the FUTURE

Start Here. Go Anywhere.

Chesapeake’s degrees transfer where you want to go.

If specific transfer agreements for this program are in place, they will be listed below.
Not seeing your dream university listed here? No worries! Chances are, we can create a transfer agreement specific to your needs. Our advisors will help you plan every credit on your way to your bachelor’s degree.

Apply for Scholarships

This program qualifies for many of our institutional scholarships. Complete one application, and be considered for hundreds of potential scholarships. Make sure to complete your FAFSA as well to receive as much funding as possible.

A physical therapist assistant associates degree can help open the door to your next career. Scroll through the options here to explore careers in physical therapy, including projected growth in our five-county service area, and average salary information.

you belong HERE

Build your skills outside the classroom—join one of our clubs and organizations, or create your own!

Alpha Delta Nu – Nursing Honor Society

An invitation only honors society for nurses.

Astronomy Club

Calling all Stargazers!

Game Club

Relax and recharge at game club meet-ups!

Hispanic/Latino Student Union

Encourage others and celebrate culture in the Hispanic/Latino Student Union.

InterVarsity

Build each other up in faith and life at InterVarsity Club.

IPMS Club

Come join our local chapter of the International Plastic Modelers Society - a plastic modeling club that learns from the past with eyes on the future!

Kappa Delta Pi

What do Albert Einstien, George Washington Carver, and Eleanor Roosevelt all have in common? They were members of KAPPA DELTA PI, the community of educators dedicated to excellence, scholarship, and service!

Peake Players

Come join us on the mainstage! Peake Players welcomes and trains all actors to perform in a faculty-directed production.

Phi Theta Kappa

Phi Theta Kappa is the premier international honor society for two-year colleges.

Pride Club
Rad Tech Club

Rad Tech Club - for Chesapeake Rad Tech students!

Student Athletic Advisory Council

The SAAC represents the voices of student-athletes at Chesapeake College.

Student Athletic Advisory Council (SAAC)

The Student Athletic Advisory Council represents the student-athletes’ voice at Chesapeake College.

Student Government Association

Be a part of planning campus events and have a voice in College policy with the SGA!

Student Mental Health Organization

Be a part of prioritizing student mental health!

Student Nursing Organization

The Student Nursing Organization cultivates community, leadership skills, and self-direction for Chesapeake Nursing students!

Surgical Tech Club

Surgical Tech students can experience additional learning opportunities and social events!

UHURU

UHURU works to promote and preserve the history and culture of African Americans, and unity among the diverse student body at large.

Writing Club

Brainstorm, share ideas and connect with fellow scribblers!

related PROGRAMS

connect to WHAT’S NEXT