A.A.S. Degree: 72 Hours

The Physical Therapist Assistant program is designed to prepare graduates to serve as an essential member of a PT/PTA team in a variety of health care settings.  A new class of 24 students begins each spring semester and graduates in May (17 months later). A separate application process is required for acceptance into this program. The application deadline for the program is September 1. Contact the Health Sciences office at 417-447-8954 or visit the Physical Therapist Assistant website for an application packet.

The limited and selective admission phase of the program begins in Semester III after successful completion of the required general education courses. Through didactic, laboratory, and clinical education components, students will have the opportunity to develop the knowledge and skills necessary to function in the health care delivery system under the direction and supervision of a physical therapist. Students may enroll in the "Program Specific Courses" (those labeled as PTA) only if they have been admitted into the program. Students admitted into the PTA program are required to adhere to strict program attendance and professional behavior standards in order to participate, progress, and graduate from the PTA program.

Graduates of this accredited PTA program are eligible to apply to sit for the national licensing examination. After successful completion of this examination, the individual will be a licensed physical therapist assistant (PTA). 

A grade of "C" or better is required for all PTA Program required courses.

The Physical Therapist Assistant Program at Ozarks Technical Community College is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), 3030 Potomac Ave., Suite 100, Alexandria, Virginia 22305-3085; telephone: 800-999-2782; email: accreditation@apta.org; website: http://www.capteonline.org. If needing to contact the program/institution directly, please call 417-447-7873 or email wallenn@otc.edu

A suggested course sequence is a semester-by-semester list of courses suggested for successful and timely completion of a degree. This course sequence is designed for full-time students beginning in the fall or spring semester, however part-time students can utilize the same sequence at a part-time pace.  Students should follow the suggested course sequence appropriate to their catalog year.  The Physical Therapist Assistant program is selective admission. Please see your navigator with any questions you may have or contact the Health Sciences Office at 417-447-8803 or healthsciences@otc.edu.   To view the catalog page and full list of courses for this program, please see the Physical Therapist Assistant (A.A.S.) link or see the program welcome page for additional information.