Physical Therapist Assistant, Associate of Applied Science

If you are compassionate, enjoy working with a team, and want to help people improve their quality of life, then a career as a Physical Therapist Assistant is for you. The Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) works under the supervision of a physical therapist to assist in the treatment of individuals suffering from disease or injury by relieving pain, restoring movement, and improving function. The PTA also works with other healthcare team members to ensure each individual functions at their maximum potential.

The PTA Program at Laredo College consists of 66 semester credit hours, includes three full-time clinical experiences, and can be completed in two years or six semesters (84 weeks).  Upon completing the program, the student is awarded the Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree and will be eligible to sit for the physical therapist assistant national licensure exam.

Program Mission

The mission of the Laredo College Physical Therapist Assistant Program is to provide a quality education that transforms students into caring, knowledgeable, and skilled entry-level physical therapist assistants committed to safe and ethical practice to meet the healthcare needs in the community and the region.

Learn more about the Program Vision, Program Goals, and Program Outcomes. 

Program Vision, Goals and Outcomes PDF 

Job Opportunities

Employment opportunities for the PTA are good. A variety of settings offer promising career oppportunities to PTAs. Some include acute care and long-term care hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, outpatient rehab centers, private practices, home health, public school districts, and others. Career opportunities are available locally and throughout the state of Texas. 100% of LC PTA Program graduates who have passed the licensure examination are employed as PTAs.

Salary

Salaries for graduating PTAs vary depending on the setting (hospital, private practice, home health, outpatient rehab centers, etc.) and location (urban vs. suburban). The average annual salary for new graduate PTAs for this region is approximately $55,000 a year.

Program Costs 

The approximate cost of the two-year program for tuition, books, fees, and miscellaneous costs is $12,362.50 for in-district students, $15,662.50 for out-of-district students, and $19,094.50 for out-of-state students. Should a student choose to complete a clinical experience out-of-town, the estimated cost for room and travel per clinical experience is approximately $2,000 to $2,500. The additional costs are the student's responsibility. Please refer to the Laredo College PTA Program Financial Fact Sheet and LC catalog for information. Students seeking financial aid should contact the Financial Aid Center at either campus for more information. 

Accreditation

The PTA Program at Laredo College is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE):

If needing to contact the program/institution directly, please call Dr. Esmeralda Vargas at 956-721-5261 or email esmeralda.vargas@laredo.edu.
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.

Physical Therapist Assistant Program Outcomes

Program Graduation Rates

Campus Location

Laredo College South Campus

College of Health Sciences

5500 South Zapata Highway

Laredo, TX  78046

For additional information, students may contact Dr. Esmeralda Vargas at 956-721-5261 or via email at pta@laredo.edu.