Degree and Certificate Options
Physical Therapist Assistant, A.A.S.
$62.6K
Potential Salary*
2 Years*
Estimated Program Length
What Will I Learn?
KCKCC’s Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) program, along with the general education requirements of the college, is structured around one goal—producing competent, compassionate, and board-certified physical therapist assistants. Students learn to help patients regain mobility, strength, and function following an illness or injury. Working under the direction of the physical therapist, the PTA implements the plan of care which may include ambulation, therapeutic exercises, functional activities, and modalities. Following completion of the fully accredited program, graduates will be able to sit for a national examination and apply for credentialing in all 50 states. Students who complete the program are eligible to apply to take the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE).
Career Paths
Physical therapy offers rewarding opportunities to make a positive difference in the quality of people's lives. It is an exciting and growing field with many opportunities for the physical therapist assistant. Career paths available include Certified Physical Therapist Assistant (CPTA), home health PTA, Licensed Physical Therapist Assistant (LPTA), outpatient PTA, and per diem PTA.
Points of Pride
KCKCC is the first community college PTA program to offer courses in a Blended/Hyflex courses. Students have the ability to choose how they attend class each session – online, face-to-face, or remote – with only midterm and final exams requiring attendance on campus. This provides a comprehensive, flexible educational experience tailored to the needs of each student.
The program has more than 130 sites across a variety of settings for student placement in clinicals.
Faculty challenges students to grow professionally and personally while providing guidance to help facilitate their success. With experience in almost every area of practice, instructors possess the knowledge base and clinical application skills necessary to provide a high-quality education that is respected throughout the medical community.
Accreditation
The Physical Therapist Assistant program at Kansas City Kansas Community College is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education, 3030 Potomac Ave., Suite 100, Alexandria, Virginia 22305-03085; telephone: 703-706-3245; email: accreditation@apta.org; website: http://www.capteonline.org. If needing to contact the program/institution directly, please call 913-288-7865 or email pta@kckcc.edu.
Complaints regarding the Physical Therapist Assistant Program should be directed to the Program Coordinator at 913-288-7865 or the Dean of Health Professions and Public Safety at 913-288-7626.
KCKCC PTA Program Statistics (2022-2023)
Acceptance rate: 85-90% of the applicants are accepted to the program
Graduation rate: 87.3%
Employment rate: 100% within one (1) year of passing the NPTE
Ultimate pass rate on NPTE: 100%
First-time pass rate on NPTE: 91.7%
2023-2024 PTA student financial fact sheet KCKCC
Handbook for Affiliated Clinical Sites
Additional Information
Professional Organizations
Kansas Physical Therapy Association (KPTA)
American Physical Therapy Association (APTA)
Kansas State Board of Healing Arts (KSBHA)
KBOR Program Alignment
The Kansas City Kansas Community College Physical Therapist Assistant program is in alignment with the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) CIP code 51.0806: Physical Therapy Technician/Assistant. A program that prepares individuals, under the supervision of a physical therapist, to implement physical therapy treatment care plans, train patients, conduct treatment interventions, use equipment, and observe and record patient progress. Includes instruction in applied anatomy and physiology, applied kinesiology, principles and procedures of physical therapy, basic neurology and orthopedics, physical therapy modalities, documentation skills, psychosocial aspects of health care, wound and injury care, electrotherapy, working with orthotics and prostheses, and personal and professional ethics.
Alum Perspective
“Attending KCKCC’s PTA program was one of the best decisions I have made. Not only did I make lifelong friendships with classmates, but the staff members are some of the most knowledgeable therapists I’ve known and all-around great people. KCKCC is well known across Kansas as a top tier PTA program and sets you up for future success in the physical therapy field.”
*Potential salaries use third-party national and regional aggregated data, some of which may be estimates. Results may not reflect local or timely trends. Some careers listed may require additional education or degrees beyond those offered at KCKCC. Completing a program, degree, or certificate does not guarantee employment or a specific salary.