Mohave Community College

What is the difference between a Physical Therapist and a Physical Therapist Assistant? - Physical Therapists (PTs) assess patients, determine the plan of care, and perform skilled treatments. Physical therapist assistants (PTAs) are supervised by the physical therapist.  They help the physical therapist by performing selected treatment activities with patients.

What is Physical Therapy? - Physical Therapy (PT) is the art and science of providing care to patients suffering from injury or disease which has resulted in a loss of motion in the joints of the body, a loss of strength in muscles, increased pain, an inability to walk normally, as well as any of several other examples of losses of physical function.  Through physical therapy, patients are helped to regain the ability to function at their highest possible level.  Patients may include infants, children, adults, and the elderly.

What education is necessary for a PTA license? - Physical therapist assistants attend community or technical colleges that offer an associate’s degree.  Programs take between one and two years to complete.

Where do PTAs work? - PTAs work in hospitals, rehabilitation centers, skilled nursing facilities, outpatient clinics and sports medicine centers.  Work hours are generally during the daytime, Monday through Friday.  Weekend work is generally available or required at hospitals and skilled nursing facilities.

How much money do PTAs make? - According to Bureau of Labor Statistics, median annual earnings of physical therapist assistants were $41,360 in May 2006 for a full time position.

What is the current job market for PTAs? - The job market for PTAs is projected to continue to grow for the next several years both locally in Arizona and throughout the country.  The United States of Labor Statistics forecasts that through 2016 the demand for physical therapist assistants will grow by 29%, much faster than the average for all occupations.  Opportunities for individuals interested in becoming physical therapist assistants are expected to be very good.

Why should I consider a career in physical therapy? - A career in physical therapy is very rewarding.  Each day physical therapist assistants work closely with their patients to help them recover from injuries or illnesses that have temporarily or permanently changed their lives.  PTAs are important members of the rehabilitation team.  Helping people to progress back towards optimal health is a wonderful experience.

PTAs are men and women who enjoy challenging work, communicating with people, and working in a team to assist patients to achieve their fullest rehabilitation potential.

Do I need to pass an examination to be a PTA? - To hold the title of physical therapist assistant in Arizona, an individual must pass the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) for the respective level of education and training.  The examination is administered by the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT).  Costs associated with applying for certification and taking the examination are approximately $500.

How many students will be admitted to the program? - A new class of 18 students will be admitted each August to the traditional day program.  The number of students admitted may change depending on employment market conditions and the availability of clinical training sites.  There is a selection process and a deadline to submit applications.  In the case of a tie in rank, the space will go to the person who submits their application the earliest.

What happens to my application if I am not one of the first 18 applicants? - The application remains on file for 2 years.  If a student in the initial acceptance group is unable to take their space, the position is offered to the next ranked applicant.  The applicant can elect in writing to have their initial application reconsidered for the next application period.

How long does it take to complete the program? - The program at MCC is an integrated 2 year program and can be completed in 5 semesters.  Students admitted to the program in August 2010 will graduate in May 2012, if all lecture, lab, and clinical courses are completed satisfactorily. 

Is this program accredited? - Mohave Community College has been granted Candidate for Accreditation status by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education of the American Physical Therapy Association ( 1111 North Fairfax Street, Alexandria, VA, 22314; phone: 703-706-3245; email: accreditation@apta.org). Candidacy is not an accreditation status nor does it assure eventual accreditation. Candidate for Accreditation is a pre-accreditation status of affiliation with the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education that indicates the program is progressing toward accreditation.

When are classes scheduled? - Lecture and lab courses may be scheduled Monday through Friday.  Classes may begin as early as 8 am and end as late as 4 pm.  Depending on the semester, students may be in class for 3-6 hours, 3-5 days per week.  All of these classes are held on site at Mohave Community College, Lake Havasu Campus.

Clinical practicum classes (PTA 206, PTA 280, PTA 290) are Monday through Friday for 8 hours each day for 4-6 consecutive weeks.  Extended hours and weekends are occasionally necessary during clinical experiences.  These classes require attendance at clinical facilities that include hospitals, extended care facilities, and outpatient practices. There will be 3 clinical practicum classes.

Due to the rural nature of our location and the limited clinical site availability in Mohave County, it is likely that you will have to do at least one of your clinical rotations out of the Mohave County.  If you have friends or family in the outlying areas, who would allow you to bunk there for the defined weeks, the program will make the greatest attempt to place you in close proximity to that location. 

Can I work and go to school? - PTA program applicants are cautioned the PTA program is a rigorous course of study.  The program faculty recommends that work hours be kept to a minimum but each student must make an individual decision about the number of work hours that he/she can handle while continuing to make acceptable academic progress in the program.

What is the cost of the program? - Students will pay the normal tuition plus a Program Fee of $1850 per semester.  The program fee will include student uniforms, student lab materials and tools, drug testing fees, TB test, background/fingerprint test, and evaluation materials for clinical performance.  Out of pocket costs will include, but not be limited to CPR, vaccines, medical clearance, costs for transportation and housing for clinical rotations, and health insurance.

Is financial aid available? - Financial assistance is available to eligible students in the form of grants, scholarships, employment, or loans.  Students may receive aid from one funding source or aid may be offered in a package from multiple sources.  Contact the financial aid office located on any of the 4 campuses or visit their website at www.mohave.edu for additional information.

What are the expected student outcomes of the PTA program?

Students who understand:

  • Their role in the delivery of physical therapy
  • Impairments, dysfunctions and functional limitations in order to treat patients under the supervision of a licensed physical therapist
  • The application and modification of appropriate treatment techniques established within the plan of care developed by the physical therapist
  • The importance of maximizing functional independence
  • Their potential to contribute as a functional team member within the physical therapy profession, the healthcare team and society.

Students who have the academic and clinical education to:

  • Pass the physical therapist assistant licensure exam
  • Find employment in a timely fashion
  • Transition from the academic setting to the employment setting with ease.

Students who demonstrate:

  • Safe, effective, moral, ethical and legal behaviors within the scope of physical therapy
  • Effective communication, critical thinking and planning skills necessary to work in the field of physical therapy
  • Skills and attitudes necessary for life-long learning, including involvement in APTA and state chapters
  • Competency in therapeutic interventions in all treatment settings for all ages
  • Proficiency in teaching patients, co-workers, family, classmates and community about physical therapy.

Are there any special situations I need to be aware of before I apply? - Students are required to complete three clinical courses during the program.  This is a series of work experiences with patients in a variety of off-campus settings, under the supervision of practicing PTAs and PTs.  This includes one four week and two six week, full time (40 hours per week) clinical experiences where the student must display sufficient skill and competence to enter the field as a practicing PTA.  Students must be willing and able to organize their time, transportation, and other life responsibilities to complete and benefit fully from their clinical experiences.

Due to the limited amount of clinical sites and the rural nature of Mohave County, at least one of these rotations will require the student to travel out of Mohave County for 4 or 6 weeks.  At least one rotation will occur inside of Mohave County.