Jun 07, 2025  
2025-2026 Catalog 
    
2025-2026 Catalog

Physical Therapist Assistant (A.S.)


State CIP Code 1351080601

The Physical Therapist Assistant Program at Northwest Florida State College is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), 3030 Potomac Ave., Suite 100, Alexandria, Virginia 22305-3085; telephone: 703-706-3245; email: accreditation@apta.org; website: http://www.capteonline.org. If needing to contact the program/institution directly, please call (850) 863-6511 or email pta@nwfsc.edu.

Selective Program Admissions

Certain programs are labeled as “selective” and require applicants to fulfill additional requirements before being accepted. Furthermore, there may be a limited number of available seats in the program. Please review the additional criteria provided below and visit the program’s website for any further information.

The Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) Program is a two-year selective admission program leading to an Associate in Science (A.S.) degree in Physical Therapist Assistant. Admission is competitive, with a new cohort selected each fall to begin the Technical Phase in the spring semester. Cohort size is determined by job market demand and clinical site availability. To be eligible for consideration, applicants must submit a Technical Program application and complete or be enrolled in all five required general education courses, achieving a minimum grade of “C” in each and maintaining a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher across these courses. If the number of eligible applicants exceeds available spots, a selective admission points system will be used, as outlined in the program application packet. Selected applicants will receive conditional acceptance pending verification of academic requirements, successful completion of a background check, and drug screen. Prior to clinical rotations, students must provide proof of required immunizations and current CPR certification.

The PTA Program provides students with the knowledge, skills, and clinical experiences necessary to become competent Physical Therapist Assistants. Graduates are eligible to apply for licensure and take the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE). As a selective admission program governed by specific policies, students are strongly encouraged to work with a Student Success Navigator for guidance. Admission requirements are subject to change, and prospective students should review the most current information on the PTA Program website. For additional information, contact the PTA Department at (850) 863-6511 or pta@nwfsc.edu.

 

General Education


Total General Education Credits Required: 20


Total Core Credits Required: 54


Total Program Credits Required: 74


Suggested Two Year Academic Plan


This program admits students in the fall/spring/summer semester(s). Below is a sample academic plan for these students admitted in the identified semester.

Physical Therapist Assistant (A.S.) (PTAP)
First Year
Fall Semester
BSC1085C Anatomy and Physiology I - 4 Credit Hours ♦  
ENC1101 English Composition I -  3 Credit Hours ♦  
MGF1130 Mathematical Thinking -  3 Credit Hours ♦  
Core General Education Humanities 3 Credit Hours   
Social Sciences (Civic Literacy Competency Requirement) - 3 Credit Hours
Total Semester Hours: 16
Spring Semester
BSC 1086C - Anatomy and Physiology II 4 Credit Hours  
DEP 2004 - Human Growth and Development 3 Credit Hours  
PHT 1128 - Functional Anatomy and Kinesiology 3 Credit Hours  
PHT 1128L - Functional Anatomy and Kinesiology Lab 2 Credit Hours  
PHT 1007 - Topics in Physical Therapy 3 Credit Hours  
Total Semester Hours: 15
Second Year
Fall Semester
PHT 1931 - PTA Seminar 1 Credit Hour  
PHT 1224 - Therapeutic Techniques and Disabilities 3 Credit Hours  
PHT 1224L - Therapeutic Techniques and Disabilities Lab 2 Credit Hours  
PHT 1200 - Basic Patient Care 2 Credit Hours  
PHT 1200L - Basic Patient Care Lab 2 Credit Hours  
PHT 2301 - Pathological Conditions in PT 3 Credit Hours  
PHT 1800L - Physical Therapy Clinical Practice I 3 Credit Hours  
Total Semester Hours: 16
Spring Semester
PHT 1211 - Physical Therapy Principles and Procedures 2 Credit Hours  
PHT 1211L - Physical Therapy Principles and Procedures Lab 2 Credit Hours  
PHT 2252 - Orthopedic Disabilities and Treatment 2 Credit Hours  
PHT 2252L - Orthopedic Disabilities and Treatment Lab 1 Credit Hour  
PHT 2162 - Neurological Disabilities and Treatment 2 Credit Hours  
PHT 2162L - Neurological Disabilities and Treatment Lab 2 Credit Hours  
PHT 2810L - Physical Therapy Clinical Practice II 4 Credit Hours   
Total Semester Hours: 15
Summer Semester
PHT 2704 - Advanced Rehab Concepts in PT 1 Credit Hours  
PHT 2704L - Advanced Rehab Concepts in PT Lab 1 Credit Hour  
PHT 2930 - Trends in Physical Therapy 2 Credit Hours  
PHT 2820L - Physical Therapy Clinical Practice III 8 Credit Hours  
Total Semester Hours: 12
Total Program Hours: 74

 

Legend


Symbol Description
Courses listed with this symbol are Florida State Core Courses and are protected in transfer to other public state institutions as meeting the state Core General Education requirements.
Ω Courses listed with this symbol meet the Civic Literacy Competency as outlined in section 1007.25(4), Florida Statutes (F.S.).