Physical Therapist Assistant (Day)

Physical Therapist Assistant Program Mission.

The Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) program strives to develop competent paraprofessionals in their given field through education that stresses problem-solving, critical thinking, and independent skill performance such that our graduates will provide quality care to the public in a positive and professional manner. Our mission is consistent with that of Central Penn College.

The Associate in Applied Science degree program in Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) provides graduates with a thorough background in the rehabilitation of musculoskeletal and neuromuscular disorders while incorporating an understanding of the psychosocial aspects of disability. Physical therapist assistants work with physical therapists in treating people with a wide range of physical disorders. At Central Penn, the incorporation of hands-on laboratory classes and clinical internships at physical therapy facilities enable students to practice what is learned in the classroom. The Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education of the American Physical Therapy Association (CAPTE/APTA) accredits this program. Graduates of Central Penn’s PTA program will be eligible to sit for the state physical therapist assistant licensing examination. Due to the academic rigor of the program, students must earn a final grade of “C+” (77%) or higher in all PTA core courses in order to progress through the program.

Program learning objectives.

• Demonstrate knowledge of the theoretical concepts that are foundational to the practice of physical therapy.
• Deliver physical therapy services as described in a plan of care under the direct supervision of a physical therapist in a competent, safe, and effective manner.
• Communicate verbally, non-verbally, and in writing with those involved in patient care, in an appropriate and professional manner.
• Demonstrates sound clinical judgment when implementing the plan of care established by the physical therapist.
• Perform appropriate therapeutic interventions, including tests and measures, to assist the supervising physical therapist in monitoring and modifying the patient’s plan of care.
• Practice with a high ethical standard and sensitivity consistent with cultural and societal needs for physical therapy services.
• Exhibit a professional attitude and demonstrate a commitment to life-long learning, scholarship and research.
• Demonstrate professional responsibility by participating in professional and community organizations that provide opportunities for volunteerism, advocacy and leadership.

• Small class sizes with individualized attention
• Accepts students twice per year
• Accelerated terms so that you can earn your degree faster
• Daytime or Evening classes available
• Hands-on, real-world learning, including an internship

To be considered for admission into a degree or professional certificate program, students must be a high school graduate or have received a General Equivalency Diploma (GED), Pennsylvania Home School Diploma or other recognized equivalency diploma. High School Students applying with an overall GPA of 2.0 or higher may be considered for regular admission. Students applying with a GPA below a 2.0 in high school or from another college or university, if accepted, will be admitted conditionally. Please submit an application for admission and a copy of high school and/or college transcript(s). Some applicants may be required to attend a personal interview with the Admissions Office.

An admission essay may be deemed optional for all applicants whose GPA meets or exceeds the minimum for acceptance into the desired program. For certificates and degrees in the Schools of Humanities and Business, the minimum GPA for acceptance is 2.0. For most Health Sciences certificates and degrees, unless otherwise specified, the minimum GPA is 2.2.

Admissions Requirements.

The Physical Therapist Assistant program must limit enrollment due to classroom space and available clinical facilities. Minimum academic standards may be set. Students will be ranked according to the following admissions criteria: 1. Students are required to have earned a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher. GPA is calculated from all schools attended. Cumulative GPA is based off of school transcripts and pending all course completion. 2. Observation Hours: All applicants are required to complete a minimum of 20 non-paid observation hours in at least two different physical therapy facilities. A minimum of six (6) hours must be completed at each facility. A physical therapist or physical therapist assistant working in each facility must validate all observation hours and document the candidate’s performance via the form provided by Central Penn College’s Admissions Office. Observation hours are to be completed within 12 months of the application and submitted prior to the application deadline. 3. References: All applicants are required to submit two professional references obtained within 12 months of the application deadline. 4. Interview and Essay: Students desiring to enter the field of physical therapy are expected to have effective oral and written communication skills to work with clients and other professionals. Each applicant will be rated on communication skills, professionalism, knowledge, enthusiasm for the profession, and personal attributes related to their compatibility with the physical therapy profession. Students will also be required to conduct an interview with a member of the PTA faculty and write an essay on site. 5. Due to the academic rigor and specificity of the PTA program, submission of SAT or ACT scores is highly recommended. The program accepts the top students based on the scores given for the above-mentioned criteria. 6. PTA core courses must be taken at Central Penn College. There will be no transfer credits accepted for PTA core courses, with the exception of 9 credits of PTA electives.

There are two separate application deadlines during the calendar year for enrollment into the program. The application deadline to begin during the summer term is April 1. The application deadline to begin during the winter term is October 1. Up to 30 students will be accepted each summer and winter term for the daytime program and up to 30 students will be accepted each winter for the evening program. Only complete applications, including most recent transcripts will be reviewed.

Up to 30 students are accepted each summer and winter term for the daytime program. Application deadlines: April 1 to begin in summer; October 1 to begin in winter. Students complete three internships prior to graduation: one two-week and two seven-week clinicals; some internship experiences take place during the breaks between terms.

Tuition and fees. Undergraduate tuition is $525 per credit for all majors. A Student/Technology Fee of $510 per term (5 or more credits) or $315 (4 or fewer credits) is required. A one-time $150 graduation fee applies.

Program fees. PTA program lab fee, per term $200.

Certification and other costs not covered by tuition. FSBPT exam $485; PA State Board of PT $30; Prometric testing center $82.60 (not covered by tuition).

Books and other expenses. Variable expenses per term (estimates): textbooks $350–$450; course material fees approximately $50–$150 per course; personal $150–$250; transportation $150–$300. Uniforms (where required) are estimated at $100–$150.

Housing and meals. Campus housing per term: individual private bedroom $2,205, standard apartment bedroom $1,505, super suite bedroom $1,595, utilities $330. Meal plans per term range from $550 (Block 75) to $1,125 (14 Meal Plan); a $250 housing security deposit is required.

Financial aid. Central Penn College processes grants, scholarships, loans, and work-study through federal, state, private, and institutional sources to help eligible students meet some of those costs, including the Federal Pell Grant, PA State Grant, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG), Federal Work-Study and Federal Direct Stafford Loans. To apply for all federal and state financial aid programs, students must complete the FAFSA; Central Penn’s Federal School Code for FAFSA is 004890. To receive financial aid a student must be enrolled in an eligible degree or certificate program and be enrolled on at least a half-time basis (4 credits).

Payment options. Tuition and expenses are paid each term approximately three weeks before the term starts. Central Penn has a short-term three-month payment plan through CASHNet that divides the balance of the tuition owed by three payments; there is a $35 non-refundable application fee paid with the first payment. An Employer Reimbursement Tuition Agreement Plan lets students who receive tuition reimbursement from their employer defer payment until the specified dates.

Military benefits. Military benefits accepted include the Montgomery GI Bill® (Chapters 30 and 1606), Veterans Readiness and Employment (Chapter 31), the Post-9/11 GI Bill® (Chapter 33) and Yellow Ribbon Program, Dependents’ Education Assistance (Chapter 35) and Tuition Assistance.

2025 PTA Financial Fact Sheet (day). For students in the program Jan. 1 – Dec. 31, 2025: tuition $24,832 (year 1) and $16,275 (year 2), total $41,107; institutional fees $3,570; other program-related expenses $4,775; total cost of the program $49,452. Average student debt from the technical phase: $7,916.

Net price calculator. Use Central Penn’s Net Price Calculator at https://npc.collegeboard.org/app/centralpenn for an early estimate of your total annual cost.

Careers you can pursue. Physical Therapist Assistant, Physical Therapist Aide, Physical Therapist, Athletic Trainer.

Program outcomes (CAPTE disclosure). Summerdale Day Program – graduation rate 2025: 81.8%, 2024: 80.8% (2-year average 81.4%); NPTAE pass rate 2025: 81.8%, 2024: 95.2% (2-year average 90.6%); employment rate 2024: 95%, 2023: 100% (2-year average 97.4%).

Graduate outcomes. 92.9% of Physical Therapist Assistant graduates (28 graduates contacted) were employed in their field or continuing their education (One-Year Graduate Follow-up Report, graduates July 1, 2024 – June 30, 2025).

College-wide outcome. 89.2% of Central Penn graduates were employed in their chosen field or continuing their education within one year of graduation (graduates July 1, 2024 – June 30, 2025; One-Year Graduate Follow-up Report published July 1, 2026).