Earn a physical therapist assistant Associate in Applied Science. The college catalog lists the physical therapist assistant program options, courses, eligibility, and requirements currently available at Central Piedmont.

If you would like information on opportunities to transfer associate degree credit to a four-year institution, please visit the Transfer Resource Center.

Visiting Students

If you wish to transfer physical therapist assistant course credit back to your home institution, explore how to enroll at Central Piedmont as a visiting student.

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If you are looking for programs to gain the knowledge or skills necessary to finish a high school degree or to get a job, visit Central Piedmont's College and Career Readiness.

College Credit for High School Students

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The physical therapist assistant program requires the completion of 75 credit hours completed full-time in five consecutive semesters (two years). The curriculum includes general studies courses as well as program-specific courses. Students in the program must achieve a grade of 74% or greater in program courses. For detailed information on physical therapist assistant program options, courses, eligibility, and requirements, visit the Central Piedmont Community College catalog.

• 2023-24 course sequences
• 2022-23 course sequences (PDF)
• 2021–22 course sequences (PDF)

You are encouraged — but not required — to complete general education courses while you wait to learn your admissions decision. All general education courses, medical terminology (MED 120), and anatomy and physiology II (BIO 169) must be completed by the end of the first fall semester after being admitted in order to progress in the program. However, anatomy and physiology I (BIO 168) is a prerequisite for the first fall PTA Program courses and must be completed prior to starting the program courses. There a time limit for expiration of BIO 168 and BIO 169: each class is looked at separately, and each of them must be fewer than five years old at the time of application. Program courses begin in the fall after you are admitted into the program and take a total of four semesters to complete. Program courses are not available during the summer session.

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Clinicals

It is typically not possible to complete the program while working full time at the same time. Included in the curriculum are four clinical education courses beginning in the second fall semester. All four clinical affiliations consist of a time commitment of 40 hours a week in clinical facilities. Individual clinicians take on the job of converting your classroom knowledge to the ability to care for their clients in health care facilities; your education is not complete without this exposure to real patients. Clinicians generously offer time and expertise to students but do not receive any financial reward for their efforts. You will not receive payment during clinicals. The second fall and spring 8-week session courses require a substantial amount of time in classroom and lab.

Classes for the physical therapy assistant program are delivered in several ways:

• In-person classes, labs, and clinicals are held on the Central Campus.
• combined (classroom/lab/clinical and online)

Program courses are only available during the day on weekdays and are not available over the summer.

Courses available and their schedules can change each semester. Check the physical therapist assistant program options, courses, eligibility, and requirements each semester.

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Central Piedmont provides real-world, affordable, hands-on education and career training. Learn how much it costs to attend Central Piedmont. Financial aid and scholarships are available.

Physical Therapist Assistant Program Costs

In addition to regular tuition and fees, there are laboratory fees assigned to courses with a lab/clinical component. Additional costs include textbooks, workbooks, medical fees for a physical exam, and drug screening and immunizations.

Estimated Program Costs

Financial Fact Sheet (PDF)

Physical Therapist Assistant Scholarships

In particular, students interested in the physical therapist assistant program should consider the following scholarships. Please note that many scholarships are managed by organizations outside of Central Piedmont.

Bob and Eleanor Gossett Endowed Scholarship

• Biomedical Equipment Technology
• Cardiovascular Technology
• Cytotechnology
• Dental Assisting
• Dental Hygiene
• Emergency Medical Science
• Healthcare (Non-degree)
• Human Services Technology
• Medical Assisting
• Medical Laboratory Technology
• Medical Office Administration
• Nurse Aide
• Nursing
• Occupational Therapy Assistant
• Ophthalmic Medical Personnel
• Pharmacy Technology
• Polysomnography
• Respiratory Therapy
• Surgical Technology

Concerns or complaints about the Physical Therapist Assistant program can be directed to:

Roschella Stephens, PT, MS
Associate Dean Therapy and Acute Care
Central Piedmont Community College
P.O. Box 35009
Belk/Health Careers Building
Charlotte, NC 28235-5009
Email: Roschella.Stephens@cpcc.edu
Phone: 704-330-6746

Comments must be provided in writing and signed by the author. Anonymous submissions will not be acknowledged, nor will written comments provided on behalf of an anonymous source. Comments received via phone or email will be directed to submit this form (PDF).

Complaints may also be filed directly to the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) at:

3030 Potomac Ave. Suite 100
Alexandria, VA 22305-3085
Phone: 703-706-3245
E-mail: accreditation@apta.org
Website

* No retaliation will occur by either the PTA Program or College due to a complaint being filed.

Students admitted into the physical therapist assistant Associate in Applied Science program at Central Piedmont have an assigned faculty advisor. Find your faculty advisor based on your last name:

• Kojuanda A Carrington: last names A–F
• Tracie Jackson: last names G–L
• Neil Hebert: last names M–R
• Michelle Johnson: last names S–Z