Program Overview
The Physical Therapist Assistant Program is a cooperative endeavor by the Blinn College District and area physical therapy facilities. Physical therapist assistants (PTA) work under the supervision of a licensed physical therapist to help people recover from illness or injury and return to the activities of daily living. Their work environments include, but are not limited to:
- hospitals
- rehabilitation centers
- home health
- nursing homes
- outpatient clinics
- school systems
They are skilled technical health workers who perform various treatment procedures, including:
- modalities
- rehabilitation techniques
- therapeutic exercises
- training the patient to use special equipment
- education of the patient to prevent further physical problems
Students will be instructed in the use of specialized equipment, learn to instruct patients in the use and care of braces, prosthesis, assistive devices, and receive specific training that will allow them to function as a physical therapist assistant in today's healthcare field. The Blinn PTA program boasts a high graduation rate and pass rate on the national licensure examination in recent graduating cohorts. Program graduates have a high employment rate within six months of passing the licensure examination, and most students are able to start working as soon as they graduate.
After completing approximately 63 semester hours, an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree is granted to the student. The curriculum contains a strong core of physical therapy classes as well as related general education courses - anatomy and physiology, psychology, medical terminology, and a humanities elective. The program includes lecture and supervised laboratory courses in physical therapy science and procedures, as well as clinical experiences. All Physical Therapist Assistant courses must be taken in sequence and can be taken only in the semester listed. All courses listed within the program curriculum must be passed with a grade of 75 or higher, and a 2.5 GPA must be maintained.
The PTA Program begins in the fall semester each year and enrolls 16-22 students per cohort (maximum of 25 students per cohort). Due to the competitive admission process, it is recommended that you attend an information session and begin the requirements for the admission process early to be sure your application is complete by the application deadline. However, completion of all admission requirements does not guarantee admission into the PTA Program.
Blinn PTA Program Student Handbook
If you have a felony conviction, your eligibility for licensure in Texas may be affected. Because requirements vary by state, we encourage you to explore your options early. To help you, the Texas Executive Council of Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy Examiners offers a Criminal History Evaluation. You can learn more and request an evaluation at https://ptot.texas.gov/.
