Anyone desiring entrance into this major must first gain admission to Penn College. Acceptance into this selective admission major is based upon additional requirements beyond College admission. Details are available on the Selective Admission Criteria and Process webpage.

Child abuse clearance and criminal background checks are required for this major, as established by clinical affiliation agreements. Agencies can prohibit students from participating in clinical experiences at their sites if a criminal record exits or a positive drug test is noted. By virtue of the contract for Pennsylvania College of Technology students to be at clinical sites, agencies have the right to ask for random drug testing. Inability to complete clinical education experiences will result in the inability to meet course and program outcomes. The Pennsylvania State Board of Physical Therapy advises that a drug-related conviction and/or conviction of a felonious act or misdemeanor might result in denial and/or revocation of a license to practice physical therapy. For additional clarification, students can speak with their program director.

Penn College complies with the federal Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act Amendments of 1989. Pursuant to this Act, all forms of marijuana, including medical marijuana and other THC products, are classified as prohibited controlled substances. Additionally, alcohol, illegal drugs, and legal drugs obtained without a prescription, or which may impair a student’s ability to perform their educational responsibilities, are strictly prohibited. Students are subject to drug screening at various phases of the program. Please note that a positive drug screening for marijuana metabolite (THCA) will be deemed a positive test and will result in the student being dismissed from the program, even if the student has been lawfully certified to use medical marijuana and/or possesses a valid medical marijuana identification card issued in accordance with applicable state law.

Students enrolled in the Physical Therapist Assistant major must earn at least a “C” (2.0) in an applicable math course (MTH123 or higher), ENL111, MTR100, BIO115, BIO125, PSY111, and all PTA courses. 

The following grading system is applied to all PTA courses (there is no rounding of grades):
A = 90-100 
B = 80-89.99 
C = 75-79.99 
F = 74.99 and below

Students must acquire their own tools and laptop computer as noted below.

Required Tools, Uniforms, and Supplies

Students will be required to purchase a PTA tool kit and designated Penn College PTA program scrubs at the College Store. Refer to the Tools, Uniforms and Supplies sheet for a complete list of expenses.

Required Laptop Computer

• Chromebooks and other devices running Chrome OS are prohibited.
• Unless otherwise specified by your major, MacBooks and other Apple products are not recommended for coursework.
• Windows 11 or higher (recommended).https://www.pct.edu/media/3336/download
• Intel Core i5 or i7 or AMD Ryzen 5 or 7 processor (recommended).
• ARM based processors are not recommended.
• 16+ GB RAM (recommended). 
• 250+ GB Solid State Disk (SSD) drive (recommended).
• The laptop must include a webcam and microphone (required).
• The laptop must include a wireless network card (required).
• Broadband Internet connection when working off campus (required).
• Extended support agreement, including accidental damage protection (recommended).
• Power bank suitable for your laptop (recommended). 

The Physical Therapist Assistant program at Pennsylvania College of Technology 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 570-320-4439 or email pta@pct.edu.

This major is subject to the transfer standards established by the College (see Transferring Credits).

International health credentials/licensure, science courses, and most math courses will not be accepted to satisfy the requirements of this major.  Please see additional information for international students applying to Health Science majors.

2025 PTA Financial Fact Sheet

Physical Therapist Assistant program goals, objectives and outcomes

Alternative Credit refers to academic credits earned through means other than traditional college course completion, including: credit by exam, articulation, proof of competency gained in high school, work/life experience, and advanced placement.

Visit the Alternative Credit Options page for requirements and procedures and for information on credit through Advanced Placement.

Clinical Education Resources

• Students must meet Essential Functions for the Physical Therapist Assistant as established by the Physical Therapist Assistant Program, as well as health and safety requirements including, but not limited to, immunizations (MMR, hepatitis B, varicella, tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis, annual influenza vaccination, PPD), medical examination, 10 panel drug screen, CPR certification, and background clearances as established by clinical affiliation agreements.
• Clinical Observation Form
• Complaints from the public
• Program Review Executive Summary

The physical therapist assistant program at Pennsylvania College of Technology has determined that its curriculum meets the state educational requirements for licensure or certification in all states, the District of Colombia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands secondary to its accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education, based on the following: CAPTE accreditation of a physical therapist or physical therapist assistant program satisfies state educational requirements in all states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Thus, students graduating from CAPTE-accredited physical therapist and physical therapist assistant education programs are eligible to take the National Physical Therapy Examination and apply for licensure in all states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. For more information regarding state qualifications and licensure requirements, refer to the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy website at fsbpt.org.

Contact the Program Director:

Victoria Hurwitz
pta@pct.edu 
570 320 2400 ext. 4439

Physical Therapist Assistant Advisory Committee Members