The Northwest Arkansas Community College (NWACC) Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) Program is designed to prepare students to perform as entry-level PTAs.  Under the supervision of a physical therapist, entry level PTAs provide rehabilitative care with simple or complex patients to optimize an individual's level of function after an injury or illness.  The student is prepared to work as an entry-level PTA in a variety of clinical environments including outpatient facilities, hospitals, rehabilitation centers, schools and home health.  The PTA Program includes two semesters of prerequisite course work followed by admission to the PTA Program for three semesters of technical and clinical physical therapy courses.  Successful completion of the PTA Program leads to an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) Degree making the student eligible to sit for the National Physical Therapist Assistant Examination (NPTAE).  The student must pass the NPTAE to receive a license to practice in the state of Arkansas.  Those students wishing to practice in other states should contact the state regulating board of physical therapy for that state to obtain their requirements..

Historically, NWACC graduates have done well on the NPTAE.  Pass rates for NWACC graduates taking the NPTAE are as follows:

¹ This compares with national average of ~ 75 % for other accredited schools

The class size is limited to 12 -14 students.

Matriculation Information for the PTA Program is as follows:

This page was last updated on 5-10-07