Physical Therapist Assistant Admissions
Physical Therapist Assistants (PTA) provide physical therapy services under the direction and supervision of a licensed Physical Therapist. PTAs help people of all ages who have medical problems or other health-related conditions that limit their ability to move and perform functional activities in their daily lives. PTAs work in a variety of settings including hospitals, private practices, outpatient clinics, home health, nursing homes, schools, sports facilities and more.
The Physical Therapist Assistant program is a full-time, day, fall-entry Associate of Applied Science degree.
The Physical Therapist Assistant Program at Howard Community College is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), 3030 Potomac Ave., Suite 100, Alexandria, VA 22305-3085; telephone: 703-706-3245; email: accreditation@apta.org; website: www.capteonline.org. If needing to contact the program/institution directly, please call 443.518.4380 or email LRobertsSweeney@howardcc.edu.
Steps to Apply
- Attend one of our information sessions.
- If not already a current HCC student, submit an HCC application for admission. Select Physical Therapist Assistant as your learning program on the application.
- New to College: Take placement tests, if applicable: Students may be exempt from the placement test if they have transcripts showing completion of college-level English and/or math at another academic institution, qualifying High School GPA or SAT/ACT test scores. Please speak to an advisor to review your options.
- Complete the required prerequisite coursework with appropriate overall GPA. Please consult with a Nursing/Allied Health Advisor in the Office of Admissions and Advising (RCF-242) to get the most current information on prerequisites and requirements. The College reserves the right to change unilaterally, without notification, any requirement, fee or program if it is deemed necessary.
- Have Prior Credit: Submit official college transcripts for all colleges you wish to transfer credit; complete an Official Transcript Evaluation Request Form
- Complete 50 hours of documented observation time in at least two different physical therapy facilities and turn in a signed PTA Clinical Experience Documentation with application by the January 15 deadline. Please note, applicants that have applied before do not need to submit new form.
- Complete the supplemental application for admission to the Physical Therapist Assistant Program and submit online. The application fee is $25. The application cycle for PTA runs between September 15 and January 15 of each school year, with the January date as the final deadline.
- The PTA Supplemental Application will be available September 15 - January 15. Click here for directions.
- PTA Clinical Observation Form
Physical Therapist Assistant Program Documents
Clinical Requirement
- A drug screening and criminal background check will be required prior to enrollment in any nursing and allied health clinical course in order to ensure the safety of patients in the clinical setting. Students who do not comply with the drug screening and criminal background check are ineligible for placement in clinical agencies and are not able to progress in the clinical program. It is the student’s responsibility to know whether they are eligible for licensure. If a student has a criminal background, it is the students’ responsibility to explore whether the background will prohibit them from being licensed and employed in the health care industry. HCC faculty and staff are not able to provide legal advice. If you have any questions about your background, you may wish to discuss this matter with legal counsel.
- Students are not required to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination to accept a clinical seat. However, students who decline the COVID-19 vaccine should be aware that clinical site availability may be limited due to partner facility requirements. Clinical placements are not guaranteed for students who choose not to be vaccinated, which may impact progression and completion of their program.
- As of Fall 2022, ALL students are required to show proof of health insurance. HCC does not provide or sponsor health insurance for students.
Additional Information
- Information for Admitted Students - what you need to know to prepare for your program, once admitted to the clinical portion of the program
- Physical Therapist Assistant Program Financial Fact Sheet