The Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) Program at Murray State College prepares students to successfully enter the Physical Therapy Profession as a dynamic member of the Physical Therapy Team.  Students who complete the program will earn an Associate in Applied Science Degree (AAS). 

The PTA program was initially accredited in April of 1997 and has graduated a class each year. 

• The program has a total of 367 graduates through August 2023. 
• Information regarding this program and all accredited programs may be found at www.capteonline.org.
• The program can be completed in five semesters and is offered in a full-time day format.
• Murray State College is a public institution. 

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Program Mission . . . To prepare graduates that can successfully enter the physical therapy profession; give client-centered physical therapy services as effective and valued team members who understand the role of the PT and the PTA in the provision of high-quality physical therapy services; and to be life-long learners with behaviors that support the core values of the profession. 

​Program Goals - The PTA program prepares graduates to work within the Physical Therapy Plan of Care and within a team including the physical therapist and:

1. Communicate effectively in providing and documenting client care.
2. Perform physical therapy measurement/assessment skills required of the entry level PTA.
3. Provide comprehensive physical therapy services to clients from across the life span in a safe and effective way.
4. Function as an accountable member of the physical therapy profession within the ethical and legal framework of the profession of physical therapy, accepting responsibility for high standards of physical therapy care including a commitment to on-going development and life-long learning.

The PTA program . . . 

• prepares students to become dynamic team members working with the direction and supervision of the physical therapist (PT). 
• is organized so that students can enter the PTA program after completing at least one semester of required course work and complete the remaining prerequisite courses while taking the first two PTA courses prior entering the second year (also called technical year) of the program. 
• requires that students must apply to and be accepted into the second year of the program.  The application procedures are updated annually and when changes are made, the procedures for any given year are finalized and made available to prospective students by September 1st of the year in which the student is applying.  
• typically accepts a class of eighteen (18) students that are from various backgrounds and represent both traditional and non-traditional students. 

The Faculty . . .

• provide a rigorous program of learning that involves student participation in active team learning throughout the program.
• believe that students are not all the same and require diverse learning opportunities to be successful.
• are experienced and dedicated to helping you achieve your goal of becoming a PTA.

Students . . .

• learn and perform skills in the academic environment before being assigned to a clinical site where they work under the supervision of clinical educators who support the program and allow students to experience working with patients.  
• participate in clinical experiences that are organized to meet the needs of the individual student and are supervised by approved qualified clinical instructors.  These clinical experiences are coordinated by faculty and provided by clinical instructors who agree to supervise the student at assigned and approved clinical sites, including hospitals and clinic settings in many areas. 

Program graduates . . . 

• are prepared to take the NPTE for the PTA. This is a nationally developed; state-approved test that must be successfully passed as part of the application process to become licensed as a PTA in the state in which they seek to be licensed.   
• enter the profession of physical therapy and give client-centered physical therapy service under the direction and supervision of a qualified physical therapist. 
• function as team members demonstrating effective teamwork between the PT, PTA, and the person receiving services and their family. 

PTA Curriculum

PROGRAM CURRICULUM & INFORMATION

For a suggested course sequence that includes required courses in the 1st year of the program as well as the actual PTA courses beginning in the spring of the 1st year, check out the PTA Program Curriculum Sheet.  Students apply to the 2nd year of the program during the fall semester of their 1st year.  

pTA Cost of Program

pTA Financial Fact Sheet

*This financial fact sheet is required in this format by CAPTE.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT THE PTA PROGRAM AT MURRAY STATE COLLEGE

If you would like more information on the profession then check out this link:  Learn Physical Therapy Basics 

Application Information

Clinical Observation Form

The PTA Application period is between September 1st and the third Thursday in November each year.  New Class Application Links will become available by September 1st of each year.

The PTA Application period is between September 1st and the third Thursday in November each year.  New Class Application Links will become available by September 1st of each year.