Whatcom Community College
Home MenuPhysical Therapist Assistant
Physical therapist assistant at Whatcom
Physical therapist assistant, associate of applied science (AAS) (111 credits)
The physical therapist assistant (PTA) degree contains prerequisite courses and the PTA core of physical therapy application courses and practical clinical experience.
Once admitted into the core PTA program, there are two formats available to students:
Full-time, on campus (beginning every fall)
Part-time, online/hybrid (beginning every spring)
Click here to see the quarter-by-quarter sequence of classes for each pathway option.
Upon graduating from the PTA program, you are eligible to take the National Physical Therapy Exam (NPTE), which is a requirement for licensure in Washington state.
Find out more at an information session!
These sessions cover a lot and will likely answer most of your questions. See the Events calendar at the bottom of this page for the schedule of upcoming PTA program information sessions.
PTA program mission
The PTA program will produce entry-level physical therapist assistants who possess the knowledge and skill necessary to work under the supervision of the physical therapist while providing safe and competent patient services for the prevention or alleviation of physical impairment. The program strives to instill in the student professional qualities of ethical practice; awareness of diverse people and of a global society; individual responsibility for lifelong learning; the ability to engage in clinical problem solving; and a dedication to the promotion of personal wellness including physical activity.
Accreditation
The Physical Therapist Assistant program at Whatcom Community College 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 please call 360-383-3500 or email bhenoch@whatcom.edu.
This program is designed to prepare students to become licensed in Washington state. Accredited programs such as WCC's also meet the educational requirements for graduates to pursue licensure in the other states. If your goal is to be a licensed PTA in another state, we encourage you to check with the licensing agency in that state before you begin the program.
PTA student outcome data
Click here for information on number of applicants, number of graduates, licensing pass rates and employment. "Total applicants" refers to the number of applications received which had all application requirements satisfied on or before the application deadline.
PTA program financial fact sheet
Click here for an estimate of the total student costs associated with completing the WCC physical therapist assistant program.