As a physical therapist assistant, you’ll help people move
and
function in their daily lives, and assist them in reaching their
short-
and long-term fitness goals!
The Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) program prepares you to become an entry-level
licensed PTA. You’ll learn to conduct exercises for mobility, coordination and strength.
You’ll also develop skills in manual therapy and physical agents like electrotherapy,
heat or cold, and learn to train clients to use assistive devices such as crutches
and walkers.
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. Some of the care provided by a PTA may include teaching patients or clients
exercises for mobility, strength and coordination, training for activities such as
walking with crutches, canes or walkers, using manual therapy, physical agents and
electrotherapy. PTAs also observe the patient's abilities and report their observations
to the physical therapist.
*The Physical Therapist Assistant program is designed to meet the educational requirements
for professional licensure or certification in Alaska. However, the program might
not meet the educational requirements for other states' professional licensure or
certification. Please see UAA’s Licensure and Certificate website for more information.
WHY CHOOSE Physical therapy assistant AT UAA?
100% job placement rate of Alumni who passed the national physical therapist assistant
licensing exam.
Graduates are eligible to take the National Physical Therapy Examination for Physical Therapist Assistants.
Learn from program faculty who have advanced training and experience in physical therapy.
Program is fully accredited by the Comission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy
Education.
Monica Roe has built a remarkable career that bridges rural health care and children’s literature, drawing on her decade of experience as a physical therapist in remote Alaska. Now completing her Master of Public Health at UAA, she explores disability, community resilience, and access through both research and storytelling. Her journey highlights the power of curiosity, mentorship, and embracing unexpected opportunities.
In January 2026, students from the College of Health showcased their public health research at the Alaska Public Health Association Summit’s annual poster session. Their projects spanned topics ranging from food security to environmental contamination, contributing valuable insights that help shape the evolving conversation around Alaska’s public health landscape.
Master of Nursing Education and Leadership student Wendy DeGraffenried reflects on her educational and professional journey. As a school nurse and adjunct instructor, Wendy found her passion in mentoring other nursing professionals – something that she hopes to carry forward with her as she starts a new chapter.
Elaina Mack, a senior kinesiology major from King Cove, broke school records with 10 successful three-point shots in the Seawolves game against Northwest U. Mack scored a total of 41 points over the course of the game.
On September 27, the women’s volleyball team invited faculty to join them on the court for Faculty & Staff Appreciation Night. Among the honorees were four standout educators from the College of Health, each nominated by students.
Message from the interim director
Welcome to the UAA Physical Therapist Assistant Program! We are excited that you are
interested in the program. The Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) is an integral part
of the health care team that implements physical therapy treatment plans under the
supervision of a Physical Therapist (PT). We are happy to offer this program at UAA.
The program is a combination of didactic and hands-on lab experiences. It is rigorous
and very time consuming. However, it is set up for students to be successful in the
clinical environment as entry-level Physical Therapist Assistants. PTA students are
taught skills such as therapeutic exercise, orthopedic and neurological interventions,
therapeutic modalities, clinical thinking, and the art of patient care. In addition
to patient treatment courses, students study the basic sciences of anatomy, physiology,
clinical pathology, and kinesiology. Clinical experiences are integrated throughout
the curriculum in a variety of clinical settings under the supervision of a Physical
Therapist or Physical Therapist Assistant, offering students opportunities to practice
their skills and critical-thinking processes.
The goal of physical therapy is to aid patients and clients in their return to maximal
function. Graduates are eligible to sit for the National Physical Therapist Assistant
exam through the Federation of State Boards in Physical Therapy upon successful completion
of the program. State licensure is required to practice as a PTA.
