Physical Therapist Assistant A.A.S.
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Physical Therapist Assistant A.A.S.
Help people move and function in their daily lives to reach short- and long-term health and fitness goals. The University of Alaska Anchorage offers the only accredited physical therapist assistant program in Alaska that prepares students for national licensure.
Explore the physical therapist assistant associate degree program at the University of Alaska Anchorage
To help address the shortage of qualified PTAs in Alaska, this accredited associate degree program prepares undergraduate students to sit for the National Physical Therapy Examination for Physical Therapist Assistants. All states require PTAs to be licensed or certified.Physical therapist assistant scholarships and financial aid
Student advising and support
Student clubs and activities
- Alaska Physical Therapy Association
Did you know..
An alumnus from the class of 2016 earned the highest score possible on the National Physical Therapy Examination for Physical Therapist Assistants.
What can you do with a physical therapist assistant degree from UAA?
Preparing you for entry-level employment as a licensed physical therapist assistant,
UAA’s program offers a variety of pathways to opportunities for independent practice
and career advancement.
Related programs
- Bachelor of Science in health sciences, pre-professional track with an emphasis in physical therapy
- Bachelor of Science in health, physical education and recreation with an emphasis in health and fitness leadership
- Doctor of Occupational Therapy
Physical therapist assistant careers
- Hospitals
- Rehabilitation centers
- Nursing homes
- Home and public health agencies
- Schools
- Private practices
- Military services
By the numbers..
Physical therapist assistant associate degree program highlights
Get real-world experience interacting with patients, families and other health care professionals and responding to the changing dynamics of health care systems.
- Gain 15 weeks of on-the-job-training at clinical sites in Anchorage and throughout Alaska. You’ll complete three clinical rotations — a one-week experience in the spring and two seven-week rotations in the fall — with clinical instructors who provide hands-on instruction in patient care.
- Learn from program faculty who have advanced training and experience in physical therapy. Led by the Alaska Physical Therapy Association president, program faculty are all licensed to practice in Alaska. Their specialties include orthopedics, ergonomics, lymphedema, cardiopulmonary and vascular systems, acute care and ICU, psychosocial adaptation to disability and differential diagnosis.
As a valuable member of a health care team, physical therapist assistants 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.
In addition to resources shared with the School of Allied Health’s related degree programs, UAA’s physical therapist assistant program has its own dedicated PTA lab with physical therapy resources.
Highly successful in preparing students for the National Physical Therapy Examination for Physical Therapist Assistants, UAA’s accredited physical therapist assistant degree program boasted a 100 percent pass rate in 2016.
Physical therapist assistant associate degree program curriculum
With a focus on evidence-based practice, as well as ethical, legal and regulatory
standards, UAA’s physical therapist associate degree program explores principles of
physical, biological and behavioral sciences as they relate to clinical practice.
Coursework prepares you with knowledge and skills in exercises for mobility, coordination
and strength; training others how to use physical agents such as crutches, canes and
walkers; and manual therapy and electrotherapy such as ultrasound.
Top classes for physical therapist assistant majors
- Kinesiology and Biomechanics
- Psychosocial Aspects of Health Care
- Therapeutic Exercise
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