Physical Therapist Assistant

In Germanna's Physical Therapist (PTA) program, you'll learn to provide care under the supervision of a licensed Physical Therapist to restore function to individuals affected by physical impairments, dysfunction, and disabilities.

This dynamic and in-demand profession is well-suited to students with strong academic abilities and the desire to make a difference in the lives of others.

Detailed program information and course requirements can be found in the College Catalog.

Physical Therapist Assistant and patient doing exercises

Class Locations

Locust Grove Campus

Application Dates

Germanna program
April 15 to May 15
Laurel Ridge expansion program
April 15 to May 15 each odd-numbered year

Application Information Packet

Download the PDF

How to get started

1. Become a Germanna student

Apply to Germanna
Take the online new student orientation
Schedule an advising appointment through Navigate (select Health Professions Preparation) or via email
Request official transcripts from AP or IB high school or college courses
Complete the transcript evaluation form (if you have previous courses that you wish to be evaluated) and submit it using one of the following methods:
1. In person (Welcome Center or Admissions and Records)
2. Email
3. Fax: (540) 423-9158
4. Mail (Germanna Community College, Attn: Admissions and Records, P.O. Box 1430, Locust Grove, VA 22508)
Apply for financial aid (if applicable)

2. Complete prerequisites

Your grades for prerequisite courses must appear on your transcripts when you submit your PTA program application.

Course ID	Course Name	Credits
SDV 101	Orientation	1
ENG 111	Composition I	3
PSY 230	Developmental Psychology	3
BIO 141	Human Anatomy and Physiology I	4
-	Humanities Elective	3

3. Attend an information session

4. Meet with a PTA advisor

Applicants must schedule a final advising appointment with one of the PTA faculty members between November 15 and May 1. You do not need to have all requirements completed prior to this meeting, but prerequisite coursework should be in your Germanna record.

Make an appointment at Germanna Community College

Call Email

Make an appointment at Laurel Ridge Community College

Call Email

5. Take the TEAS exam

6. Apply to the program

7. Complete a background check

Upon acceptance into the PTA program, all students must complete:

A background check
Relevant documentation in the Medical Document Manager
The eLearning Tracker
A drug test

When you receive a conditional offer of acceptance into the PTA program, you'll also receive instructions for completing these requirements.

The background check will require you to provide personal identifying information for security and compliance purposes. Supplying accurate and comprehensive information will affect the speed in which your order is processed. You must use your college email address when creating your account with the contracted vendor. This will be the primary contact method for alerts and messages regarding your credentialing process.

Still have questions?

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Physical Therapist Assistant Student Outcomes

All outcomes are reported as a two-year average of graduate data from 2023-2024.

88%

Graduation rate
Locust Grove

88%

Licensure pass rate
Locust Grove

100%

Employment rate
Locust Grove

50%

Graduation rate
Laurel Ridge expansion

100%

Licensure pass rate
Laurel Ridge expansion

100%

Employment rate
Laurel Ridge expansion

The Physical Therapist Assistant program prepares the graduate with the skills, knowledge, and attitudes expected of an entry-level physical therapist assistant. The program provides training in the evidence-based practice of safe and effective physical therapy care delivery, across the spectrum of care and with sensitivity to differences in age, gender, and cultural background.

The program is a full-time commitment, five semesters in length (68 credits), and culminates in an Associate of Applied Science Degree. Graduates will be prepared to take the National Licensing Examination, administered by the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT). Graduation from a PTA program accredited with The Commission on Accreditation of Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) is required to sit for the PTA licensure examination in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Successfully passing the licensure exam permits the graduate to enter the workforce as an entry-level Physical Therapist Assistant.

Students in the PTA program must provide proof of immunization against MMR, influenza, Varicella, Tdap, and Hepatitis B, and are required to complete documentation of a medical exam prior to attending clinical education.

Although Germanna Community College does not require all health professional students to be vaccinated with the COVID-19 vaccine to be admitted into a restricted admissions health program, the vaccination (and other immunizations and vaccinations) may be required by our clinical facilities in order for our students to enter these facilities. A clinical facility's decision to mandate the COVID-19 vaccine or other vaccines and immunizations is independent of Germanna Community College.

Members of the general public have the ability to express a concern or register a complaint regarding the PTA program or its graduates through the PTA Program Director. Call (540) 423-9844 to register a complaint.

Unresolved complaints may be directed to the Associate Dean of Nursing and Health Technologies. All complaints will be documented and filed electronically in program records. Contact Dr. April Morgan via email at amorgan@germanna.edu.

Accreditation concerns may be directed to the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education.

Cost of Attendance

The Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) along with Germanna Community College invite you to use the Cost of Attendance Student Financial Fact Sheet. The Student Financial Fact Sheet can help determine the cost of attendance.

The purpose of the Student Financial Fact Sheet is to provide the public with current, accurate, reliable, and easily available information about the cost of attendance. This is in accordance with CAPTE Rules of Practice and Procedures 8.20(c) Student Costs.

Financial Fact Sheet

Contact

Tracy Williams, Physical Therapist Assistant Program Director

Tracey Williams, PTA, M.ED.

Director, Physical Therapist Assistant Program

(540) 423-9844
twilliams@germanna.edu

Dr. Kristin Goodman

Director of Clinical Education, Physical Therapist Assistant Program

(540) 423-9146
kgoodman@germanna.edu

Dr. Rekha Parameswaran

Site Coordinator, PTA Program at Laurel Ridge

For more information about this program or institution, email rparameswaran@laurelridge.edu.

Accreditation Information

State Licensure/Certification

The Germanna PTA program has determined that its curriculum meets the state educational requirements for licensure or certification in all states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands secondary to its accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education, based on the following:

CAPTE accreditation of a physical therapist or physical therapist assistant program satisfies state educational requirements in all states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Thus, students graduating from CAPTE-accredited physical therapist and physical therapist assistant education programs are eligible to take the National Physical Therapy Examination and to apply for licensure in all states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. For more information regarding state qualifications and licensure requirements, visit the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy website.

The Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE)

The Physical Therapist Assistant program at Germanna Community College (including the offering at Laurel Ridge Community College) is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE).

CAPTE
3030 Potomac Ave Suite 100
Alexandria, VA 22305-3085

Phone: 703-706-3245
Email: accreditation@apta.org
Website: http://www.capteonline.org

To contact the program/institution directly, call-540-423-9844 or email ptassistant@germanna.edu. The satellite location, offered in cooperation with Laurel Ridge Community College, operates under the GCC PTA accreditation. To contact the program/institution directly, email tgore@laurelridge.edu.

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