Physical Therapist Assistant

The Physical Therapist Assistant program is designed to train students in the various exercises, techniques and uses of equipment necessary for the physical rehabilitation of a patient. The physical therapist assistant works under the supervision and direction of a licensed physical therapist.  The vision of the physical therapy profession is to transform society by optimizing movement to improve the human experience. The goal of physical therapy is to improve or restore a patient’s function following injury, illness or disease.  In order to do so, the therapist employs techniques such as heat and cold treatments, ultrasound, massage, and prescribed exercise programs which may involve the use of mechanical equipment.  The physical therapist assistant performs many of the functions of this process: monitoring patient progress, instructing patients in the use of therapy aids and assisting in the performance of prescribed exercises while considering age, diagnosis, psychosocial needs and the human movement system.

Physical Therapist Assistants are employed in a variety of settings including private, federal, state, or city hospitals and clinics, voluntary health agencies, public health agencies, home health care associations, skilled nursing facilities and school systems. 

You may also find it helpful to review essential program-related functions and other important information available on our website. To become a successful PTA student and entry-level clinician, one must be focused and have an interest and aptitude for learning a variety of skills.

The American Physical Therapy Association reports that the federal government has forecasted very good job prospects for PTAs and an unemployment rate of less than 3.9 percent. In 2016, the Health Collaborative (formerly the GCHC) quoted a vacancy rate of just 4-5 percent among local major hospitals.

Projections by JobsEQ®, a product of Chmura Economics & Analytics, predict a 2.2 percent annual increased need for new PTA’s over the next five years within the Greater Cincinnati tri-state area. The projections are a 37 percent increase in the need for new PTA positions in Ohio in order to replace those workers in the attrition stage and to grow over the next 10 years.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment is expected to grow much faster than average because of increasing demand for physical therapy services. The Bureau of Labor Statistics site displays a 32-percent increase in PTA demand from 2020-2030, with 14,700 annual openings per year.

For details on program graduation rates, employment rates, examination passing rates and other outcome statistics, visit the Program Outcomes page.

Academic advising is an essential part of your educational experience.

We are committed to providing advice and assistance throughout your academic journey. You and your advisor work together to create an academic plan based on your goals. 
 
Questions? Email us at clermont.advising@uc.edu or call 513-558-8317 to schedule an appointment.

UC Clermont students have access to free tutoring and academic support services through Learning Commons. The Learning Commons provides centralized academic support for all University of Cincinnati students by bringing together faculty, best-practices in teaching and learning, and hundreds of outstanding peer educators to create flexible academic success programming. Free services available to UC Clermont students include academic coaching, group review sessions, success skills workshops, and tutoring in writing, math, science and more. Services are available on-campus or virtually. Visit the Learning Commons webpage for more information or schedule an appointment online.

Academic Coaching – Academic coaches help students get organized and learn to be efficient and effective with their study time during one-on-one sessions. Academic Coaches work with students on new strategies or exercises to try before the next meeting and later meetings allow tailoring new approaches to develop the best study and test taking habits for unique goals and strengths. Schedule one-hour sessions as often as once per week.

Academic Writing Center (AWC) – The Academic Writing Center (AWC) offers tutoring for all stages of the writing process, from brainstorming to incorporating research. The AWC is not course-specific and can help with discipline-specific documents, as well as non-course-based writing. Schedule a one-on-one appointment with a trained writing tutor or submit a paper online for feedback within 48 hours.

Group Review Sessions (GRS) – Group Review Sessions (GRS) are small study groups, led by a peer leader, that meet to review content that is covered in course-supported lectures each week. Find the list of supported courses on the Learning Commons website.

Math & Science Support Center (MASS) – The MASS Center offers virtual study tables for many undergraduate mathematics and science courses. Study tables provide a collaborative learning space so that students can learn from their peers who have excelled (the table leader) as well as their fellow class members attending the study table. No appointment is necessary for these scheduled group study sessions. You can view the up-to-date study table schedule on the Learning Commons website.

Peer Tutoring – Peer tutoring sessions are one-on-one with a subject-specific tutor to answer questions and help you master content in more than 200 undergraduate courses, including subjects such as math, science, languages and business. Schedule appointments up to 7 days in advance for one-hour, 90-minute or two-hour session. If you notice your desired course is not offered, please let us know.

Preparatory Composition – Students enrolled in UC Clermont Preparatory English (ENGL0099) courses have dedicated support from professional tutors. Information about these services and how to connect with the tutor is included in the course syllabus.

Success Skills Workshops – Success Skills Workshops are free one-hour sessions that focus on skills students need to be successful in college (study skills, note-taking, motivation, etc.). While there is no shortcut to success, the goal of the workshops is to empower students to identify and apply academic habits and soft skills through a deeper understanding and purpose of them. When students RSVP for a workshop, they will be able to register for the upcoming workshops one at a time and up to nine days prior to the workshop date.

Canvas Navigator Workshop – Designed to help students who are new to college and need help navigating their coursework online. The workshop shows students how to access their course materials, publisher homework, quizzes, textbooks, academic services like tutoring, and more. Students who attend this workshop can expect to gain clarity on what they need to do on a weekly basis to stay on track with their course work throughout the semester, which helps students stay motivated leading to greater confidence and success in their courses.

Math Placement Test Workshop – Offered to prospective and current UC students who want to brush up on their math skills before taking the Math Placement Test. The free synchronous online workshop is led by a UC Clermont professional tutor. The three-week workshop series is offered monthly except in January. It is recommended that students sign up for all three weeks to get the maximum benefit from these workshops.

Math for Science Students Workshop – Designed for students enrolled in entry-level biology and chemistry courses, these workshops cover foundational math concepts that students need to success in their science courses. The synchronous online workshops are led by a UC Clermont tutor. The workshop repeats each week starting the week before classes begin and continuing through week 3 of the semester.

In order to graduate from UC Clermont, a student must:

• Complete all required course work and program requirements.
• Obtain at least a 2.0 university grade point average.
• Be in good academic standing; that is, not on academic or disciplinary probation or suspension.
• Meet the college's residency requirement of 20 semester credit hours.
• File formal application for the degree by the posted semester of graduation deadline.

While UC Clermont accepts transfer applications all year long, admission to the second-year technical core is a selective admission process and requires a separate application during November-December of your first year.

The program offers special informational sessions often to assist students in their transition. These are announced college wide and are available on the PTA Website.  Please be aware admission to the PTA cohort happens ONLY once per year. 

If you have not taken college-level mathematics or English, you will need to take the placement test.

Other UC students may transfer into Clermont College by completing an application for change in college and program. The college recommends you see your advisor before transferring into a different major to minimize any impact on your degree progress.

Admission to the second-year technical core is a selective admission process and requires a separate application during November-December of your first year.

You must demonstrate English proficiency. You must also meet admissions deadlines and visa requirements, and provide documentation of sufficient funds before we can complete your admission. Please call the International Admissions Office (513) 556-2069 for details or email with questions.

Learn more about becoming an international student at UC Clermont.

The Physical Therapist Assistant Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE). The program was first accredited through the University of Cincinnati College of Allied Health in 1987. Transfer of sponsorship to Clermont College was approved in November 2009, maintaining its full accreditation status. The Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education has re-accredited this program until December 31, 2026.

Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), 1111 North Fairfax Street, Alexandria, Virginia 22314; telephone: 703-706-3245; email: accreditation@apta.org

To confirm the current CAPTE accreditation status for the program, please visit the program website.

The 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 upon the following: Accreditation of a physical therapist or physical therapists assistant program by CAPTE 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 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, please refer to the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy.