Program Overview
Physical therapist assistants, often called PTAs, work under the direction and supervision
of physical therapists. They help patients who are recovering from injuries and illnesses
regain movement and manage pain.
Patients may include accident victims and individuals with short- and long-term disabling conditions, such as low back pain, fractures, head injuries, arthritis, heart disease and cerebral palsy.
Delta's program is four semesters long, starting in the fall. It's a cohort program, so you come in as a group and take your classes together from your first semester until your last. Each semester in the Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) program, students take 12+ credits and requires a full-time commitment to be successful. Students spend many hours outside of class studying and practicing their skills.
Most PTA courses are offered on campus during the day, however students may occasionally be asked to be available on nights or weekends for special events. Students also have more than 100 clinical sites to choose from.
In fact, Delta's PTA program has been active since 1976, making it the second oldest in Michigan. We believe our vast experience over such a long time period is one reason why our students have such a great national exam pass rate – 100%!
Professional licensure
When the students pass their national licensure exam, the passing score is acceptable for licensure in all 50 states. However, each state requires their own license application (and fee) to practice. Please contact the Coordinator for further information.
Be successful. Develop these skills.
- Customer service
- Motivation
- Physical fitness
- Problem solving
- Communication
- Decision making
- Patient mobility
- Pediatric and neuro rehabilitation
- Orthotics and prosthetics
- Orthopedic rehabilitation
- Fine and gross motor skills
At Delta College, we want every student to get the best education, so they're ready to hit the ground running when they graduate. Accreditation is one way we do that.
The Physical Therapist Assistant program at Delta College is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE). If needing to contact the program/institution directly, please call 989-686-9316 or email christopherhausbeck@delta.edu.
Alexandria, Virginia 22305-3085
703-706-3245
accreditation@apta.org
www.capteonline.org
Delta College PTA students and faculty are actively involved with the Michigan Physical
Therapy Association and the American Physical Therapy Association.
Reach100 is a nationwide call to membership for PT and PTA students to demonstrate their commitment to APTA membership. Delta College has reached Gold Status with 90-99% Membership.
The PTA Student Club gets involved with our community with multiple service projects and professional involvement.
Things like giving free assistive devices to community members, attending state and national conferences, volunteering at local community events and raising awareness for health-related causes are just a few examples of club activities.
Getting your degree in a health field is unique compared to other Delta programs. You must first take your prerequisite core courses, then you apply for validation.
What's validation?
The Registrar's Office validates your prerequisite courses to confirm you are eligible
to begin the clinical portion of your program.
Success Tips
- Declare the Physical Therapist Assistant program.
- Meet with your advisor regularly. Stay on track with what you need to do to apply.
- Apply for validation with the Registrar's Office once you've started your final semester of prerequisite courses.
- Stay connected for important updates from Delta!
The cost to attend Delta is less than half the cost of a university, which can add up to tens of thousands in savings. And we help find ways to pay for it. Last year, Delta students were awarded $26 million in financial aid, including nearly $640,000 in Delta College scholarships. That’s a lot of money available to students!
We want to make sure you're ready when you graduate and that the knowledge you gain from your Delta degree is top-notch.
Outcome 1
Demonstrate professional behaviors of the physical therapy field.
Outcome 2
Use relevant interpersonal skills to communicate with each diverse person in the healthcare
setting.
Outcome 3
Perform appropriate technical skills under the supervision of a physical therapist
to function as a competent entry-level physical therapist assistant.
Outcome 4
Utilize appropriate critical thinking abilities to carry out an established plan of
care under the supervision of a physical therapist.
Outcome 5
Demonstrate the ability to pass the National Physical Therapy Examination.
We think it's important to know how we're doing so we can continually improve our programs – collegewide. We work really hard to give our students the best possible education. So, we annually evaluate and show you what we find out.
Total percent of candidates by graduation year who took the NPTE and passed.
Licensure pass rates (first-time)
2022: 8/11 graduates; 72.7%
2023: 11/12 graduates; 91.7%
Two-year average: 82.6%
Source: The Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy, 2023
Licensure pass rates (ultimate)
2022: 10/11 graduates; 90.9%
2023: 11/12 graduates; 91.7%
Two-year average: 91.3%
Source: The Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy, 2023
2022: 68.8%
2023: 63.2%
Two-year average: 66%
Source: CAPTE Annual Accreditation Report, 2023
Employment rates
Employment in physical therapy (full-time or part-time) within six months of passing the licensure exam.
2021: 11/11 licensed graduates, 100%
2022: 10/10 licensed graduates, 100%
Two-year average: 100%
Source: graduate surveys and personal contact
Related Programs
Physical Therapist Assistant – Dual Associate with General Management
In addition to the Physical Therapist Assistant associate degree, Delta also offers a dual degree with General Management. With this program, you have the opportunity to earn a second associate degree in General Management at the same time as your dental hygiene associate's degree. It's a great way to get that business background and increase earning potential.
Physical Therapist Assistant – Dual Associate with Health Fitness Specialist
If you have an interest in wellness and health fitness, this dual associate degree in Health Fitness Specialist could be perfect for you! It's a great way to get additional training in personalized exercise and fitness to increase your earning potential.
Explore all programs
Delta College offers over 140 degree, certificate and training options. Whatever your path, when you leave here, you’ll be ready.
Transfer opportunities
One of the very best things about Delta College is your ability to start here and go on. And, in the process, save thousands (and thousands) of dollars. It's a smart choice!
In fact, if you're interested in earning a bachelor's degree, you have several options by coming to Delta first, and then transferring. Delta has signed transfer agreements to continue your studies with:
- Ferris State University - Allied Health Sciences
Interested? Make an appointment with academic advising to discuss your interests. Courses transfer differently based on the university you plan to attend. An advisor can help you determine the exact courses you need to get the education you’re looking for.
The transferability of courses between colleges/universities depends on the institution into which you transfer. Visit Transfer Programs and Procedures to see the full procedure.
100% of recent PTA graduates are currently employed.
97% of PTA grads passed their national licensure exam in a two-year average.
"Delta gave me the opportunity to see what goes on in the real world of physical therapy. Clinicals gave me real-life, hands-on experiences with patients."
Physical Therapist Assistant student