Physical Therapist Assistant, A.S.

Please note that program prerequisite courses have changed. Carefully review the following information to ensure your application to the Program satisfies the posted requirements.

The following prerequisite requirements must be completed in order to apply to the Physical Therapist Assistant Program:

1. Possess overall college GPA of 2.50.
2. Complete the following prerequisite coursework with a grade of "C" or better:
   • BSC2085/L Anatomy and Physiology I with lab
   • BSC2086/L Anatomy and Physiology II with lab
   • ENC1101 College Composition
   • HSC2531 Medical Terminology
   • Choose one of the following Physics courses with the lab(PHY course substitutions possible. Contact Health Sciences advisor.)
     • PHY2048/L
     • PHY2053/L
     • PHY1007/L
     • PHY2004/L
   • *Choose one of the following Math courses:
     • MAC1105 College Algebra
     • MGF1130 Mathematical Thinking
     • STA2023 Statistics
   • Choose one of the following Social/Behavioral Sciences courses:
     • AMH2020 US History Since 1877
     • POS2041 American National Government
   • Choose one of the following Humanities/Fine Arts courses:
     • ARH1000 Art Appreciation
     • HUM2020 Introduction to Humanities
     • LIT1000 Literature Appreciation
     • MUL1010 Music Appreciation
     • PHI2010 Introduction to Philosophy
     • THE1000 Theater Appreciation

*Successful completion of MGF1106 and/or MFG1107 prior to the 2025-2026 academic year may be used to satisfy the mathematics core in lieu of MGF1130.

All transcripts and coursework must be evaluated and accepted by Santa Fe College prior to the application date in order to qualify for application.

To help protect patients and students, upon acceptance to a Health Science Program, all students must undergo state and federal background checks and show proof of certain immunizations and negative drug screenings as required by clinical affiliates. Students will be provided instructions to complete these tasks at the appropriate time. For more information regarding the application process, please visit the "Before You Apply" webpage.

For more information on program specific expectations and to view the Allied Health Student Handbook, please visit the "Prospective and Current Students" webpage.

See Application Dates and Deadlines and closely review other requirements Before You Apply.

All tuition and fees are estimated costs and subject to change without notice.

Program Costs Breakdown

Tuition for 74 Credit Hours

• $7,900.98 Florida Residents
• $28,334.60 Non-Florida Residents

Lab Fees: $1,050.71

Additional Expenses

• $200.00 Uniforms/Shoes
• $950.00 Required Textbooks
• $600.00 Laptop Computer w/Webcam
• $900.00 Health Physical and Immunizations
• $80.00 Flu Vaccination (2)
• $65.00 American Heart Association Basic Life Support Certification
• $51.90 On-line Expanded National Background Screening
• $135.00 Drug Screening Test
• $68.00 Level 2 Background Screening Fingerprinting
• $65.00 State Laws and Rules Exam and Licensing Fee
• $485.00 National Licensing Exam (NPTAE) Fee
• $180.00 Application and License fee to Board
• $124.50 Testing Vendor Fees
• $200.00 Miscellaneous Clinical Expenses: Tracking Software, Database, Parking
• $250.00 Additional mid-program background checks, drug screen, physical update

Program Cost Totals

• $13,306.09 Florida Residents
• $33,739.71 Non-Florida Residents

Scholarships

There are many scholarships available for Santa Fe College students to apply to. Please visit the Scholarships webpage for more information and how to apply.

Financial Aid

There are many options to finance your education. You may be eligible for Federal Grants, Work Study, State Grants, Federal Loans, and Institutional Scholarships. Please visit the Financial Aid page for more information and how to apply.

Selection criteria and points system is subject to change. It is the applicant's responsibility to check with the Health Sciences Advisement Office for up-to-date requirements and information.

Prior Degree and/or Certification (Maximum Points = 9)

• B.A./B.S. or higher (7 PTS)
• A.A./A.S. (2 PTS)
• Current Patient Care Certification (CNA, EMT, Medical Assistant, etc.) (2 PTS)

All-College GPA (Maximum Points = 20)

• 3.75 – 4.00 (20 PTS)
• 3.50 – 3.74 (15 PTS)
• 3.25 – 3.49 (10 PTS)
• 3.00 – 3.24 (5 PTS)
• 2.75 – 2.99 (3 PTS)
• 2.50 – 2.74 (1 PT)

Prerequisite Coursework GPA (Maximum Points = 20)

• 3.75 – 4.00 (20 PTS)
• 3.50 – 3.74 (15 PTS)
• 3.25 – 3.49 (10 PTS)
• 3.00 – 3.24 (5 PTS)
• 2.75 – 2.99 (3 PTS)
• 2.50 – 2.74 (1 PT)

Military Service (5 PTS)

Five points will be awarded to US Armed Forces active duty and honorably discharged veterans. Includes recent Reservist and National Guard combat deployments. DD-214 or proof of current service required. Minimum of 1 year active duty service required. Part-time Reservist or National Guard service must be documented separately and equal 365 active duty days (i.e., weekend service, annual 2-week assignment and deployment). Service dates may be combined with proper documentation. Veterans who receive a general discharge must be classified without misconduct.

The Mission of the PTA Program is to add value to the lives of students and the community by graduating competent entry-level PTA's to work under the supervision of a licensed physical therapist; and enhance the profession of physical therapy through application of knowledge, skills, and service.

Goal 1: Graduates:

Graduates will perform competently as Physical Therapist Assistants under the direction and supervision of a licensed Physical Therapist.

Goal 2: Program

The PTA Program will provide a variety of effective learning experiences including classroom, laboratory, interprofessional, service learning, and clinical education.

Goal 3: Faculty

The PTA Faculty will be effective in teaching and delivery of information.

Goal 4: Faculty

PTA core faculty will be engaged in service to the college.

Related Program Student Learning Outcomes:

Students will:

1. Demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities required for entry-level physical therapist assistants.
2. Interpret and carry out the physical therapy plan of care.
3. Implement, progress, modify, or discontinue interventions appropriately based on patient condition, response to treatment, and safety inconjunction with the supervising physical therapist.
4. Communicate in a professional, effective, and appropriate manner with all stakeholders.
5. Participate in community and professional service

The Physical Therapist Assistant program spans four semesters with courses meeting in a variety of formats to include: on-campus, online, and virtually. In addition, students will conduct clinical internships at local and regional hospitals.

The program is academically rigorous and requires students to be available Monday thru Friday 8am – 4:30pm

The Physical Therapist Assistant program is a total of 74.0 credit hours, including prerequisite requirements. Program core courses: 47.0 credit hours. Pre-requisite courses: 27.0 credit hours.

The Technical courses must be taken as a cohort in the order indicated below. The prerequisite requirements listed in "Requirements for Admission" may be taken in any order based on course offerings.

Term 1 Fall (12.0 credit hours)

• PHT1000C PTA Principles and Procedures with lab (4 credit hours)
• PHT1121C Kinesiology/Anatomy for PTA with lab (4 credit hours)
• PHT1132C Musculoskeletal Disorders with lab (4 credit hours)

Term 2 Spring (12.0 credit hours)

• PHT2210C Modalities with lab (4 credit hours)
• PHT2162C Neurologic Disorders and Treatment with lab (4 credit hours)
• PHT2220C Therapeutic Exercise I with lab (4 credit hours)

Term 3 Summer (9.0 credit hours)

• PHT1301 Principles of Disease (3 credit hours)
• PHT2800 Clinical Experience I (6 credit hours)

Term 4 Fall (14.0 credit hours)

• PHT2228C Therapeutic Exercise II with lab (4 credit hours)
• PHT2931 PTA Seminar (2 credit hours)
• PHT2932 Special Topics (2 credit hours)
• PHT2810 Clinical Experience II (6 credit hours)

The Physical Therapist Assistant Program (PTA) is a practice discipline with cognitive, sensory, affective and psychomotor performance requirements. Applicants should assess their aptitude and ability to perform professional duties by reviewing the Program Performance Standards below and discussing them with their healthcare provider. Applicants who identify potential difficulties with meeting the Program Performance Standards should communicate their concerns to the Academic Chair for Allied Health Programs. If the concern is related to a documented disability, applicants are responsible for contacting the Disabilities Resource Center for determination of reasonable and appropriate accommodation.

Critical Thinking

Standard: Critical thinking sufficient for clinical judgment.
Example: Work under the supervision of a licensed Physical Therapist to determine and implement treatment based on a physical therapy plan of care. Interpret medical charts. Determine with input from the Physical Therapist, when to progress, alter, or withhold treatment.

Interpersonal

Standard: Interpersonal abilities sufficient to interact with individuals, families and groups from a variety of social, emotional, cultural and intellectual backgrounds.
Example: Communicate effectively, appropriately, and sensitively with patients, families and health care providers.

Communication

Standard: Communication abilities sufficient for interaction with others in verbal and written form.
Example: Communicate effectively, appropriately and sensitively with patients, families and caregivers. Document response to therapy; document therapeutic procedure performed on patient; consult with supervising Physical Therapist and other healthcare providers. The student must be able to read, write, see, speak, hear and interpret written and verbal communication in English.

Mobility

Standard: Physical abilities sufficient to move independently from room to room and through hallways; maneuver in small places.
Example: Perform complex motor skills necessary to provide therapeutic intervention and emergency treatment to patients and possess the necessary physical strength to transfer, ambulate, guard and reposition patients safely. Move patient to/from wheelchair, stretcher or bed. Assist in patient transport, mobility and ambulation.

Tactile and Motor Skills

Standard: Gross and fine motor abilities sufficient to safely and effectively perform cardiopulmonary skills. Tactile ability sufficient for physical assessment.
Example: Possess fine and gross motor skills to accurately assess patients through palpation, range of motion, and manual muscle testing.

Hearing

Standard: Auditory ability sufficient to monitor and assess health needs.
Example: Hear to accurately assess vital signs, monitor equipment, alarms and alerts; communicate verbally with patients, family, staff and other healthcare providers.

Visual

Standard: Visual ability sufficient for physical observation.
Example: Read patient charts, flow sheets and equipment; use visual inspection to monitor and assess patient status, mobility and movement patterns, pain, vital signs and response to therapy.

Professional Appearance

As a representative of Santa Fe College and the Physical Therapist Assistant Program, students must abide by specific professional appearance guidelines required by our clinical affiliates. Hair must be maintained within the range of natural color and must be conservative in length and style. Clothing and footwear must comply with standards prescribed by the program. Facial hair should be kept neat and trimmed short.

Program Effectiveness captures the quality of a program using qualitative data such as program completion, national exam pass rates and job placement.

Graduation Rate

• 2022 - 83%
• 2023 – 77.8%
• Two-year average – 80.4%

Licensure Exam First-time Pass Rate (%)

• 2022 - 80%
• 2023 – 100%
• Two-year average - 90%

Licensure Exam Ultimate Pass Rate (%)

• 2022 - 90%
• 2023 – 100%
• Two-year average - 95%

Employment Rate at 1-year post graduation (%)

• 2021 – 100%
• 2022 – 100%
• 2023 - TBD
• Two-year average – 100%

Disclosure

The Cost of Attendance (COA) is not the bill that you will receive from Santa Fe College. It is an estimate of what it costs the typical student to attend Santa Fe College for one academic year including tuition, books, course materials, living expenses, transportation, and miscellaneous personal expenses.

Tuition and fees in the cost of attendance below are calculated for credit hour programs, assuming enrollment in 12 credit hours in the Fall and Spring semesters. Actual tuition and fees may vary by program. For a better understanding of your chosen program’s tuition and fees, see program costs above.

Undergraduate Lower Division Courses (A.A./A.S. Degree Courses)

	Off-Campus*	Off-Campus with Parent**
Tuition and Fees In-State: $106.77 per credit Out-Of-State: $382.90 per credit	In-State: $2,563 Out-Of-State: $9,190	In-State: $2,563 Out-Of-State: $9,190
Books, Course Materials, Supplies, and Equipment	$783	$783
Living Expenses (Food & Housing)	$10,367	$3,654
Miscellaneous Personal Expenses	$2,394	$2,394
Transportation	$1,197	$3,942
Total	In-State: $17,304 Out-Of-State: $23,931	In-State: $13,336 Out-Of-State: $19,963

Undergraduate Upper Division Courses (Bachelor's Degree Courses)

	Off-Campus*	Off-Campus with Parent**
Tuition and Fees In-State: $126.33 per credit Out-Of-State: $428.83 per credit	In-State: $3,032 Out-Of-State: $10,292	In-State: $3,032 Out-Of-State: $10,292
Books, Course Materials, Supplies, and Equipment	$783	$783
Living Expenses (Food & Housing)	$10,367	$3,654
Miscellaneous Personal Expenses	$2,394	$2,394
Transportation	$1,197	$3,942
Total	In-State: $17,773 Out-Of-State: $25,033	In-State: $13,805 Out-Of-State: $21,065

*Off-Campus: you intend to live off-campus but not with your parent(s).

**Off-Campus with Parent: you intend to live with your parent(s) or other relatives.

Note: All costs and rates are subject to change for the upcoming year.

For more detailed information, visit SF's Cost of Attendance page.