Physical Therapist Assistant

Want to enter one of today’s most rapidly growing and rewarding careers? Become a physical therapist assistant (PTA) by earning an associate degree from Mercyhurst North East. This program will prepare you to become an important member of a health care team, where you will work under a physical therapist to provide hands-on care that helps improve mobility, relieve pain, and prevent or limit permanent physical disabilities of patients suffering from injuries or disease. Through both classroom and clinical work, you will gain the knowledge and skills needed to become a physical therapist assistant in a variety of settings.

The Mercyhurst North East Physical Therapist Assistant Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education of the American Physical Therapy Association. When you complete the program, you’ll be eligible to complete the National Physical Therapy Examination for the physical therapist assistant, which is required by most states to become a PTA.

Events
Each year the PTA program hosts an on-campus exam review course for students graduating from the program and for recent graduates.  The course is presented by Scorebuilders, a nationally recognized organization specializing in examination review resources and services.

In 2004, the program hosted an alumni reception celebrating ten years. The reception was attended by more than 40 guests and included giveaways, food and entertainment.

Physical Therapist Assistant Club
While in the program students participate in the PTA club, which organizes fundraising events and plans professional activities. The PTA Club, with funding from MNE Student Government, holds one to two Massage-a-Thon sessions each year, providing massages to the college community. In addition, various other fundraising events are held. Students use the funds to participate in our annual Pennsylvania Physical Therapy Association State Conference, where they have an opportunity to interact with other students and professionals within the physical therapy community and participate in a variety of educational offerings.