Stretch Your Mind
A Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) is a healthcare professional who works directly under the supervision of a Physical Therapist (PT). A PTA does not evaluate a patient but is directly involved in patient care. A PTA helps patients follow the plan of care prescribed by the supervising PT. PTAs are trained in most of the current therapeutic strategies in the field. PTAs can specialize over time in developing specific rehabilitation skills. PTAs are valued for their great interpersonal and hands-on skills that allow them to assist patients in reaching their functional goals.
"The PTA program at BYU-Idaho is something special. It is filled with professors who not only create a great learning environment, but also care deeply about your success as a student and as an individual. The program’s courses and clinicals are developed in a way that you can confidently sit for the NPTE and excel in your career."
BETHANY D.,
BYU-I GRADUATE
Highlighted Career Paths
Graduates with an Associates degree in Physical Therapist Assistant have a wide array of rewarding careers before them. Check out some of the top careers students get with this degree or explore more career options in I-Plan.
Rehabilitation Center
Focus on helping patients recover from a severe injury or surgery with intense therapy to allow them to care for themselves and return home safely.
Sports Training Facility
Help athletes develop exercise routines to improve strength, mobility, and range of motion following an injury.
Skilled Nursing Facility
Focus on elderly patients who cannot adequately care for themselves. PTAs assist patients in strengthening coordination and improving weaknesses.
Getting Started in this degree
If you are interested in becoming a Physical Therapist Assistant, start with one of the following major-specific courses
Related Majors
Develop an understanding of how the body reacts to physical stress and movement.
Help people improve their well-being through recreation! A degree in Therapeutic Recreation trains students to work at recreation centers, after-school programs, daycares, assisted living centers, retirement homes, and respite care centers.
The Recreation Management program provides students with life-enhancing abilities to create wholesome recreation and leisure experiences in professional, civic, religious, and home settings.
Nursing provides students with a well-respected, service-oriented profession. Students apply knowledge and compassion as they care for patients in many healthcare settings.
Professionals working in the public health field focus on preventing, promoting, and protecting populations from poor health outcomes and emerging public health threats.
Students will learn about floral marketing, the artistry of wedding and event flowers, and how to create interpretive and competitive designs.
Students develop a knowledge in a variety of careers in caring for, growing, and designing things related to plants. Students will also be able to understand the business practices in horticulture.
The Plant Science and Technology program is designed to help students prepare for careers in the plant-based agricultural sector of the economy. The program integrates the science and technology foundational to agronomic and horticultural crop production.
Learn the basics of animal science for a variety of careers that relate to the study and care of animals.
Are you looking to jumpstart your career in healthcare? The allied health associate degree prepares students to work in diagnostics, technical, therapeutic, and support services in connection with healthcare.