The Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) program at Utah Valley University, offered through the College of Health and Public Service, is seeking accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) and is anticipating its first cohort in Fall 2026.
This program is designed to prepare students for rewarding careers in the healthcare industry. It combines rigorous academic coursework with hands-on clinical experience, ensuring that graduates are well-equipped to excel in various healthcare settings.
A Physical Therapist Assistant plays a crucial role in the rehabilitation process, working under the direction and supervision of a licensed physical therapist. PTAs help patients regain movement and manage pain after injuries, surgeries, or chronic conditions. They assist in implementing treatment plans, assessing patient performance, conducting therapeutic exercises, and utilizing specialized equipment to enhance patient outcomes.
The program at Utah Valley University emphasizes both theoretical knowledge and practical skills. Students will study essential subjects such as human anatomy, kinesiology, therapeutic interventions, and orthopedic care. In addition, the program incorporates significant clinical practice, allowing students to apply their learning in real-world settings such as hospitals, outpatient clinics, and rehabilitation centers.
Graduates of the program will be prepared to take the National Physical Therapy Exam (NPTE) for PTAs, which is a key step towards licensure and practice in the field. The demand for skilled PTAs is strong, offering diverse employment opportunities across the healthcare spectrum, including hospitals, private practices, schools, and home health agencies.
By choosing Utah Valley University’s PTA program, students will gain the knowledge, skills, and professional experience needed to make a positive impact on the lives of their patients, contributing to the overall health and wellness of the community.
The program’s commitment to excellence, coupled with the support of experienced faculty and access to cutting-edge facilities, make it an ideal choice for those passionate about pursuing a career in physical therapy.
Graduation from a physical therapist assistant education program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education, 3030 Potomac Ave., Suite 100, Alexandria, Virginia 22305-3085; phone; 703-706-3245; [email protected] is necessary for eligibility to sit for the licensure examination, which is required in all states. Candidacy is considered to be an accredited status, as such the credits and degree earned from a program with Candidacy status are considered, by CAPTE, to be from an accredited program. Therefore, students in the charter (first) class should be eligible to take the licensure exam even if CAPTE withholds accreditation at the end of the candidacy period. That said, it is up to each state licensing agency, not CAPTE, to determine who is eligible for licensure. Information on licensing requirements should be directed to the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT; www.fsbpt.org) or specific state boards (a list of state boards and contact information is available on FSBPT's website.
Utah Valley University is seeking accreditation of a new physical therapist assistant education program from CAPTE. The program is planning to submit an Application for Candidacy, which is the formal application required in the pre-accreditation stage, on November 1, 2025. Submission of this document does not assure that the program will be granted Candidate for Accreditation status. Achievement of Candidate for Accreditation status is required prior to implementation of the technical phase of the program; therefore, no students may be enrolled in technical courses until Candidate for Accreditation status has been achieved. Further, though achievement of Candidate for Accreditation status signifies satisfactory progress toward accreditation, it does not assure that the program will be granted accreditation.
It is also strongly recommended to take the following courses: ZOOL 2420/2425, BIOL 1610/1615
Upon Conditional Acceptance:
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