Best Physical Therapy Assistant Schools: Top Colleges

Physical therapist assistant careers are built on an associates' degree. The program typically includes both academic coursework and hands-on clinical experience. Academic coursework includes algebra, English, anatomy and physiology, and psychology. Clinical work includes certifications in CPR and other first aid, and field experience in treatment centers. Most states require licensure or registration, so a degree is a necessary asset.

There are a number of good online schools that also operate campuses and provide physical therapist assistant training. Keiser University and some of Baker University's campuses in Michigan offer physical therapist assistant degrees. Brown Mackie College offers an accredited physical therapist assistant program at its South Bend, Indiana campus.

Herzing University offers this associates' degree at their Atlanta campus. In Virginia the Medical Careers Institute is an excellent medical technician school that includes the physical therapy assistant degree. In Rhode Island the New England Institute of Technology offers this program and several other medical training options. South University has an accredited associates' degree in physical therapy assisting in Virginia, Alabama, Georgia and Florida.

Bay State College in Massachusetts and Hesser College in New Hampshire are both highly regarded community colleges and both accredited by the American Physical Therapy Association, a programmatic accrediting institution recognized by both the Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).

Other highly regarded community colleges that have excellent medical training programs which include physical therapy include Ivy Tech in Indiana, Sacramento Community College in California.