Physical Therapist Assistant Program Information
Thank you for your interest in the PTA program at Murray State College. If you would like to be contacted by the program director, you may email him or complete the form at that bottom of this page.
Click here for Frequently Asked Questions about the Program (printable version)
The Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) Program at Murray State College prepared students to successfully enter the Physical Therapy Profession as a dynamic member of the Physical Therapy Team. Student complete the program and earn an Associate in Applied Science Degree (AAS).
The PTA program was initially accredited in April of 1997 and has graduated a class each year.
Program Outcomes are linked to the PTA Home Page
Program Mission . . . To prepare graduates that can successfully enter the physical therapy profession; give client-centered physical therapy services as effective and valued team members who understand the role of the PT and the PTA in the provision of high-quality physical therapy services; and to be life-long learners with behaviors that support the core values of the profession.
Program Goals - The PTA program prepares graduates to work within the Plan of Care and under the supervision of the physical therapist and:
The PTA program was initially accredited in April of 1997 and has graduated a class each year.
- The program has a total of 367 graduates through August 2023.
- Information regarding this program and all accredited programs may be found at www.capteonline.org.
- The program can be completed in five semesters and is offered in a full-time day format.
- Murray State College is a public institution.
Program Outcomes are linked to the PTA Home Page
Program Mission . . . To prepare graduates that can successfully enter the physical therapy profession; give client-centered physical therapy services as effective and valued team members who understand the role of the PT and the PTA in the provision of high-quality physical therapy services; and to be life-long learners with behaviors that support the core values of the profession.
Program Goals - The PTA program prepares graduates to work within the Plan of Care and under the supervision of the physical therapist and:
- Communicate effectively in providing and documenting client care.
- Perform physical therapy measurement/assessment skills required of the entry level PTA.
- Provide comprehensive physical therapy services to clients from across the life span in a safe and effective way.
- Function as a accountable member of the physical therapy profession within the ethical and legal framework of the profession of physical therapy, accepting responsibility for high standards of physical therapy care including a commitment to on-going development and life-long learning.
- prepares students to become dynamic team members working with the direction and supervision of the physical therapist (PT).
- is organized so that students complete all required prerequisite course work prior entering the second year (also called technical year) of the program.
- requires that students must apply to and be accepted into the second year of the program. The application procedures are updated annually and when changes are made, the procedures for any given year are finalized by August 1st of the year in which the student is applying.
- typically accepts a class of eighteen (18) students that are from various backgrounds and represent both traditional and non-traditional students.
- provide a rigorous program of learning that involves student participation in active team learning throughout the program.
- believe that students are not all the same and require diverse learning opportunities to be successful.
- learn and perform skills in the academic environment before being assigned to a clinical site where they work under the supervision of clinical educators who support the program and allow students to experience working with patients.
- participate in clinical experiences that are organized to meet the needs of the individual student and are supervised by approved qualified clinical instructors. These clinical experiences are coordinated by faculty and provided by clinical instructors who agree to supervise the student at assigned and approved clinical sites, including hospitals and clinic settings in many areas.
- are prepared to take the NPTE for the PTA. This is a nationally developed; state-approved test that must be successfully passed as part of the application process to become licensed as a PTA in the state in which they seek to be licensed.
- enter the profession of physical therapy and give client-centered physical therapy service under the direction and supervision of a qualified physical therapist.
- function as team members demonstrating effective teamwork between the PT, PTA, and the person receiving services and their family.
Program Contact Information:
Gary Robinson, MS, PT, PCS PTA Program Director grobinson@mscok.edu
Information on PTA program web pages is subject to change.
Gary Robinson, MS, PT, PCS PTA Program Director grobinson@mscok.edu
Information on PTA program web pages is subject to change.