Physical Therapist Assistant Program

AAS in PTA

• Degree Offered: Associate in Applied Science 
• Locations: Forest Park; seeking accreditation approval for a Wildwood location to start Fall 2025
• Hours to Complete: 72-73
• Program Contact Name: Christie Cohoon, PT, DPT, OCS
• Program Contact Email: ccohoon1@stlcc.edu
• Accreditation:
  The PTA program at St. Louis Community College is accredited by the  Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) 
  3030 Potomac Ave., Suite 100 
  Alexandria, Virginia 22305-3085 
  Telephone: 703-706-3245 
  Email: accreditation@apta.org 
  Website: capteonline.org
• This program meets the educational requirements for state licensure in the following states: Missouri, Illinois and California. Students interested in pursuing licensure in a different state should contact the program coordinator for more information.
• PTA Student Handbook (PDF)

Cost of Attendance

Tuition for district residents is $122 per credit hour. Find out more about our straightforward and low-cost tuition structure.

The student can expect to incur some fees/expenses while enrolled in the PTA program and upon graduation. While enrolled these fees include, but are not limited to:

Maintenance fees for prerequisite, general education and PTA courses:

• In District - $122/credit hour
• Out of district - $171/credit hour
• Out of state - $233/credit hour

Textbooks and course materials: Students are required to purchase the required textbooks and course materials each semester. These can cost anywhere from $300-$800 per year.

Health insurance: All PTA students are required to carry personal health insurance during the second year of the program at your expense. Students are also required to have liability insurance each semester for clinicals, which is covered by the College through tuition fees.

CastleBranch compliance tracker: Students must upload PTA program paperwork. The cost is $27.50.

Family Care Safety Registry: Students much register for placement at clinical sites. The cost is approximately $15.

Criminal background check: Students are required to complete for placement at clinical sites. The cost is approximately $14, depending on the number of states you’ve lived in.

Drug screen: Students are required be screened for placement at clinical sites. The cost is approximately $35.

PTA program shirt, lab coat and uniform: PTA program shirts are strongly recommended for off-site labs, field trips, skills practical checkouts, etc. The cost is approximately $25. Some clinical sites require a lab coat, uniform or scrubs that you would be responsible for acquiring.

Clinical education expenses: Students are responsible for potential expenses related to of clinical activities, such as fuel, transportation, housing, etc.

APTA membership: Student membership in the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) is a requirement for the final semester of the program. Joining the organization entitles you to journals, communications, special conference, programs, etc. It will keep you informed of important legal, ethical and practical issues and guide you in your professional growth. The cost is $100.

For 2022, the total cost of the program was estimated at $9,288 in-district and $12,620 out of district for two years taking all courses in the curriculum.

After graduation:

Licensure examination: Examination and processing costs are approximately $600.

Licensure fees: Maintaining your license is approximately $50 every two years. 

Admission Requirements

Each year, 32 students are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. Of those 32, five slots are available for potential priority admission for students with a bachelor’s degree.

In order to facilitate the entry of students in the available spaces, a waiting list is used. A student is placed on the waiting list once program application prerequisites have been met and a program application has been submitted. Placement on the waiting list is based solely on the date of application. Students on the list will be sent a letter each fall asking their interest to pursue admission to the program. Failure to respond to this letter by the deadline will result in removal from the waiting list. Letters will be sent in the spring to those being offered admission to the program in the fall semester. All those receiving letters must attend a mandatory program orientation scheduled in late April/early May.

The PTA program is a selective admission, college-level program. Students must have successfully completed specific requirements prior to application, including:

• High school or college cumulative grade point average of 2.5
• Minimum placement test scores or successful completion of specific courses
• Successful completion of anatomy & physiology I or biology 207 within the last five years

The associate in applied science degree for physical therapist assistant is not equivalent to the first two years of a doctoral degree in physical therapy.

Credits that transfer: STLCC’s physical therapist assistant program has an articulation agreement with Maryville University for the benefit of students who wish to continue their education and earn a bachelor of arts in practice management or organizational leadership.

PTA Program Admission Requirements

In compliance with St. Louis Community College policies, the PTA program is committed to nondiscrimination with respect to race, color, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, genetic information or status as a disabled or Vietnam-era veteran.

Program Outcomes

Graduation Rates

Two-year averages for 2022-2023 = 91.4%

Two-year average for 2024 = 84.3%

 

Licensure Rates

Two-year averages for 2022-2023 = 93%
First-time pass rate averages for graduation years 2022-2023 = 69%

Two-year average for 2024 = 95.3%
Two-year average for 1^st time pass rate = 61.9%

 

Employment Rates

Two-year averages for 2022-2023 = 100%