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Physical Therapist Assistants

Physical Therapist Assistant

Are  You Looking For an Exciting Career in Healthcare?

Do You Like to Help People?

If so, then the Physical Therapist Assistant program at Gulf Coast State College may be for you!

The Physical Therapist Assistant program at Gulf Coast State College is exciting, challenging and action-packed!

To be successful in this Major/Career, you should:

  • Be comfortable with performing physical activity

  • Have a strong background in science

  • Be able to communicate well with a variety of people

  • Have an interest in disease prevention and wellness

PTA Program Outcomes

Graduates of the PTA program at Gulf Coast State College earn a two-year Associate in Science Degree and may apply for licensure as a Physical Therapist Assistant by examination in the state of Florida.

The physical therapist assistant (PTA) is a skilled technical health care worker who delivers physical therapy services under the direction and supervision of the physical therapist (PT).  These services may include instructing patients in therapeutic exercises for strengthening, flexibility, balance/coordination, mobility, function; applying physical agents such as heat, cold, electricity, and traction; communicating with the PT as the patient’s medical condition changes; monitoring/documenting/reporting patient response to treatment.

PTAs are employed in a variety of settings including hospitals, rehabilitation centers, nursing homes, home health agencies, schools, and outpatient physical therapy clinics. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the mean annual wage for physical therapist assistants working in the United States was estimated to be between $37,000 - $80,000, with the mean at $60,000.  In our geographical area, new graduates typically start at the lower end of this range.

The PTA Program’s average two-year employment rate is over 90% for graduates licensed within a year of graduation. Statistics on the program’s graduation rate, licensure exam pass rate, and employment rate can be found below.

*The CAPTE graduation rate does not include admitted students that did not complete the program due to military, health, or issues not related to academic or clinical deficits.

This is the percentage of graduates by year for the PTA program at Gulf Coast State College.

Cohort # Admitted # Graduated *CAPTE Graduation Rate
2021 20 15 78.9% (15/19)
2022 16 12 85.7% (12/14)
2023 16 12 80% (12/15)
Two-Year Rate:
2021-2022 36 27 81.8% (27/33)
2022-2023 32 24 82.7% (24/29)

This is the percentage of graduates that passed the National Physical Therapist Assistant Exam (NPTE) following graduation from the PTA program at Gulf Coast State College.  This test is required as a part of licensure as a PTA in the state of Florida.  First attempt indicates the first time the exam was attempted by the class.  The ultimate pass rate includes all exam attempts by the class.  This information is consistent with the information published by the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy.

Cohort 1st Attempt Pass Rate Ultimate Pass Rate
2020 94.1% (16/17) 100%  (17/17)
2021 93.0% (14/15)  100%  (15/15)
2022 83.3 % (10/12) 91.6% (11/12)
Two-Year Rate:
2020-2021 93.75% (30/32) 100% (32/32)
2021-2022 88.88% (24/27) 96.2% (26/27)

This is the percentage of graduates who sought employment and were employed as a PTA  within one year of graduation from the Gulf Coast State College PTA program.

Cohort Employment Rate
2020 86% (13/15)
2021  100%  (14/14)
2022                100%  (11/11)                 
Two-year rate:  
2020 - 2021             93.1% (27/29)               
2021 - 2022     100%  (25/25)        
CAPTE Logo

The Physical Therapist Assistant Program at Gulf Coast State College is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy (CAPTE), 3030 Potomac Ave., Suite 100,  Alexandria, VA 22305; telephone (703) 706-3245, email:  accreditation@apta.org; website:  CAPTE Online. If needing to contact the program/institution directly, please call (850) 913-3312, or email mcumbaa@gulfcoast.edu.

Gulf Coast State College does not discriminate against any person in its programs, activities, policies or procedures on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, national origin, marital status, religion, age, gender, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, disability, or veteran status. All questions or inquiries regarding compliance with laws relating to non-discrimination and all complaints regarding sexual misconduct or discrimination, may be directed to Lee Wood, Executive Director, Human Resources/Title II/504/Title IX Coordinator and Employment Equity Officer, Gulf Coast State College, 5230 W. US Highway 98, Panama City, FL 32401.