Physical Therapist Assistant, A.A.S.

Degree: Associate of Applied Science
Major: Physical Therapist Assistant

For more information, contact the Health Sciences division at 615-230-3330.

Physical therapist assistant (PTA) programs in Tennessee’s state community college system are accredited two-year associate degree programs that prepare graduates to perform selected components of patient treatment and assessment under the direction and supervision of the physical therapist in an ethical, legal, safe, and effective manner. These PTA programs combine general education courses, physical therapy lecture, and laboratory courses, and clinical education to produce competent, caring, quality-oriented physical therapist assistants who are prepared for taking the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) and for entering the field of physical therapy with the required knowledge, skills, and behaviors of an entry-level PTA. The Vol State program meets the guidelines for accredited curricula and is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education, 3030 Potomac Avenue, Alexandria, VA 22305. Telephone: 703-706-3245

Admission to the program is limited. Applicants must complete all 17 hours general education courses required for the Associate of Applied Science Degree in the Physical Therapist Assistant curriculum and maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA in these courses.  A grade of C or higher is required for transfer of credits into the program.  A grade of B or higher is required in the Math and Sciences to be considered for the program.  Students must also complete AHC 101*, AHC 115*, AHC 1100*, and MATH 1130 or MATH 1710. Once students are admitted into the second year of the PTA program, three semesters of continuous full-time intensive study are required for completion. The program begins with the Summer Session. The Summer Semester generally begins in May.  For more information, refer to the Health Sciences Associate of Applied Science Degrees  section in the catalog.

Please go to www.volstate.edu/PTA for information regarding application deadlines.

All students graduating with a degree from VSCC are required to take the E-Proficiency Profile (EPP) to meet graduation requirements. More information can be found at https://www.volstate.edu/graduation/exit-exams.

Program​ Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this program, the graduate will have developed the skills, knowledge and abilities to accomplish the following:

  1. Support the diverse physical therapy healthcare needs of Tennessee communities through employment as physical therapist assistants working under the supervision of physical therapists.

  2. Demonstrate entry-level competence as physical therapist assistants as evidenced by successful completion of the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) and qualification for state licensure.   

  3. Identify career development and lifelong learning opportunities as physical therapist assistants in contemporary physical therapy practice.  

CIP Code: (31) 51.0806.00    SOC Code: 31.2021

General Education Requirements - Credits (17)


  • ENGL 1010 - ^English Composition I Credits: (3)
  • Humanities and/or Fine Arts  (PHIL 1040  Preferred) Credits: (3)
  • BIOL 2010 - ^Human Anatomy and Physiology I Credits: (4)
  • BIOL 2020 - ^Human Anatomy and Physiology II Credits: (4)
  • PSYC 1030 - ^Introduction to Psychology Credits: (3)

Major Core Course Requirements - Credits (52)


  • AHC 101 - *Career Exploration in Physical Therapy Credits: (1)
  • AHC 115 - *Medical Terminology Credits: (3)
  • AHC 1100 - *Physical Science for the PTA Credits: (3)
  • MATH 1130 - ^College Algebra Credits: (3)
  • OR MATH 1710 - ^Precalculus Algebra  Credits: (3)

  • PTAT 2100 - *Introduction to Physical Therapy Credits: (1)
  • PTAT 2210 - *Kinesiology for the PTA I Credits: (2)
  • PTAT 2220 - *Kinesiology for the PTA II Credits: (2)
  • PTAT 2280 - *Seminar for the PTA Credits: (2)
  • PTAT 2440 - *Biophysical Agents for the PTA Credits: (4)
  • PTAT 2460 - *Patient Care Skills for the PTA Credits: (4)
  • PTAT 2492 - *Integrated Clinical Education Credits: (4)
  • PTAT 2493 - *Terminal Clinical Education I Credits: (4)
  • PTAT 2494 - *Terminal Clinical Education II Credits: (4)
  • PTAT 2510 - *Musculoskeletal Conditions and Treatment for the PTA Credits: (5)
  • PTAT 2520 - *Neuromuscular Conditions and Treatment for the PTA Credits: (5)
  • PTAT 2530 - *Medical Surgical Conditions and Treatment for the PTA Credits: (5)

Total Degree Requirements - Credits (69)


Recommended Schedule


This is a recommended schedule. Learning Support, pre-requisites and other academic factors may impact this schedule.  See your advisor to create a degree plan.

DegreeWorks, along with the correct catalog, should be utilized by students for all of their educational planning.  Students can monitor their progress toward a degree or certificate and view missing requirements with the DegreeWorks audit, which is accessible through My Volstate.

First Year - Fall Semester - Credits (13)


  • AHC 115 - *Medical Terminology Credits: (3)
  • BIOL 2010 - ^Human Anatomy and Physiology I Credits: (4)
  • MATH 1130 - ^College Algebra Credits: (3)
  • OR MATH 1710 - ^Precalculus Algebra  Credits: (3)

  • PSYC 1030 - ^Introduction to Psychology Credits: (3)

First Year - Spring Semester - Credits (14)


  • AHC 101 - *Career Exploration in Physical Therapy Credits: (1)
  • AHC 1100 - *Physical Science for the PTA Credits: (3)
  • BIOL 2020 - ^Human Anatomy and Physiology II Credits: (4)
  • ENGL 1010 - ^English Composition I Credits: (3)
  • Humanities and/or Fine Arts  (
    PHIL 1040
      Recommended) Credits: (3)

First Year - Summer Semester (12)


  • PTAT 2100 - *Introduction to Physical Therapy Credits: (1)
  • PTAT 2210 - *Kinesiology for the PTA I Credits: (2)
  • PTAT 2460 - *Patient Care Skills for the PTA Credits: (4)
  • PTAT 2530 - *Medical Surgical Conditions and Treatment for the PTA Credits: (5)

Second Year - Fall Semester - Credits (15)


  • PTAT 2220 - *Kinesiology for the PTA II Credits: (2)
  • PTAT 2440 - *Biophysical Agents for the PTA Credits: (4)
  • PTAT 2492 - *Integrated Clinical Education Credits: (4)
  • PTAT 2510 - *Musculoskeletal Conditions and Treatment for the PTA Credits: (5)

Second Year - Spring Semester - Credits (15)


  • PTAT 2280 - *Seminar for the PTA Credits: (2)
  • PTAT 2493 - *Terminal Clinical Education I Credits: (4)
  • PTAT 2494 - *Terminal Clinical Education II Credits: (4)
  • PTAT 2520 - *Neuromuscular Conditions and Treatment for the PTA Credits: (5)