Physical Therapist Assistant Program

Northwest Arkansas Community College

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PHYSICAL THERAPIST ASSISTANT PROGRAM

Welcome to the Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) Program at NorthWest Arkansas Community College. We hope that the following information will be useful to you. If you have further questions or would like more detailed information please contact:

PTA Program Director
One College Drive
Bentonville, AR 72712
479-619-4253

rcrider@nwacc.edu

For complaints regarding the PTA Program that fall outside of NWACC due process, please contact the PTA Program Director at 479-619-4253 or the Dean of Health Professions at 479-619-4259.

This page was last updated on 5-10-07

Physical Therapist Assistant Program
Northwest Arkansas Community College
One College Drive
Bentonville, AR  72712

479-619-4253

PTA PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The Northwest Arkansas Community College (NWACC) Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) Program is designed to prepare students to perform as entry-level PTAs.  Under the supervision of a physical therapist, entry level PTAs provide rehabilitative care with simple or complex patients to optimize an individual's level of function after an injury or illness.  The student is prepared to work as an entry-level PTA in a variety of clinical environments including outpatient facilities, hospitals, rehabilitation centers, schools and home health.  The PTA Program includes two semesters of prerequisite course work followed by admission to the PTA Program for three semesters of technical and clinical physical therapy courses.  Successful completion of the PTA Program leads to an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) Degree making the student eligible to sit for the National Physical Therapist Assistant Examination (NPTAE).  The student must pass the NPTAE to receive a license to practice in the state of Arkansas.  Those students wishing to practice in other states should contact the state regulating board of physical therapy for that state to obtain their requirements..

Historically, NWACC graduates have done well on the NPTAE.  Pass rates for NWACC graduates taking the NPTAE are as follows:

Class   First-Time Pass Rate 1 Subsequent Pass Rate
2005 - 2006 100 %  
2004 - 2005 100 %  
2003 - 2004 100 %   
2002 - 2003 100 %  
2001 -2002 100 % 
2000 - 2001 100 %  
1999 - 2000 100 % 
1998 - 1999 81 %  100 %
1997 - 1998 94 % 100 %
1996 - 1997 93 % 100 %
1995 - 1996 88 % 100 %
1994 - 1995 100 %  
1993 - 1994 100 %  
1992 - 1993 100 %  

1 This compares with national average of ~ 75 % for other accredited schools

The class size is limited to 12 -14 students.

Matriculation Information for the PTA Program is as follows:

Class # of Qualified Applicants # of Positions Offered # Enrolled Mean GPA
2006 - 2007 27 15 14 3.35
2005 - 2006 15 15 11 3.12
2004 - 2005 10 10 9 3.30
2003 - 2004 12 12 10 3.04
2002 - 2003 11 11 10 3.01
2001 - 2002 5 5 5 2.99
2000 - 2001 9 9 7 3.21
1999 - 2000 15 12 11 3.39
1998 - 1999 17 14 13 3.48