The Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) Associate’s degree program at Rasmussen College’s Land O’ Lakes/East Pasco, Florida, campus has earned accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE).
Accreditation signifies the PTA program at the Land O’ Lakes/East Pasco campus meets or exceeds standards and criteria for educational quality in physical therapist assistant curriculum and prepares students to work successfully in the profession upon graduation.

“To honor our commitment to academic excellence, we are proud to have our Land O’ Lakes PTA Program join the Brooklyn Park/Maple Grove PTA program in successfully fulfilling CAPTE’s rigorous accreditation requirements,” says Amy Garrigues, PT, DPT, Rasmussen College executive director of physical therapy and rehabilitation services, in a media release.

“Achieving this accreditation reinforces that we are delivering on our mission and providing an innovative program and dynamic curriculum to our students.”

Labor analytics firm Burning Glass projects more than 30% employment growth for physical therapist assistants and aides by 2028 across Florida. To help meet that demand, Rasmussen College’s hands-on PTA program is designed to help students earn their degree and seek a PTA position in as few as 18 months.

“The increased need nationwide for PTAs is largely due to the changing needs of an aging population and the growing necessity to care for individuals with chronic conditions,” states Tania Tablinsky, PT, DPT, Rasmussen College Land O’ Lakes/East Pasco campus PTA program director, the release continues.

“Our PTA curriculum provides students with hands-on experience to develop their confidence and arm them with the skills employers demand. Students learn the skills needed to improve a patient’s mobility and decrease pain, as well as gain the ability to comfortably and confidently interact with professionals in a variety of clinical settings and a range of patients from the elderly to children.”

The PTA degree program is designed as a blend of online classes, on-campus courses, and on-campus labs, as well as clinical practice at a healthcare facility to ensure career readiness.

In addition, the program is offered with Flex Choice self-directed assessment offerings, which allows students to blend traditional online courses with self-directed assessments that provide optional coaching assistance. Assessments provide students with more flexibility and affordability allowing them to receive credit for what they already know.

[Source(s): Rasmussen College, Business Wire]