Program Overview

Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA)

PTA Program, Mission, Philosophy, Learning Objectives, and Outcomes

The Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) is a technically-educated, licensed health care provider who works under the supervision of a licensed physical therapist (PT). The PTA performs duties and carries out treatment plans as directed by the PT. Duties of the PTA are varied and include, but are not limited to the application of physical modalities, exercise programs, gait training, functional activities, and patient education. Physical requirements for PTAs utilize various rehabilitative techniques to help patients whose abilities have been impaired by an accident, injury, illness, disease or other health-related conditions that limit movement and functional abilities. Clients include adult and pediatric patients with orthopedic and neurologic injuries and various medical conditions. Employment settings include acute care and rehabilitation hospitals, outpatient clinics, schools, nursing homes, home health, sports medicine clinics, and even academic institutions.

Graduation from a physical therapist assistant education program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), 3030 Potomac Ave., Suite 100, Alexandria, VA, 22305; phone: 703-706-3245; accreditation@apta.org is necessary for eligibility to sit for the licensure examination, which is required in all states. 
The Physical Therapist Assistant Program at Southern Union State 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: http://www.capteonline.org.  If needing to contact the program/institution directly, please call Jeff Leatherman, DPT, MS, PT, Program Director at 334-756-4121 x 5254 or email jleatherman@suscc.edu.

Program Information:

 Applications will be accepted January through September for Spring admission. 

NEXT ADMISSION - SPRING 2025 
*Valley Campus
Application Submission Dates: January through September 

   In order to complete the online application, you will need:

  •   Your highest ACT composite score report.  Must have a minimum score of 18.  We do not accept Superscores for ranking purposes in the Health Sciences Programs.

  •  Grades from previous coursework.

  •  Course descriptions if requesting consideration of transfer credits from a college outside  Alabama.

   Verify ACT scores/transcripts have been received by viewing your student portal at mysuscc.
           
                
   To complete the online application, go to:  PTA Online Application

    Once you submit your application, you will receive an email confirmation.  Applications will        not be accepted once the application window has closed.  

    Applicants will be notified by email 4-6 weeks after the closing date of September 30. 

Jeff Leatherman, MS, PT, DPT
Director, Physical Therapist Assistant Program
Southern Union State CC-Valley Campus
321 Fob James Drive
Valley, AL 36854
Email:  jleatherman@suscc.edu
Phone:  334.756.4151 Ext 5254