Physical Therapist Assisting

The Associate in Applied Science (AAS) in the Physical Therapist Assisting program prepares students to become licensed clinicians who provide care under the direction and supervision of a licensed physical therapist. Physical therapist assistants implement components of patient care, obtain data related to the treatment provided, and collaborate with the physical therapist to modify care as necessary. As a team, physical therapists and physical therapist assistants work to help people improve movement function.

The Physical Therapist Assisting program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education. Program graduates are eligible to apply for the national physical therapy examination administered by the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy. Graduation from an accredited program and a passing score on this examination are required for licensure to practice as a physical therapist assistant in Arizona and in many other states.

This program is designed to meet education requirements for licensure in the state of Arizona. Granting licensure is the sole responsibility of the state board or approval agency.

Details

Field of Interest

Health Sciences

Degree Type

Associate in Applied Science (AAS)

Academic Plan

Physical Therapist Assisting (DEG)

Academic Plan Code

3675

Total credits required

73.5-80.5

Catalog Year

2026-2027

Effective Term

Fall 2026

Admission criteria

1. Formal application and admission to begin the core curriculum is determined by a point system. See point system description in Physical Therapist Assisting (PTA) program packet in the Health Sciences Division of college.
2. Background check requirements: Admission to an Allied Health program requires that students be in compliance with the Maricopa County Community College District background check standards. Upon conditional program enrollment, the student must comply with all requirements of the MCCCD background check policy and drug testing protocols.
3. Clinical health and safety requirements: Prior to placement in the clinical setting, the student must comply with all requirements of the MCCCD clinical health and safety policy.
4. Inability to comply with background check requirements and/or clinical health and safety requirements prior to placement in the clinical setting may result in cancellation of enrollment.
5. Forty (40) hours of volunteer/work/observation in physical therapy practice settings supervised by a licensed physical therapist or physical therapist assistant are required to apply for admission into the PTA program. A minimum of 10 hours in an inpatient (hospital, skilled nursing facility, rehabilitation hospital) setting is required.

Notes

Students must earn a grade of C or better in all courses within the program.

The following general education courses must be completed with a B or higher to apply for an available space to begin the core curriculum: (BIO160 or BIO201) and (ENG101, ENG102, ENG107, or ENG108).

Students with other related health care experiences not listed on the following program preparatory options may request an evaluation for course competency equivalence for work experience or equivalent education as evaluated by the GateWay Health Core Curriculum Coordinator. Once admitted to the program, students should plan to attend full time.

Required HCC courses may be taken prior to program admission or concurrent with required courses. HCC courses must be completed prior to clinical placement if taken concurrent with required courses.

What You'll Learn

Deliver inclusive and equitable physical therapy services with consideration for patient and client diversity.
Demonstrate safe, effective, and logical clinical decisions while conducting data collection and therapeutic interventions following the physical therapist plan of care.
Apply knowledge of diseases and conditions to support appropriate and effective patient and client management.
Practice according to the Standards of Ethical Conduct as well as legal and professional regulations governing patient care, documentation, and fiscal management.
Utilize professional written, verbal, and nonverbal communication with all patients, clients, caregivers, and colleagues.

Career Statistics

Successful completion of this degree may lead to employment in a variety of different occupations and industries. Below are examples of related occupations with associated Arizona-based wages* for this degree. Education requirements vary for the occupations listed below, so you may need further education or degrees in order to qualify for some of these jobs and earn the related salaries. Please visit with an academic advisor and/or program director for additional information. You can click on any occupation to view the detail regarding education level, wages, and employment information.

Physical Therapist Assistants

$53,680

* Career and wage information provided by Pipeline AZ using data, reports, and forecasts which are generated using government data sources. Sources

Course Sequence by Term

The following is the suggested course sequence by term. Please keep in mind:

Students should meet with an academic advisor to develop an individual education plan that meets their academic and career goals. Use the Degree Progress Report Tool in your Student Center to manage your plan.
The course sequence is laid out by suggested term and may be affected when students enter the program at different times of the year.
Initial course placement is determined by current district placement measures and/or completion of 100-200 level course and/or program requirements.
Degree and transfer seeking students may be required to successfully complete a MCCCD First Year Experience Course (FYE) within the first two semesters at a MCCCD College. Courses include FYE101 and FYE103. Course offerings will vary by college. See an academic, program, or faculty advisor for details.
Consult with your faculty mentor or academic advisor to determine educational requirements, including possible university transfer options, for your chosen career field.

Pathway Map Options

There are multiple options available for this pathway map. These options vary depending on the locations, partners, and available tracks of the award.

These pathway map options may share some common coursework. To explore what additional coursework may be required, select your desired option from the list below. Once selected, the list of courses and any associated details will be automatically updated in the course sequence below. The differences between individual pathway map options may only be a few courses.

Note: You will have to select one of the options below to view available course sequences.

Physical Therapist Assisting
Physical Therapist Assisting - Day Pathway Sequence
Physical Therapist Assisting - Hybrid Pathway Sequence

Full-time

Full-time Sequence

To view course sequences, select one of the pathway map options above.

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 1Term 1
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Area	Credits
BIO160 or BIO201	Introduction to Human Anatomy and Physiology or Human Anatomy and Physiology I	No requisites or Prerequisites: C or better in (BIO156, or BIO156XT, or BIO181, or BIO181XT, or 1 yr of high school biology) and (RDG100, or RDG100LL, or higher, or eligibility for CRE101). CHM130 or higher or one year of high school chemistry suggested but not required.		SQ or SG	4
COM	Any approved general education course from the Oral Communication area				3
ENG101 or ENG107	First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL	Prerequisites: Writing placement or (C/ better in ESL097 or WAC101) or (B/better in ALT100) or (C in ALT100 & Corequisites: ENG101LL or ENG107LL or WAC101 or ENG100A+) or (C/better in ESL202 & Corequisites: ENG101LL or ENG107LL or WAC101 or ENG100A+). or Prerequisites: Writing test score or (C/better in ESL097 or WAC101),or (B/better in ALT100) or (C in ALT100 & Corequisites: ENG101LL or ENG107LL or WAC101 or ENG100A+) or (C/better in ESL202 and Corequisites: ENG101LL or ENG107LL or WAC101 or ENG100A+).		FYC or FYC	3
MA	Mathematics		Any approved general education course in the Mathematical Applications [MA] area 3-6. MAT14+ recommended for students who are interested in transferring to university.	MA	3–6
BIO160 or BIO201	Introduction to Human Anatomy and Physiology or Human Anatomy and Physiology I	No requisites or Prerequisites: C or better in (BIO156, or BIO156XT, or BIO181, or BIO181XT, or 1 yr of high school biology) and (RDG100, or RDG100LL, or higher, or eligibility for CRE101). CHM130 or higher or one year of high school chemistry suggested but not required.		SQ or SG	4
COM	Any approved general education course from the Oral Communication area				3
ENG101 or ENG107	First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL	Prerequisites: Writing placement or (C/ better in ESL097 or WAC101) or (B/better in ALT100) or (C in ALT100 & Corequisites: ENG101LL or ENG107LL or WAC101 or ENG100A+) or (C/better in ESL202 & Corequisites: ENG101LL or ENG107LL or WAC101 or ENG100A+). or Prerequisites: Writing test score or (C/better in ESL097 or WAC101),or (B/better in ALT100) or (C in ALT100 & Corequisites: ENG101LL or ENG107LL or WAC101 or ENG100A+) or (C/better in ESL202 and Corequisites: ENG101LL or ENG107LL or WAC101 or ENG100A+).		FYC or FYC	3
MA	Mathematics		Any approved general education course in the Mathematical Applications [MA] area 3-6. MAT14+ recommended for students who are interested in transferring to university.	MA	3–6

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 2 (August-December)
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Area	Credits
ENG102 or ENG108	First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL	Prerequisites: Grade of C or better in ENG101. or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in ENG107.		FYC or FYC	3
HCC145 or HCC146	Medical Terminology for Health Care Professionals or Common Medical Terminology for Health Care Professionals				2–3
PTA101	Survey of Physical Therapy	Prerequisites: Admission to the Physical Therapist Assisting program or permission of the Program Director.	Critical course Gateway course		1
PTA103	Kinesiology	Prerequisites: Admission to the Physical Therapist Assisting program or permission of the Program Director.			3
PTA104	Musculo-Skeletal Assessment Techniques	Prerequisites: Admission to the Physical Therapist Assisting program or permission of the Program Director.			1
PTA203	Clinical Pathology	Prerequisites: Admission to the Physical Therapist Assisting program or permission of the Program Director.			3
PTA205	Communication in Physical Therapy	Prerequisites: Admission to the Physical Therapist Assisting program or permission of Department or Division.			1

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 2 (May-August)
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Credits
HCC145 or HCC146	Medical Terminology for Health Care Professionals or Intermediate Medical Terminology			2–3
PTA101	Survey of Physical Therapy	Prerequisites: Admission to the Physical Therapist Assisting program or permission of the Program Director.	Critical course Gateway course	1
PTA103	Kinesiology	Prerequisites: Admission to the Physical Therapist Assisting program or permission of the Program Director.		3
PTA104	Musculo-Skeletal Assessment Techniques	Prerequisites: Admission to the Physical Therapist Assisting program or permission of the Program Director.		1
PTA203	Clinical Pathology	Prerequisites: Admission to the Physical Therapist Assisting program or permission of the Program Director.		3

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 3 (August-December)
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Area	Credits
ENG102 or ENG108	First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL	Prerequisites: Grade of C or better in ENG101. or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in ENG107.	FYC or FYC	3
PSY101	Introduction to Psychology		SB	3
PTA200	Patient Mobility Techniques	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in (PTA101, PTA103, PTA104, and PTA203) or permission of the Program Director.		4
PTA204	Preclinical Practicum I	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in (PTA101, PTA103, PTA104, and PTA203) or permission of the Program Director. Corequisites: PTA209.		0.5
PTA205	Communication in Physical Therapy	Prerequisites: Admission to the Physical Therapist Assisting program or permission of Department or Division.		1
PTA209	Orthopedics for the Physical Therapist Assistant	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in (PTA101, PTA103, and PTA104) or permission of the Program Director.		5
PTA217	Clinical Neurology	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in (PTA101, PTA103, PTA104, and PTA203) or permission of the Program Director.		2

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 3 (January-May)
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Area	Credits
CRE101	College Critical Reading and Critical Thinking	Prerequisites: (A grade of C or better in ENG101 or ENG107) and (appropriate reading placement test score or a grade of C or better in RDG095 or RDG100 or RDG111 or RDG112 or RDG113 or permission of Instructor).	OR Equivalent as indicated by assessment 0-3	L	0–3
PTA200	Patient Mobility Techniques	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in (PTA101, PTA103, PTA104, and PTA203) or permission of the Program Director.			4
PTA204	Preclinical Practicum I	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in (PTA101, PTA103, and PTA104), or permission of the Program Director. Corequisites: PTA 210.			0.5
PTA209	Orthopedics for the Physical Therapist Assistant	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in (PTA101, PTA103, and PTA104) or permission of the Program Director.			5
PTA217	Clinical Neurology	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in (PTA101, PTA103, PTA104, and PTA203) or permission of the Program Director.			2

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 4 (May-August)
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Area	Credits
HU	Humanities, Fine Arts, and Design			3
PSY101	Introduction to Psychology		SB	3
PTA206	Clinical Practicum I	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in (PTA200, PTA204, PTA209, and PTA217) or permission of the Program Director. Corequisites: PTA207.		3
PTA207	Clinical Practicum Seminar I	Prerequisites: Admission to the Physical Therapist Assisting program or permission of the Program Director. Corequisites: PTA206.		1

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 4 (January-May)
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Area	Credits
CRE101	College Critical Reading and Critical Thinking	Prerequisites: (A grade of C or better in ENG101 or ENG107) and (appropriate reading placement test score or a grade of C or better in RDG095 or RDG100 or RDG111 or RDG112 or RDG113 or permission of Instructor).	OR Equivalent as indicated by assessment 0-3	L	0–3
PTA206	Clinical Practicum I	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in (PTA200, PTA204, PTA209, and PTA217) or permission of the Program Director. Corequisites: PTA207.			3
PTA207	Clinical Practicum Seminar I	Prerequisites: Admission to the Physical Therapist Assisting program or permission of the Program Director. Corequisites: PTA206.			1
PTA208	Rehabilitation of Special Populations	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in (PTA200, PTA204, PTA209, and PTA217), or permission of the Program Director.			5
PTA215	Wound Care for the Physical Therapist Assistant	Prerequisites: Admission to the Physical Therapist Assisting program or permission of Department or Division.			1
PTA216	Biophysical Agents in Physical Therapy	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in (PTA103, PTA104, PTA200, and PTA210) or permission of the Program Director.			5
PTA279	Preclinical Practicum II	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in (PTA200, PTA204, PTA209, and PTA217) or permission of the Program Director.			0.5

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 5 (August-December)
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Credits
PTA208	Rehabilitation of Special Populations	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in (PTA200, PTA204, PTA209, and PTA217), or permission of the Program Director.	5
PTA215	Wound Care for the Physical Therapist Assistant	Prerequisites: Admission to the Physical Therapist Assisting program or permission of Department or Division.	1
PTA216	Biophysical Agents in Physical Therapy	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in (PTA103, PTA104, PTA200, and PTA210) or permission of the Program Director.	5
PTA279	Preclinical Practicum II		0.5

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 5 (May-August)
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Credits
HU	Humanities, Fine Arts, and Design		3
PTA230	Physical Therapy Seminar	Prerequisites: Admission to the Physical Therapist Assisting program or permission of the Program Director.	2
PTA280	Clinical Practicum II	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in (PTA206, PTA208, PTA216, and PTA279) or permission of Program Director. Corequisites: PTA281.	3
PTA281	Clinical Practicum Seminar II	Prerequisites: Admission to the Physical Therapist Assisting program, or permission of Department or Division. Corequisites: PTA280.	1
PTA290	Clinical Practicum III	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in (PTA280 and PTA281) or permission of Department or Division. Corequisites: PTA292.	3
PTA292	Clinical Practicum Seminar III	Prerequisites: Admission to the Physical Therapist Assisting program or permission of the Department or Division. Corequisites: PTA290.	1
PTA295	Physical Therapist Assistant Examination Review	Prerequisites: Admission to the Physical Therapist Assisting program or permission of the Program Director.	2

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 6 (January-May)
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Credits
PTA230	Physical Therapy Seminar	Prerequisites: Admission to the Physical Therapist Assisting program or permission of the Program Director.	2
PTA280	Clinical Practicum II	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in (PTA206, PTA208, PTA216, and PTA279) or permission of Program Director. Corequisites: PTA281.	3
PTA281	Clinical Practicum Seminar II	Prerequisites: Admission to the Physical Therapist Assisting program, or permission of Department or Division. Corequisites: PTA280.	1
PTA290	Clinical Practicum III	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in (PTA280 and PTA281) or permission of Department or Division. Corequisites: PTA292.	3
PTA292	Clinical Practicum Seminar III	Prerequisites: Admission to the Physical Therapist Assisting program or permission of the Department or Division. Corequisites: PTA290.	1
PTA295	Physical Therapist Assistant Examination Review	Prerequisites: Admission to the Physical Therapist Assisting program or permission of the Program Director.	2

Course Area Key

Gateway Course = Generally the first major-specific course in a pathway.

Critical Course = A course that is highly predictive of future success in a pathway.

FYC = First Year Composition
L = Literacy & Critical Inquiry
MA = Mathematics
SB = Social-Behavioral Sciences
SG = Natural Sciences General
SQ = Natural Sciences Quantitative

Disclaimer

Students must earn a grade of C or better for all courses required within the program.

Course Sequence total credits may differ from the program information located on the MCCCD curriculum website due to program and system design.

View MCCCD’s official curriculum documentation for additional details regarding the requirements of this award (https://aztransmac2.asu.edu/cgi-bin/WebObjects/MCCCD.woa/wa/freeForm13?id=16454733).

At Maricopa, we strive to provide you with accurate and current information about our degree and certificate offerings. Due to the dynamic nature of the curriculum process, course and program information is subject to change. As a result, the course list associated with this degree or certificate on this site does not represent a contract, nor does it guarantee course availability. If you are interested in pursuing this degree or certificate, we encourage you to meet with an advisor to discuss the requirements at your college for the appropriate catalog year.

Previous Catalog Years

The pathway map presented above is for the current catalog year and is the intended pathway map for new students. All previous catalog years for this pathway map are available at the link below.

Previous catalog years for Associate in Applied Science (AAS) in Physical Therapist Assisting