HOW DO I APPLY FOR THE PROGRAM?
The Physical Therapist Assistant program is a selective admissions program. Students admitted into the program must have completed BIO137 , Anatomy and Physiology I, with a "C" or higher prior to entering the program. A printable application to West Kentucky Community & Technical College is available at http://www.westkentucky.kctcs.edu/aboutus/onlappl.shtml.  Students apply for the program by attending a pre-admissions conference.  For further information, please to PTA Program Admissions Requirements.

WHO ARE PHYSICAL THERAPIST ASSISTANTS?
PTA's are skilled health care providers who work under the supervision of the physical therapist delivering physical therapy interventions and providing care to patients. They implement treatment programs according to the plan of the physical therapist, train patients through exercises and activities of daily living, administer therapeutic modalities, use specialized equipment and provide other treatment procedures and interventions at the direction of the physical therapist.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A PHYSICAL THERAPIST AND A PHYSICAL THERAPIST ASSISTANT?
The physical therapist is a graduate of a University program of study. Currently physical therapists must earn a Masters or Doctorate degree.  Physical therapists are responsible for the initial evaluation of the patient and direct the care of the patient. The physical therapist assistant must earn an Associate (2 year) degree. Physical therapist assistants work under the supervision and direction of a physical therapist to deliver patient care.

IS THE PHYSICAL THERAPIST ASSISTANT PROGRAM A STEPPING STONE TO A PHYSICAL THERAPY PROGRAM?
The physical therapist assistant program is a technical program and does not require the higher level courses needed to enter a masters or doctorate physical therapy program. If the student decides to pursue a higher degree at a later date, programs are available that offer experienced physical therapist assistants the opportunity to continue working while completing courses leading to a Masters degree in physical therapy.

WHERE DO PHYSICAL THERAPIST ASSISTANTS WORK?
Physical therapist assistants work in hospitals, outpatient clinics, rehabilitation centers, industry, nursing homes, home health agencies, sports facilities, schools, pediatric centers, and colleges and universities.

WHAT DO PHYSICAL THERAPIST ASSISTANTS EARN?
According to the American Physical Therapy Association website, www.apta.org, the median income for physical therapist assistants is $30,000.