Registration for NSCC’s PTA Part-Time Option program is CLOSED for Fall 2025. All information sessions for Fall 2025 admissions have concluded.
Program Overview
The PTA Part‑Time Option is a flexible six‑semester pathway ideal for working adults balancing career and life responsibilities. Designed for weekday attendance only, classes are offered during the day, allowing students to maintain employment or other commitments while progressing toward an Associate in Science in Physical Therapist Assistant. The curriculum mirrors the full‑time track, featuring classroom, lab work, and clinical rotations. The program spreads over three academic years, preparing graduates for entry‑level roles under licensed physical therapists in diverse healthcare settings.
Program Highlights
- Accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE).
- Comprehensive curriculum with a strong emphasis on hands-on clinical experience.
- Focus on developing skills in therapeutic interventions, patient assessments, and patient-centered approach.
- Graduates obtain licensure as an entry level Physical Therapist Assistant.
- Opportunities for specialized internships and clinical placements at local healthcare facilities.
Program Details
Expand AllCollapse AllReview the Physical Therapist Assistant Program Policies.
Download the Physical Therapist Assistant Student Handbook >
View and print the required courses for the Physical Therapist Assistant program.
66 Credits
Year 1: Fall
- PTA 103 Therapeutic Massage – 1 credit
- PTA 108 Kinesiology Lab – 1 credit
- PTA 109 Kinesiology – 1 credit
- CMP 101 Composition 1 – 3 credits
- BIO 211 Anatomy & Physiology 1 – 4 credits
- PTA 115 Introduction to PT – 3 credits
Year 1: Spring
- BIO 212 Anatomy & Physiology 2 – 4 credits
- PTA 203 Neurology for the PTA – 2 credits
- PTA 204 Clinical Anatomy 1 Lab – 1 credit
- PTA 205 Clinical Anatomy 1 – 1 credit
Year 2: Fall
- CMP 104/146 Composition 2 Elective – 3 credits
- PTA 113 Pathophysiological Conditions 1 – 2 credits
- PTA 104 PTA Procedures Lab – 1 credit
- PTA 105 PTA Procedures – 2 credits
- PSY 102 General Psychology – 3 credits
Year 2: Spring
- PTA 114 Pathophysiological Conditions 2 – 2 credits
- PTA 106 Introduction to Clinical Education – 1 credit
- PTA 201 Physical Agents Lab – 1 credit
- PTA 202 Physical Agents – 2 credits
- PTA 117 Therapeutic Exercise 1 Lab – 1 credit
- PTA 118 Therapeutic Exercise 1 – 2 credits
Year 2: Summer Session 1
- PTA 111 Clinical Experience 1 – 3 credits
Year 3: Fall
- PTA 214 Clinical Anatomy 2 Lab – 1 credit
- PTA 215 Clinical Anatomy 2 – 1 credit
- PTA 212 Therapeutic Exercise 2 Lab – 1 credit
- PTA 213 Therapeutic Exercise 2 – 2 credits
- PTA 220 Current Topics in Physical Therapy – 3 credits
- PTA 217 Pediatric Physical Therapy – 1 credit
- HUM Elective – 3 credits
Year 3: Spring
- PTA 206 PTA Seminar – 1 credit
- PTA 210 Case Studies in Physical Therapy – 2 credits
- PTA 211 Clinical Education Experience 2 – 7 credits
Graduates of the Physical Therapist Assistant program can pursue careers in:
- Rehabilitation facilities
- Acute care hospitals
- Long-term care centers
- Pediatric clinics
- Outpatient PT clinics
- Home health care
- School settings
Upon completion of the program, graduates will be able to:
For complete details on program learning outcomes, semester course breakdowns, and practicum requirements, please refer to the Academic Catalog.
NSCC's Physical Therapist Assistant program has official transfer agreements with Salem State University and the University of Massachusetts Lowell. Students are encouraged to consult with academic advisors to explore transfer agreements and plan their academic pathways accordingly.
Salem State University
A.A. Physical Therapist Assistant to B.S. Sport and Movement Science, Exercise Science
concentration [View Agreement]
University of Massachusetts Lowell
A.S. Physical Therapist Assistant to B.S. Exercise Science [View Agreement]
Please note the data above reflects a degree in the listed program
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Accreditation
North Shore Community College is an accredited public institute of higher education where all are welcome and each is challenged. NSCC is accredited by NECHE, the New England Commission of Higher Education.
Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE)
The PTA program at North Shore Community College is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), 3030 Potomac Avenue 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 email or call Diane Caruso at dcaruso@northshore.edu or 978-762-4165.