Physical therapist assistants play an important role in recovery, helping patients regain movement and manage pain after injuries and illnesses. Working under the supervision of a physical therapist, the physical therapist assistant helps maneuver the patient's body through stretches and exercises and oversees other important treatments. It's an important and rewarding job and offers chances for a real connection with patients.
Oakton's Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) Program teaches you the essential skills to provide this skilled, direct patient care under the supervision of a licensed physical therapist in a variety of health care settings. You can earn an associate in applied science (A.A.S.) degree by taking 69 credit hours of general education and PTA courses or pursue the PTA pathway, a recommended sequence of courses.
Courses at our Des Plaines campus include classroom and laboratory instruction in such therapeutic interventions as heat and cold applications, electrotherapy and therapeutic exercise. You'll also enrich your learning through a planned clinical experience in off-campus medical facilities.
You will have to pay laboratory fees, provide proof of health insurance, purchase uniforms, provide your own transportation to four assigned clinical facilities and participate in laboratory activities that require applications of physical therapy treatments. Laboratory classes also require you to wear appropriate clothing that exposes selected body areas necessary for the teaching and learning of physical therapy assessments, treatments and interventions.
When you graduate from this program, you will be eligible to take the National Physical Therapy Exam for Physical Therapist Assistants and become a licensed PTA in Illinois
Enrollment is limited. There are a number of minimum requirements for admittance. (Please note: meeting those requirements does not guarantee admission.) For more information on program admissions and how applications are decided on, please view our Admission Requirements.
Among the learning outcomes for our 69-credit hour program, you will be prepared to apply current knowledge, theory, and clinical judgment while considering the patient/client perspective and the environment, based on the plan of care established by the physical therapist.
This pathway is recommended for students pursuing an Associate in Applied Science degree in Physical Therapist Assistant. General Education courses should be selected from the list of IAI General Education Courses.
Enrolling at Oakton College can save you thousands of dollars and help you earn more over the course of your career. Our tuition is among the lowest in the region, and we offer many ways to bring your costs down even more.
99 percent of Oakton students graduate without debt.
To help you get there, you can apply for a scholarship, which you don’t have to pay back. We award $12 million in scholarships annually. Financial Aid includes grants, loans, and other forms of financial assistance that can reduce your costs of attending college.
We offer payment options that give you control over how you pay. Pay all at once or spread your payments over the course of the semester.
Learn more about your options for paying for your education
Other Requirements
Clinical requirements include passing a drug test, having a clear criminal background check, and clear health requirements including vaccinations and insurance before the start of the PTA program.
In this program, you will take courses involving off-campus clinical rotation. You are required to submit a current and complete physical examination, including immunizations, prior to clinical courses and a copy of your health insurance card to prove coverage. Clinical requirements include passing a drug test and having a clear criminal background check before the start of the PTA program.
We also recommend that you view an Information Session video below prior to applying.
1. New students should apply online. Current Oakton students should apply through their myOakton account.
2. View your Admission Checklist online. Your New Student Portal includes Admission Checklist and next steps.
3. Submit admission documents, including official transcripts (high school, college, AP, military) and proof of residency.
4. Complete the minimum requirements for admission.
5. Students eligible for early decision are notified in writing of their ranking status in March. All other PTA applicants will be notified in June.
All applicants are encouraged to meet with a health career specialist, healthcareeradvising@oakton.edu.
Successful completion of the PTA Program requires the student to participate in laboratory classes in which real physical therapy interventions are practiced and administered to classmates and staff, and to satisfy the clinical training component of the program in which physical therapy interventions are administered by the student to real patients.
Students are required to attend four different clinical training experiences designed to expose the student to the depth and breadth of contemporary physical therapy practice.
The student must be able to apply the knowledge and skills required to function in a wide variety of clinical settings and situations while providing the spectrum of physical therapy interventions.
Patients have a right to safe and quality healthcare from PTA students and graduates. Classmates and staff have a right to safe practices while in the classroom and laboratory. Because of these rights, the following essential skills have been adopted. These essential skills represent reasonable expectations of the PTA student for the performance of common physical therapy functions.
Each student must be able to perform each of the Essential Skills:
PHYSICAL
COGNITIVE
AFFECTIVE
The above statements were derived in part from job descriptions and work expectations from various physical therapy facilities and behavioral and academic expectations from the physical therapy educational community.
Each student’s right to participation in the clinical portion of the curriculum is also contingent upon compliance with the rules of the clinical facility. The clinical facility has the sole discretion to determine when its rules have been violated.
Oakton College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, disability, age, sexual orientation or marital status.
Students must be able to meet each of these essential skills. Those who have a documented learning, psychological, or physical disability may be entitled to reasonable academic accommodations or services. Requests for accommodations or services must be made through the Access and Disability Resource Center at the Des Plaines or Skokie campus. All students are expected to fulfill essential course requirements. The College will not waive any essential skill or requirement of a course or degree program.
The Physical Therapist Assistant Program at Oakton 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 847-635-1857 or email mmendoza@oakton.edu.
CAPTE is the only accreditation agency recognized by the United States Department of Education and the Council for Higher Educational Accreditation to accredit physical therapist assistant education programs. It establishes and applies standards that assure quality and continuous improvement and reflect the evolving nature of education, research and practice.
Complaints regarding the program should be first addressed to PTA Program Chair Melissa Mendoza. An appointment to discuss the problem should be scheduled via phone to 847.376.7182 or email mmendoza@oakton.edu.
Unresolved complaints should be directed to Maribel Alimboyoguen, Dean of Health Careers via phone to 847.376.7053 or email malimboyoguen@oakton.edu.
All complaints will be documented, including the projected outcome, and securely filed within the program.
Complaints regarding accreditation of this program should be addressed to the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education at 3030 Potomac Ave., Suite 100, Alexandria, VA 22305.
Two-year Average Program Outcome Data: (2022 and 2023 graduates)
|
Graduation |
First Time |
Ultimate |
Employment |
2019 |
82.1% |
100% |
100% |
100% |
2020 |
84% |
94% |
100% |
94% |
2021 |
72% |
100% |
100% |
100% |
2022 |
85% | 100% | 100% | 100% |
2023 |
71% | 100% | 100% | 100% |
Our Physical Therapist Assistant Program Financial Fact Sheet outlines the cost of the program for in-district vs out-of-district students. It compares tuition to private institutions and provides resources to research the cost of living and financial support.
Oakton's Physical Therapy faculty are talented teachers and healthcare practitioners. The Physical Therapy Assistant Program is overseen by an expert panel of clinicians, physical therapists, and educators.
Melissa Mendoza, Chair
Professor of Physical Therapist Assistant
M.S. Boston University
D.P.T. Saint Louis University
N.C.S. American Board of Physical Therapy Specialist
mmendoza@oakton.edu
847.376.7182
Office: 204A, Lee Center Des Plaines
Mary Ann Nedorost
Professor of Physical Therapist Assistant
MBA University of Illinois of Chicago
Juris Doctor from John Marshall Law School
D.P.T. Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science
mnedoros@oakton.edu
847.635.2613
Office: 203, Lee Center Des Plaines
Marietta Arasniewicz
Associate Professor of Physical Therapy
Ph.D. James Cook University, Townsville (Australia)
D.P.T. Northwestern University
marasniewicz@oakton.edu
847.635.1877
Office: 203, Lee Center Des Plaines
Martina Azizi, DPT
Outpatient Orthopedic Physical Therapist
NorthShore University Health System
Emily Birney, PTA
2nd In Command
Team Rehabilitation
Lauren Canon, DOR, MS, CCC-SLP
Director of Rehabilitation Services
Holy Family Medical Center
Myly Castillo, DPT
Physical Rehabilitation Services at the
NCH - ICC
Northwest Community Hospital
Luke Jarosinski, PTA
Rehab Director
Westminster Place
Lisa Heswall, PTA
Illinois Bone and Joint Institute
Christine Moorehouse, PT
Clinical Instructor
Accelerated/Athletico Rehabilitation
Vicki Parker, PTA
Manager
Chicago Health and Physical Therapy
Julie Petelle, PTA
Outpatient Physical Therapy
RPI Services, Inc
Renee Ramos, PTA
Assistant Administrator
Generations Healthcare Network
Debra Sierminski, PTA
Team Leader
Advocate Lutheran General Hospital
Crystal Smith, DPT
Physical Therapist
Edward Hines, Jr. VA Hospital
Jodi Steiner, PTA
Physical Therapist
Whitehall PRN
Karen Stevens, PT, DPT, MS, OCS
Faculty Member
Rosalind Franklin University
Dept. of Physical Therapy
Patrick Wargo, PTA
Staff PTA/Clinical Instructor
Lutheran Home
Ex-Officio Members:
Victoria Cleary
Administrative Assistant for the PTA Program
Oakton College
Jennifer Crowley
Senior Health Career Advisor
Oakton College
Elizabeth Dempsey, PTA
PTA Lab Instructor
Oakton College
Melissa Mendoza, DPT
Chairperson, PTA Program
Oakton College
MaryAnn Nedorost, DPT
Academic Clinical Coordinator, PTA Program
Oakton College
The on-site observation requirement gives applicants a first-hand look at PTAs in the workplace. You'll be able to ask questions, learn more about clinical settings and patient needs, and gain a better understanding of the difference between physical therapists (PTs) and PTAs. All of this information can help you decide if becoming a PTA is a good career choice for you.
Applicants are responsible for coordinating their own observation experience. Select a physical therapy facility in the area that employs licensed PTs and PTAs. A minimum of 10 hours of observation must be spent at the physical therapy facility. Hospitals, nursing homes and outpatient clinics are good choices; doctors’ offices, home health care agencies and chiropractic offices generally are not. Contact the facility of your choice, explain the observation requirement to staff, and schedule your observation hours. Remember: students are required to enter the contact information of the licensed PT or PTA when completing the online application. The link for the recommendation form will then be provided to the recommender.
Licensure Requirements: Each state and territory has different licensure and certification requirements. Oakton has determined that its PTA program meets one of the major educational requirements leading to professional licensure in all U.S. States. Dependent upon an alternate state’s Physical Therapy Practice Act, additional licensure requirements may be required. Additional requirements may include additional exams, background checks, years of work experience, fingerprinting, etc.
Licensure information is reviewed and updated on this site in June of each year. As of July 1, 2022, we have determined that individuals that successfully complete Oakton’s Physical Therapist Assistant Program curriculum:
Meets the education requirements leading to licensure/certification in these states and U.S. Territories: Alabama, Alaska, American Samoa, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Guam, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Northern Mariana Islands, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, U.S. Virgin Islands, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming
Does NOT meet the education requirements For licensure/certification in these states and U.S. Territories:
We have not made a determination if the program curriculum meets the requirements for licensure/certification in these states and US Territories:
Oakton College’s PTA Program is a CAPTE (Commission of Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education) approved program. Graduates of Oakton’s PTA program satisfy one element required to practice in any of the United States. If you intend to practice in a state other than Illinois, you should contact the appropriate licensing agency to independently determine what additional elements, if any, are required to gain licensure in that state.
Here are some useful links to help you determine those requirements:
Jurisdiction Licensure Reference Guide: This webpage informs you whether a jurisprudence exam, criminal background check, or other criteria is required to obtain licensure in other states. A jurisprudence exam is a separate exam that tests your ability to understand the state’s Physical Therapy Practice Act.
FSBPT Licensure Reference Guide: This is a free resource giving you pertinent Licensing Authorities Contact information listed by states in alphabetical order.
Be aware that state licensure requirements may change from time to time.