PHYSICAL THERAPIST ASSISTANT
Associate of Applied Science Degree

The PTA is a technically educated health care provider who assists the PT and is a graduate of an accredited associate degree program. The relationship between the PT and PTA is one of collaboration, working together to provide quality care to their clients. Physical therapist assistants provide physical therapy services under the direction and supervision of a physical therapist. The patient's responses to the treatment are then reported for each treatment to the physical therapist.

PTA duties include:

The PTA contributes to society and the PT profession through the provision of physical therapy services, teaching and administration.

Physical Therapy is the care and services provided by or under the direction and supervision of a physical therapist. More that 750,000 individuals are treated every day in the United States . The practice of physical therapy consists of diagnosing and managing movement dysfunction by enhancing physical and functional abilities. It consists of clinical applications that help to alleviate pain, prevent the onset or progression of limitations or disability, and prevent changes in health status that occur as a result of disease, disorders, conditions and injuries. Physical therapy interventions can also restore health, maintain overall wellness, improve fitness, and provide quality of life as it relates to movement and health.

The Physical Therapist Assistant program is designed to graduate entry-level physical therapist assistants who work under the direction of a physical therapist. Graduates from the program are prepared to work in a variety of healthcare settings including acute care, outpatient, rehabilitation and assisted living facilities. The program prepares graduates to:

The Physical Therapist Assistant Program consists of 29 credits of prerequisites as outlined in the catalog, as well as requirements in biology, chemistry, physics, and computer literacy. This coursework can be completed within one year. Students must earn a “C” or better in ALL prerequisite courses and have a 2.5 GPA or higher to be eligible to apply for program admission. The student must formally apply to the program within the stated timeline and be formally accepted. Once accepted, the program is three semesters in length consecutively (fall, spring, and summer). Clinical experiences are built-in with a 4-week clinical at the end of the fall semester, a 6-week clinical at the end of spring semester, and an 8-week clinical at the beginning of summer semester.

After completion of the program, the graduate is eligible to take the national licensure examination for physical therapist assistants through the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy. Montana does require licensure to practice as a physical therapist assistant.

In seeking admission into the program, the student is required to complete all requirements listed in the Physical Therapist Assistant Program Information and Application Packet.

Accreditation Status:

Montana State University- Great Falls College of Technology is accredited by Northwest Association Commission on Colleges, a regional postsecondary accrediting agency.
From 1996 - 2003, MSU – Great Falls College of Technology offered the only physical therapist assistant postsecondary education program in Montana graduating six classes.  From 2003 to 2007, the PTA program was in a state of moratorium.  Due to high demand in Montana for the physical therapist assistant in the workforce, the program has been reactivated.  It will remain the only PTA program in Montana.

The Physical Therapist Assistant Program at Montana State University - Great Falls College of Technology received full initial accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) in December 1997.  The program hosted an on-site visit in October 2002, and in April 2003 CAPTE voted to fully re-accredit the PTA Program for a ten-year period lasting until 2012.  However, as the program went into a state of moratorium, MSU – Great Falls College of Technology filed an application for approval of substantive change to reinstate accreditation.  This PTA program has achieved accreditation. 

CAPTE voted to reinstate accreditation status of the Physical Therapist Assistant Program at Montana State University - Great Falls College of Technology as of May 16, 2007.  A Progress Report must be submitted to CAPTE by September 4, 2007 documenting progress toward compliance in the areas specified in the Summary of Action from CAPTE of the APTA.  An on-site review visit to the program will occur after the submission of the Progress Report and before the first class of students in the reinstated program graduate. PTA programs are required by the US Department of Education to come into compliance with all evaluative criteria within two years. 

Helpful Phone Numbers:

Contact Information:
Andrea Johnson , MS, PT
Physical Therapist Assistant Program Director
Montana State University- Great Falls College of Technology
2100 16th Avenue South
Great Falls , MT 59405
Ph: (406) 771-5134
Fax: (406) 771-4317
andrea.johnson@msugf.edu