STRENGTHEN YOUR FUTURE
Love making a difference? As a PTA, you’ll make it your job to help others grow stronger.
Physical Therapist Assistants (PTAs) help individuals of all ages who are ill, injured, or have a health condition that limits the ability to perform daily activities.
Under the supervision of licensed physical therapists, PTAs can work in many different settings. These include: hospitals, outpatient centers, home health, sports/fitness, long-term care, and other facilities. PTAs teach patients exercises for mobility, strength, and coordination, as well as helping clients train for activities such as walking with crutches, canes, or walkers.
The Program
TCL’s full-time PTA program consists of 69 credit hours completed over five consecutive semesters. The curriculum includes general education, science, and PTA courses taught on site and in a variety of off-campus laboratory and clinical sites.
In the News: “Game Changer” Technology
The TCL’s Physical Therapist Assistant program’s new piece of high-tech equipment called the ‘Anatomage Table’ is enhancing teaching and learning in the classroom. Read the full story here.
Why choose the Physical Therapist Assistant Program?
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Important Dates
The application period for Fall 2025 goes through May 19, 2025. Visit the Health Sciences Application Process page for all of the information about applying.
You may contact Cindy Mooney at cmooney@tcl.edu or make an appointment through your Navigate account to determine if you are eligible to apply. Appointments may be virtual!
To schedule Achieve 3000—please email Health Sciences Advisor Cindy Mooney (cmooney@tcl.edu).
- Last Day for Achieve 3000 testing will be June 16.
- Achieve 3000 testing will take place at the Beaufort Campus.
To schedule TEAS—please email TEAS@tcl.edu.
Starting Fall 2022 there will be updates to the Curriculum and Curriculum Profile for the Surgical Technology Program. Please speak with Health Sciences Advisor, Cindy Mooney for any questions on the anticipated updates.
As of May 18, 2020 math and science courses must be completed within the last 5 years to be considered for Health Science applications.
Certify Your Skills
Earn valuable industry credentials! Coursework qualifies students to apply to take the National Physical Therapy Examination for Physical Therapist Assistants (NPTE) exam. TCL’s graduates continue to perform well above the national average. PTAs must complete an associate degree and successfully pass NPTE exam to be licensed in most states including South Carolina.
TCL PTA Program Specific Statistics
| Graduating Class | Graduation Rate | NPTE 1st Time Pass Rate | NPTE Overall Pass Rate | Employment Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2-year average (2023-24) | 95.6% | 85.7% | 100% | 100% |
| Yearly Data | ||||
| 2024 | 100% | 88.9% | 100% | 100% |
| 2023 | 85.7% | 83.3% | 100% | 100% |
| 2022 | 83.3% | 88.9% | 100% | 100% |
Accreditation & Accolades
Physical Therapist Assistant Program at The Technical College of the Lowcountry 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 843-525-8335 or email ksantana@tcl.edu.
Technical College of the Lowcountry is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award associate degrees. Degree-granting institutions also may offer credentials such as certificates and diplomas at approved degree levels. Questions about the accreditation of Technical College of the Lowcountry may be directed in writing to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097, by calling (404) 679-4500, or by using information available on SACSCOC’s website (www.sacscoc.org).
A CAREER THAT PAYS
It pays to be a PTA: the median annual wage is $63,330.
Quick Facts
VERSATILITY
Learn about nutrition, kinesiology, therapeutic methods, and rehabilitation practices.
A CAREER IN 2 YEARS
The 2-year PTA program consists of 69 credit hours over five full-time semesters.
JOB OUTLOOK
The job outlook is exceptional for all TCL health sciences graduates. The South Carolina’s annual mean wage for a physical therapist assistant is $63,330, according to 2022 reports from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Earnings can increase substantially with time and experience
PROGRAM COST
Total Tuition: 69 credits x $214 per credit = $14,766.
Remember, this is before S.C. Lottery Tuition Assistance and other financial aid, which could drop your costs by more than half. In fact, after financial aid, many TCL students attend for free. See more about paying for TCL.
*Based on Fall 2022 in-state, in-service-area tuition. Your actual cost may differ. Does not include fees, books and other costs. Qualifications vary; all subject to change.
WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING
“The Physical Therapist Assistant career path is a rewarding one with various job prospects. Make your career move by helping others stay in motion with the TCL PTA program.”
Kara Santana
Program Director
FAQS & ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Program Dean
Instructors
Kara Santana
PTA Program Director/PTA Instructor
843-525-8335
Beaufort Mather Campus, Bldg. 6, Rm. 108B
