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.
Plus, this program is eligible for the S.C. Wins Scholarship, which can pay up to $65 per credit hour.
Related Programs
Career Coach
Request More Info
Important Dates
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 (2019-20) | 83.3% | 90% | 90% | 100% |
| Yearly Data | ||||
| 2020 | 86% | 100% | 100% | 100% |
| 2019 | 80% | 75% | 75% | 100% |
| 2018 | 83% | 70% | 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: https://www.capteonline.org. If needing to contact the program/institution directly, please call 843-525-8230 or email jswearingen@tcl.edu
Quick Facts
A CAREER THAT PAYS
It pays to be a PTA: the median annual wage is $59,410.
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 $59,410, according to 2020 reports from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Earnings can increase substantially with time and experience
PROGRAM COST
Total Tuition: 69 credits x $200 per credit = $13,800.
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 2021 in-state, in-service-area tuition. Your actual cost may differ. Does not include fees, books and other costs. Qualifications vary.
WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING
“TCL’s PTA program is a really smart choice because of job security – PTAs will always be in demand.”
Joey Swearingen
Program Director
FAQS & ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Important Additional Requirements
Applicants interested in the Physical Therapist Assistant program must first complete the college admission application process. The student will then make an appointment to meet with a Health Science Advisor. Acceptance into the college does not guarantee admission into a health sciences program. Applications for admission to the Physical Therapist Assistant program may only be obtained from Health Science Advisors. Call 843.525.8267 for additional information and to schedule an appointment with an advisor.
Is this program for you?
Yes, particularly if you:
• like working with people.
• excel in science.
• Have physical strength to move and lift patients.
Curriculum Details & Applications
Other Resources
• American Physical Therapy Association
• The South Carolina Chapter of the American Physical Therapy Association
• United States Department of Labor
• PTA Program Overview Slideshow
• Clinical Education Manual rev. Oct 2017
• Division Student Handbook 2021-2022
• Physical Therapy Assistant Student Handbook 2021-2022
Instructors
Joey Swearingen
Interim Dean/ Program Director / Physical Therapy Instructor
843-525-8230
Beaufort Mather Campus, Bldg. 4, Rm. 113
Kara Santana
Physical Therapy Assistant Instructor
843-525-8335
Beaufort Mather Campus, Bldg. 4, Rm. 126