Missouri Western’s Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) Program is a two-year Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree path that prepares graduates to sit for the National Physical Therapy Exam (NPTE) and attain licensure as a physical therapist assistant. The program includes classroom, laboratory, and clinical education experiences which emphasize hands-on learning in a student-centered learning environment. Cohorts are limited to 20 students and all PTA courses are taught by experienced, licensed PTs and PTAs who are dedicated to student success and the profession of physical therapy.
Missouri Western’s Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) Program is a two-year Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree path that prepares graduates to sit for the National Physical Therapy Exam (NPTE) and attain licensure as a physical therapist assistant. The program includes classroom, laboratory, and clinical education experiences which emphasize hands-on learning in a student-centered learning environment. Cohorts are limited to 20 students and all PTA courses are taught by experienced, licensed PTs and PTAs who are dedicated to student success and the profession of physical therapy.
Applying to the PTA Program
The PTA program is a competitive entrance program. Application to the program is made separately from application for admission to Missouri Western. The PTA program accepts one cohort per year, which begins in the Fall semester. The annual deadline for standard application to the program is March 1st.
Application to the PTA program is open to current MWSU students, transfer students, non-traditional students, and incoming freshman (who may apply during their senior year of high school). Click here for more information.
Program Timeline
The PTA program is a full-time, daytime program with both morning and afternoon courses held Monday-Thursday. It begins annually in the Fall with integrated coursework consisting of general studies courses, foundational sciences, and technical physical therapy courses.
The program is a total of seventy-two credit hours, taken over four semesters and two Summer sessions. Degree requirements consist of nine credit hours of general education, fifty credit hours of PTA required classes, and thirteen credit hours of clinical education. Clinical education courses are full-time (36-40 hours per week) clinical internships, which take place for four weeks in the Summer between the first and second year, six weeks in the final Spring semester, and six weeks in the final Summer semester.
After Graduation
The program has determined that its curriculum meets the state educational requirements for licensure or certification in all states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands secondary to its accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE).
Students graduating from MWSU are eligible to take the National Physical Therapy Examination and apply for licensure in all states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. For more information regarding state qualifications and licensure requirements, refer to the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy website at www.fsbpt.org.
The program is designed to prepare graduates to meet the requirements to practice as a Physical Therapist Assistant in a variety of health care settings, including hospitals, rehabilitation centers, long-term care facilities, outpatient clinics, sports medicine clinics, and school-based systems.
The table below displays graduation rate, ultimate pass rate, and employment rate in table form by year.
| 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2-Year Average (23-24) | |
| Graduation Rate | 88% | 82% | 89% | 85.5% |
| First Attempt Licensure Exam Pass Rate | 86.7% | 100% | 50% | |
| Ultimate Licensure Exam Pass Rate | 93.3% | 100% | 87% | 93.75% |
| Employment Rate (one year after graduation) | 100% | 100% | n/a |
Additional Resources
Mapping your degree plan is important. Consult with your academic advisor to create a plan and monitor it regularly.
Applying to the PTA Program
The PTA program is a competitive entrance program. Application to the program is made separately from application for admission to Missouri Western. The PTA program accepts one cohort per year, which begins in the Fall semester. The annual deadline for standard application to the program is March 1st.
Application to the PTA program is open to current MWSU students, transfer students, non-traditional students, and incoming freshman (who may apply during their senior year of high school). Click here for more information.
Program Timeline
The PTA program is a full-time, daytime program with both morning and afternoon courses held Monday-Thursday. It begins annually in the Fall with integrated coursework consisting of general studies courses, foundational sciences, and technical physical therapy courses.
The program is a total of seventy-two credit hours, taken over four semesters and two Summer sessions. Degree requirements consist of nine credit hours of general education, fifty credit hours of PTA required classes, and thirteen credit hours of clinical education. Clinical education courses are full-time (36-40 hours per week) clinical internships, which take place for four weeks in the Summer between the first and second year, six weeks in the final Spring semester, and six weeks in the final Summer semester.
After Graduation
The program has determined that its curriculum meets the state educational requirements for licensure or certification in all states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands secondary to its accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE).
Students graduating from MWSU are eligible to take the National Physical Therapy Examination and apply for licensure in all states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. For more information regarding state qualifications and licensure requirements, refer to the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy website at www.fsbpt.org.
The program is designed to prepare graduates to meet the requirements to practice as a Physical Therapist Assistant in a variety of health care settings, including hospitals, rehabilitation centers, long-term care facilities, outpatient clinics, sports medicine clinics, and school-based systems.
The table below displays graduation rate, ultimate pass rate, and employment rate in table form by year.
| 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2-Year Average (23-24) | |
| Graduation Rate | 88% | 82% | 89% | 85.5% |
| First Attempt Licensure Exam Pass Rate | 86.7% | 100% | 50% | |
| Ultimate Licensure Exam Pass Rate | 93.3% | 100% | 87% | 93.75% |
| Employment Rate (one year after graduation) | 100% | 100% | n/a |
Additional Resources
Mapping your degree plan is important. Consult with your academic advisor to create a plan and monitor it regularly.