Physical Therapist Assistant

Cecil College is an inclusive, open-access community college committed to academic excellence and service to the greater community. The Physical Therapist Assistant program is dedicated to this mission. Consistent with the Cecil College Mission, the mission of the Physical Therapist Assistant program is to provide an optimal learning experience which fosters academic excellence, critical thinking, clinical performance and high ethical standards. This will be accomplished by providing a supportive learning environment of integrated classroom, laboratory, and clinical education experiences that prepare students to deliver the highest quality of patient care, under the direction and supervision of a physical therapist. Ultimately, the outcome will be to graduate well-educated, competent, compassionate physical therapist assistants who strive for excellence, commit to high ethical standards, appreciate diversity, invest in their community and engage in lifelong learning.

Program goals are in alignment with and in support of the strategic initiatives of Cecil College. It is the goal of the Cecil College PTA program to provide for the health care needs of Cecil County and the surrounding area by educating and graduating PTAs who are highly skilled, competent, ethical providers prepared to join the health care team.

The PTA program will:

1. Drive academic achievement by providing current information to the community and to prospective students regarding the practice of physical therapy and the role of the physical therapist assistant in health care delivery.
2. Expand and deepen community alliances to meet the health care needs of Cecil County and the surrounding region.
3. Foster a dynamic learning environment providing state-of-the-art classroom, laboratory and learning resources to enhance the student’s attainment of the knowledge and skills needed for graduation from the program and licensure.
4. Provide clinical education experiences which provide the student with the appropriate environment for attainment of competence in the day-to-day practice of physical therapy under the direction and supervision of a licensed physical therapist.
5. Graduate individuals who:
   1. are well prepared to provide entry-level knowledge, clinical skills and the professional abilities of a physical therapist assistant in a safe and effective manner
   2. demonstrate the ability to communicate verbally and in writing, in a clear and understandable manner
   3. conduct themselves in a truthful and ethical manner with both patients and other health professionals
   4. seek out avenues in which to broaden and expand their professional roles to more adequately serve the health care field

The specific student learning outcomes are identified to facilitate the student's ability to acquire the necessary knowledge, skills, and behaviors for providing competent physical therapist assistant care under the supervision of a physical therapist in a variety of health care settings. As a provider of health services, PTAs should be self-motivated, creative, critical thinkers who strive for personal and professional growth.

Cecil College faculty will utilize the following student learning outcomes in implementing and evaluating the program’s goals. Program graduates are able to:

1. Demonstrate the entry-level knowledge, clinical skills and professional abilities of a physical therapist assistant
   1. In the delivery of interventions
      1. Demonstrate competence and safety in implementing selected components of interventions identified in the plan of care, established by the physical therapist
         • Functional training
         • Infection Control Procedures
         • Manual therapy techniques
         • Physical agents and mechanical agents
         • Therapeutic exercise
         • Wound management
      2. Demonstrate competency in performing components of data collection skills essential for carrying out the plan of care. These include:
         • Aerobic capacity and endurance
         • Anthropometrical characteristics
         • Arousal , mentation, and cognition
         • Assistive, adaptive, orthotic, protective, supportive, and prosthetic devices
         • Gait, locomotion, and balance
         • Integumentary integrity
         • Joint integrity and mobility
         • Muscle performance
      3. Review the plan of care established by the PT prior to initiating patient/client intervention
      4. Recognize when NOT to perform intervention based on patient signs/symptoms and when interventions are beyond the scope of a PTA
      5. Provide legal and ethical interventions as directed in the plan of care and supervised by the PT
      6. Provide effective instruction to the patient/client and others to achieve the goals and outcomes as described in the plan of care
      7. Participate in discharge planning
      8. Collect data to quantify the patient/client’s response to interventions as directed and supervised by the PT
      9. Progress the patient/client interventions through the plan of care
   2. In all communication
      1. Complete documentation that follows professional guidelines, health care system, and physical therapy facility policies
      2. Complete documentation that is accurate, timely, thorough, logical, concise and legible
      3. Communicate an understanding of the plan of care developed by the physical therapist
      4. Expressively and receptively communicate in a culturally competent manner with PTs, patients/ clients, family members, caregivers, other health care providers, students, interdisciplinary team members, payers, and consumers
      5. Report changes in patient status to supervising PT and requests clarification when needed
      6. Express and communicate outcomes
   3. During education activities
      1. Participate in educating patients and caregivers as directed by the supervising PT to achieve outcomes based on the plan of care
      2. Effectively educate others using teaching methods commensurate with the needs of the learners
      3. Educate others about the role of the PTA
   4. During resource management activities
      1. Adhere to federal and state legal practice standards and institutional regulations related to patient / client care and fiscal management
      2. Utilize human and material institution-based resources and services to provide high quality, efficient, and cost-effective PT services
      3. Comply with facility procedures and payer regulations consistent with the health care delivery system and the practice setting
      4. Participate in performance improvement activities
2. Provide competent patient care under the direction and supervision of a licensed physical therapist, in an ethical, legal, safe and effective manner in a variety of health care settings
   1. Select and demonstrate appropriate clinical interventions based on best clinical practice and sound clinical evidence
   2. Read and understand health care literature
   3. Respond effectively to patient/client and environmental emergencies in the work setting
   4. Demonstrate competence in the provision and documentation of interventions identified in the plan of a care established by the physical therapist
3. Integrate behavioral expectations of altruism, caring and compassion, cultural competence, duty, integrity, PT/PTA collaboration, responsibility and social responsibility into professional practice
   1. Demonstrate behaviors, conduct, actions, attitudes, and values consistent with the roles, responsibilities, and tasks of the PTA
   2. Identify, respects, and acts with consideration for the patients/client’s differences, values, preferences, and expressed needs in all physical therapy activities
   3. Act in a manner consistent with the Standards of Ethical Conduct for the PTA and Standards of Practice of the PTA, and Maryland Practice Act for Physical Therapy
   4. Demonstrate a commitment to meeting the needs of patients and consumers
   5. Place patient’s/client’s needs above the PTAs own self interests
   6. Exhibit compassion, caring, and empathy in providing services to patients/clients
   7. Demonstrate integrity in all interactions with patients/clients, family members, caregivers, supervising PTs, coworkers, other consumers, employers, and payers
   8. Promote active involvement of the patient/client in his or her care
   9. Support and participates in organizations and efforts that promote physical therapy and demonstrate good citizenship
4. Manage an effective transition from the educational program to a career as a licensed physical therapist assistant
   1. Develop a plan for continuous professional competence and lifelong learning
   2. Participate in learning and development activities to ensure continued professional competence
   3. Participate in and respond to self-assessment activities
   4. Change behavior in response to understanding the consequences (positive and negative) of the PTAs actions
   5. Recognize role of the PTA as a role model for PTA students
   6. Pass licensure exam and secure entry-level job
   7. Qualify for state licensure and take the National Board Examination (NPTE) for the physical therapist assistant
      1. meet all qualifications for graduation
      2. apply for the NPTE and state licensure
      3. develop a study plan for NPTE, successfully implement study plan for NPTE
   8. If successful in passing the NPTE, is able to apply for a job as a physical therapist assistant
      1. develop job seeking strategy
      2. develop resume and cover letter
      3. practice job interview skills
      4. initiate plan for continued professional competence by citing continuing professional competence requirements of licensure jurisdiction

Please refer to the Prospective Student Packet for detailed admission information.

Career Exploration Worksheet

The American Physical Therapy Association is an excellent resource for career information. For an enhanced understanding of the PTA profession, students are encouraged to complete the Career Exploration Worksheet and upload the worksheet on the checklist page of the PTA 2026 application.

Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS)

Students applying for the Cecil College Physical Therapist Assistant program selective admission are required to complete the TEAS Version 7 exam. The TEAS exam is comprised of multiple-choice questions in the areas of reading, math, science, and English. The exam is specifically designed to assess a student's preparedness for entering a health science field.

Students may take the TEAS exam in-person at Cecil College in the Academic Success Center. The cost is $70.00, paid to the Cecil College Cashier's office. For an appointment email asc@nullcecil.edu or call (443) 715-3292.

The TEAS may also be taken remotely proctored by ATI Testing. The cost is $120.00 paid to ATI testing. For more information on remote testing, please refer to the following documents:

• How to Create a New ATI Account
• How to Take the TEAS Remote Proctored Exam at ATI

To ensure the student's privacy, Cecil College has created a secure online PTA 2026 Application. Please use the secure link to complete your application, sign, and upload the requested documents. Upon completion, the application will be automatically sent to the PTA Admissions Team for review. Please follow up by sending an email to pta@nullcecil.edu informing the PTA program of your application submission. Questions or concerns about the PTA program or the application process should be emailed to pta@nullcecil.edu.

Please refer to the college catalog for Cecil College's statement regarding non-discrimination.

Please refer to the college catalog for information about FERPA.

Standard tuition and fees apply for courses associated with the Associate of Applied Science Physical Therapist Assistant degree. The AA PTA degree consists of 46 PTA professional credits and 24 general education credits. Transfer credit for general education courses may be granted according to Cecil College policy. A Cecil College advisor is available to assist students with the PTA program requirements and transfer credit eligibility. The Cecil College financial aid office is available to assist students with applying for financial aid and scholarship opportunities. Cecil College tuition and fees are subject to change without prior notice.

The following is an estimate of the costs for a Cecil County resident for the two-year AA PTA degree. Please refer to tuition and fees for out-of-state rates.