Skip to Content
  • Canvas
  • HiveConnect
  • Baker Mail
  • My Baker
Baker College
  • (855) 487-7888
  • Apply
  • Visit
  • Request Info
Apply Visit Get Started
  • Programs and Degrees
    • Bachelor’s
      • Bachelor Degrees
      • Areas of study
        • Health Science
          • Health Science Bachelor’s
            • Healthcare Administration
            • See All Health Science Degrees
        • Business
          • Business bachelor’s
            • Accounting
            • Business Administration
            • Finance
            • Human Resource Management
            • Supply Chain Management
            • Management
            • Marketing
            • See All Business Degrees
        • IT & Engineering
          • IT & Engineering Bachelor’s
            • Computer Science (Computer Programming)
            • Computer Science (Data Analytics)
            • Game Software Development
            • Information Systems (Information Assurance)
            • Information Systems (Project Management)
            • Information Systems (Web Development)
            • Information Technology and Cybersecurity
            • See All IT & Engineering Degrees
        • Nursing
          • Nursing Bachelor’s
            • Nursing Traditional
            • Accelerated Nursing
            • Nursing (Post-Licensure)
            • See All Nursing Degrees
        • Social Science
          • Social Science bachelor’s
            • Criminal Justice (Criminal Justice Studies)
            • Criminal Justice (Law Enforcement)
            • Human Services
            • Psychology
            • See All Social Science Degrees
        • Liberal Arts & Sciences
          • Liberal Arts and Sciences bachelor’s
            • General Science
            • General Studies
            • See All Liberal Arts and Sciences Degrees
        • Education
          • Education bachelor’s
            • Early Childhood Education
            • See All Education Degrees
        • See Full Program List
        • See Minors List
    • Master’s
      • Master Degrees
      • Areas of Study
        • Business
          • Business Master’s
            • Accounting
            • Business Administration
            • Business Intelligence
            • Finance
            • Healthcare Management
            • Human Resource Management
            • Information Systems
            • Leadership Studies
            • See All Business Degrees
        • IT & Engineering
          • It & Engineering MASTER’S
            • Information Systems (MS)
            • See All IT & Engineering Degrees
        • Nursing
          • Nursing MASTER’S
            • Nursing Administration
            • Nursing Education
            • See All Nursing Degrees
        • Occupational Therapy
          • Occupational Therapy MASTER’S
            • Occupational Therapy (MSOT)
            • See All Occupational Therapy Degrees
        • Social Science
          • Social Science MASTER’S
            • Industrial/Organizational Psychology
            • See All Social Science Degrees
        • See Full Program List
    • Doctoral
      • Doctoral Degrees
      • Areas of Study
        • Business
          • Business doctorates
            • Business Administration (DBA)
            • Business Administration – ABD
            • See All Business Degrees
        • See Full Program List
    • Associate
      • Associate Degrees
      • Areas of Study
        • Health Science
          • HEALTH SCIENCE ASSOCIATE
            • Cardiac Sonography
            • Diagnostic Sonography
            • Health Information Technology
            • Occupational Therapy Assistant
            • Physical Therapist Assistant
            • Radiologic Technology
            • Surgical Technology
            • Veterinary Technology
            • See All Health Science Degrees
        • IT & Engineering
          • It & Engineering Associate
            • Mechatronics
            • See All IT & Engineering Degrees
        • Social Science
          • Social Science Associate
            • Criminal Justice (Criminal Justice Studies)
            • Criminal Justice (Law Enforcement)
            • See All Social Science Degrees
        • Liberal Arts and Sciences
          • Liberal Arts and Sciences Associate
            • General Studies
            • See All Liberal Arts and Sciences Degrees
        • Education
          • Education Associate
            • Early Childhood Education
            • See All Education Degrees
      • Affiliated Programs
        • Culinary
          • Culinary Associate
            • Baking and Pastry
            • Culinary Arts
            • Food and Beverage Management
            • See All Culinary Degrees
        • Auto Diesel
          • Auto Diesel Associate
            • Automotive Services Technology
            • Diesel Service Technology
            • See All Auto Diesel Degrees
        • See Full Program List
    • Certificates
      • Certificates
      • Areas of Study
        • Health Science
          • Health Science Certificates
            • Medical Assistant
            • See All Health Science Degrees
      • Affiliated Programs
        • Auto Diesel
          • Auto Diesel Certificates
            • Automotive Services Technology
            • Diesel Service Technology
            • Welding
            • See All Auto Diesel Degrees
        • See Full Program List
    • Continuing Education and Lifelong Learning
      • Continuing Education and Lifelong Learning
      • AREAS OF STUDY
        • Cannabis
          • Cannabis Courses and Certificates
            • Your Cannabis Career Starts Here
        • Full List of Programs
  • Admissions
    • Admissions
    • STUDENTS
      • Transfer
      • Graduate
      • Adult
      • Active Duty Military
      • Veteran
      • Returning
      • High School
      • International
    • OVERVIEW
      • Applying to Baker
      • Undergraduate Application Process & Requirements
      • Graduate Application Process & Requirements
    • Special Programs
      • Health Science Direct Admissions
      • RunningStart
      • View Admissions Department Home
  • Tuition & Aid
    • Tuition & Aid
    • PAYING FOR SCHOOL
      • Tuition
      • Net Price Calculator
    • Ways to Save
      • BeFree Tuition Guarantee
      • College Credit for Work and Life Experience
      • Financial Aid
      • Grants
      • Scholarships
      • See Tuition & Aid
  • Student Life & Services
    • Student life & Services
    • Student Services
      • Student Success and Engagement
      • Dean of Students
      • CARE Team
      • OneStop
      • Academic Resource Center
      • Learning Support Services
      • Disability Services
      • Bookstore
    • Life on Campus
      • Student Life
      • Esports
      • Housing
      • Campus Safety
  • News and Events
    • News and Events
    • At Baker College
      • Newsroom
      • Blog
      • Events
  • About Baker College
    • About Baker College
    • Explore
      • Office of the President
      • Accreditation
      • History
      • Nonprofit
      • The Baker College Bees
      • Careers at Baker College
      • Modern Workplace@BC
      • Alumni
      • Get to Know Us
  • Tools & Resources
    • Tools
    • Academic Resources
      • Academic Calendar (Old)
      • Catalog
      • Full Course List
      • Student Handbook
    • Job Readiness Resources
      • Career Services
      • Transcripts
      • Handshake Hiring Program
      • See All Tools & Resources
  • Campuses
    • Campuses
    • Michigan Campuses
      • Cadillac
      • Muskegon
      • Owosso
      • Jackson
      • Royal Oak
      • Campus Maps
      • See All Learning Options
    • Online Campuses
      • Baker Online
      • Online Live
    • Affiliated Institutions
      • Culinary Institute of Michigan
      • Auto / Diesel Institute
  • Current Students
    • Canvas
    • HiveConnect
    • Baker Mail
    • My Baker
Associate of Applied Science

Physical Therapist Assistant

  • Academics
  • Undergraduate Studies
  • College of Health Science
  • Physical Therapist Assistant

Program Highlights

Advance your career and make a difference as a physical therapist assistant.

Physical therapy is a vital fact of life for millions of Americans these days. Without the care and assistance of physical therapists, many people would be unable to live like they used to before an accident or injury. Even physical therapists need help sometimes, and this is where physical therapist assistants come in. This is a limited enrollment program.

  • You’ll learn how to assist a physical therapist with components of patient care such as exercises, modalities, and other interventions for a variety of injuries and conditions. You will also learn how to gather data related to the treatments provided, such as patient progress, pain levels, and functional abilities.
  • Through a combination of classwork, active lab participation and clinical experience working with real physical therapy patients, you’ll learn the skills and techniques you’ll employ every day in your new career.
  • The Associate of Applied Science in Physical Therapist Assistant degree program at Baker College is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE).
At a glance
77

Credit Hours

2

Years (Avg.)

View Full Curriculum

Learn Your Way

Physical Therapist Assistant classes are taught at the Muskegon, Owosso, Royal Oak campuses. Plus, general education and prerequisite courses are typically available through Baker Online, Online Live, and on all campuses throughout Michigan.

Learn More

Direct Admission

Enrollment in the Physical Therapist Assistant program is limited, and admission is GPA-based. High-performing incoming first-year students may qualify for guaranteed enrollment and scholarships through our direct admission program.

Email Print
  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on Twitter
  • Share on Linkedin

Why Study Physical Therapy?

The Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) is a technical healthcare worker who performs patient care under the supervision of a licensed physical therapist. Typical settings include hospitals, rehabilitation clinics, private practices, geriatric care facilities, sport medicine centers, school systems and industrial sites.

Curriculum

The Physical Therapist Assistant curriculum includes courses related to orthopedic and neurological management across the lifespan and is sequenced to progress from foundational theory to specialized hands-on treatment.

View Full Curriculum

Sample Courses

Applied Clinical Anatomy

Description
Study of anatomical, structural and functional properties of the musculoskeletal system. Covers osteokinematics, arthrokinematics and biomechanics of normal human movement. Emphasizes palpation of surface anatomy used during clinical assessment and intervention. Introduction to posture and gait is included.

Neurological Foundations of Motor Control

Description
Focuses on the neuroanatomy of the central and peripheral nervous systems as it relates to normal motor control and sensory integration. The neurological foundations of therapeutic exercise principles are introduced. Explores the clinical manifestations of lesions to the central nervous system. 30 hours of direct instruction are required.

Physical Agents

Description
xplores basic mechanical and electromagnetic physical principles as they relate to physical therapy interventions, including fluid mechanics and particle dynamics, thermodynamics, electricity, magnetism, radiation, Ohm’s Law and the Law of Conservation of Energy. Includes theory, principles of application and development of technical skills with a variety of physical agent interventions. Thermal agents, sound agents, circulatory assistive devices and electrotherapy agents are presented with basic competencies evaluated in laboratory experiences. Functional anatomy and basic patient handling skills are reviewed.
In Their Words
"My most significant takeaway from the PTA program was confidence. Confidence in myself as a healthcare professional, in my knowledge and study habits, and in my cohort, who have become my family over the course of the year and a half in the accelerated program."
Rachel Berstein
Baker College Alum, Class of '23

Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) Role

Physical Therapist Assistants (PTAs) work as part of a team to provide physical therapy services under the direction and supervision of physical therapists. PTAs implement selected components of patient/client interventions (treatment), obtain data related to the interventions provided and make modifications in selected interventions, either to progress the patient/client as directed by the physical therapist or to ensure patient/client safety and comfort. PTAs assist physical therapists in the treatment of individuals of all ages, from newborns to the very oldest, who have medical problems or other health-related conditions that limit their abilities to move and perform functional activities in their daily lives. Physical therapists are responsible for the services provided by the PTA. Physical therapists (PTs) are healthcare professionals who examine each individual and develop a plan using treatment techniques to promote the ability to move, reduce pain, restore function and prevent disability. In addition, PTs work with individuals to prevent the loss of mobility before it occurs by developing fitness- and wellness-oriented programs for healthier and more active lifestyles. PTAs provide care for people in a variety of settings, including hospitals, private practices, outpatient clinics, home health agencies, schools, sports and fitness facilities, work settings and nursing homes. PTAs must graduate from a CAPTE-accredited PTA program and licensure or certification is required in most states in which a PTA works.

Additional Requirements

After completion of the program, you’ll be prepared to take the National Physical Therapy Assistants Examination (NPTAE) licensure exam and start your promising career as a physical therapist assistant. For information about the licensure examination, see www.fsbpt.org/ExamCandidates.

Outcomes & Performance

Our mission for the physical therapist assistant degree program is to graduate students who have obtained the knowledge and skills to become employed as licensed physical therapist assistants and become contributing members of the physical therapy profession and healthcare team in diverse settings.

View Outcomes & Performance

Program Handbook

The handbook for this program is available in the latest edition of the Catalog/Student Handbook.

View Program Handbook

Financial Fact Sheet

Baker College Muskegon

Baker College Owosso

Baker College Royal Oak

Contact Information

If needing to contact the program/institution directly, please call or email:

Muskegon Campus Program Director: Scott Henderson Phone: 231-777-5276 Email: shende18@baker.edu

Owosso Campus Program Director: Erin Smith Phone: 248-563-4755 Email: erina.smith@baker.edu

Royal Oak Campus Program Director: Dr. Jamie Janes Phone: 248-276-6628 Email: jjanes07@baker.edu

For information about the licensure exam see: https://www.fsbpt.org/ExamCandidates.aspx.

Accreditation

The Physical Therapist Assistant Program at Baker College Muskegon Campus 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 Scott Henderson, PT, DPT at 231-777-5276 or email shende18@baker.edu.

The Physical Therapist Assistant Program at Baker College of Owosso 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 989-729-3485 or email erina.smith@baker.edu. 

The Physical Therapist Assistant Program at Baker College Royal Oak Campus 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 Jamie Janes, PT, DPT, OCS at (248) 276-6628 or email: jjanes07@baker.edu.

This page was last revised on May 7, 2025.
  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on Twitter
  • Share on Linkedin
Email Print

On Campus Available

View campus locations

Unavailable on Baker Online

Core courses for this degree program are not offered through Baker Online.

For those interested, a selection of general education and prerequisite courses are available through Baker Online each semester.

Baker Online

Unavailable on Online Live

Core courses for this degree program are not offered through Online Live.

For those interested, a selection of general education and prerequisite courses are available through Online Live each semester.

Online Live
We're Here to Help
Ready to take the next step?

Contact us today to speak with a
Baker admissions expert.

By clicking Submit, I give Baker College my consent to use automated technology to call, text, and email me regarding educational services, using the contact information above, including my wireless number. This consent is not required to receive educational services.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

 

Admissions

  • Apply
  • Online
  • Undergraduate Admissions
  • Graduate Admissions
  • Tuition & Aid
  • International Students
  • Transfer Students
  • Military Friendly
  • Running Start

About Baker

  • Schedule a Visit
  • Get to Know Us
  • Mission and Core Values
  • Accreditation
  • Newsroom
  • Events
  • Blog
  • Careers

Tools & Resources

  • Request Info
  • My Baker
  • Baker Mail
  • Bookstore
  • Academic Resource Center
  • Canvas

Contact Us

1020 S Washington St, Owosso, MI 48867

Phone: (800) 964-4299

(855)487-7888

Facebook YouTube Twitter Instagram LinkedIn
  • Disclosure of Consumer Information
  • Policies And Procedures
  • Privacy Policy
  • Title IX Policy
  • Annual Security Report
  • ASR Health Benefits: MRF (TiC Rule)
Baker College
Baker College

Accredited by The Higher Learning Commission. An equal opportunity affirmative action institution. An approved institution of the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA) and the Midwestern Higher Education Compact (MHEC).

Continuing Education and Lifelong Learning courses may or may not be eligible for college credit, and these courses are not eligible for financial aid or Baker College scholarships. Baker College’s Higher Learning Commission accreditation does not encompass Continuing Education and Lifelong Learning courses.

If you encounter an accessibility issue using this page, please let us know.

© 2025 All rights reserved. Baker College