Our hybrid PTA program in Orlando designed for your career success as a physical therapist assistant
| Accreditation | CAPTE accredited,† Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission |
|---|---|
| Length | Core PTA Courses completed in 14–16 months; average of 20 months (5 semesters) if general education courses are needed; you may transfer up to 54 approved credits from prior college coursework to shorten the time to complete |
| Format | Hybrid delivery; complete gen eds online, PTA core courses offered on campus in Orlando |
| Hands-on | Practical training includes on-campus labs and 560 hours of clinical practicum experience near Orlando, as close to your local area as possible |
| QuickPaths | Transfer credit, stackable credentials, and adaptive learning technology build a faster pathway to a higher education with Herzing University |
Now Enrolling
Make an impact through a career in physical therapy dedicated to patient progress and rehabilitation
A career as a physical therapist assistant offers the opportunity to make a meaningful difference in how people move, recover, and live each day.
Our PTA program is designed to help you build the knowledge and hands-on skills needed to support patient rehabilitation in a variety of care settings. Through online and on-campus coursework, in-person laboratory training, and supervised clinical experiences, you can develop a well-rounded education to prepare for career success.
With guidance from experienced faculty and a student-focused environment at the Orlando Campus, you’ll be supported every step of the way.
Career-focused curriculum
Discover the crucial knowledge and skills required to succeed in your work and build a foundation for continued career growth.
Flexible schedule
Hybrid delivery allows you to complete some coursework online on your schedule. We work hard to help you maintain school-life balance.
Experienced faculty
Get face-to-face instruction from experienced and credentialed faculty with real-world success in the field.
Lifelong support
We support your ongoing career advancement by providing comprehensive, personalized student services with lifelong career coaching.
Rolling admissions
No application deadlines to worry about. Apply when you’re ready and prepare to get started soon.
Courses & curriculum details
In Herzing’s associate degree program, you will build a foundation in natural sciences, social sciences, mathematics, and humanities. Our associate degree program’s general education requirements include completing Algebra, Psychology, English Literature, Cultural Diversity, Professional Development, Speech, and Anatomy and Physiology I and II. Anatomy and Physiology I and II must be completed with a grade of C (70%) or better.
Core PTA classes are designed for students to engage in learning the knowledge and skills needed for the profession. You will participate in planned clinical and laboratory experiences that provide a hands-on approach to classroom learning. Graduates are prepared to take the National Licensing Examination for Physical Therapist Assistants as the program provides individualized licensure examination preparation as part of the core curriculum. Multiple licensure preparatory resources and assessments are integrated throughout the curriculum. This includes several industry resource guides and mock exams.
45%
Lecture-style coursework
20%
Hands-on laboratory training
35%
Clinical practicum experience
| Program | Months i | Credit |
|---|---|---|
| Associate of Science in Physical Therapist Assistant | 14-20 | 73 |
iAverage number of months for students to complete program
Required Support Course
8.00 semester credit hour is required.
Required Courses
All courses, 45.00 semester credit hours, are required.
General Education Prerequisites
The following general education prerequisite courses must be completed with a grade of C (70%) or better for a student to be continued in the PTA program: Anatomy and Physiology I and Anatomy and Physiology I Lab Anatomy and Physiology II and Anatomy and Physiology II Lab All other general education courses must be passed with a grade of D (60%) or better to be continued in the Physical Therapist Assistant program. A student who is dropped from the PTA program for failing to achieve the minimum grade specified in the general education courses, but who otherwise meets the academic standards of the University, may transfer to another Herzing degree program and/or may reapply to this program in a future cycle.
Required Courses in General Education
Students enrolled in this associate degree must complete a minimum of 18.00 semester credit hours in general education (◊includes 6.0 credit hours from Anatomy and Physiology listed in above required) distributed among the following disciplines. Refer to the General Education section of this catalog for Herzing University courses that would satisfy these requirements.* 9.00 Semester Credit Hours in Communications 3.00 Semester Credit Hours in Humanities (must include 3 semester credit hours of cultural diversity) 3.00 Semester Credit Hours in Social or Behavioral Science 3.00 Semester Credit Hours in Mathematics ◊Science Semester Credit Hours are satisfied through Anatomy and Physiology requirement listed above. * Transfer students may transfer courses that are within 1.00 semester credit hour of the courses listed above to meet these discipline requirements. Any resulting deficiency in the total of 24.00 semester credit hours required in general education may be made up with general education electives from any of the listed disciplines.
Personal and Professional Development Courses
2.00 semester credit hours are required.
Distribution of Contact Hours by Course
Distribution of Contact Hours by Course Course or Category Lecture Hours Lab Hours Clinical Hours Total Contact Hours Credits PT 105 60.00 60.00 4.00 PT 110 30.00 60.00 90.00 4.00 PT 116 45.00 45.00 3.00 PT 130 15.00 57.00 5.00 77.00 3.00 PT 140 30.00 30.00 60.00 3.00 PT 151 30.00 27.00 5.00 62.00 3.00 PT 210 14.00 5.00 19.00 1.00 PT 220 30.00 30.00 60.00 3.00 PT 240 30.00 30.00 60.00 3.00 PT 251 30.00 57.00 5.00 92.00 4.00 PT 260 30.00 30.00 2.00 PT 271 270.00 270.00 6.00 PT 281 270.00 270.00 6.00 Anatomy and Physiology With Lab 90.00 60.00 150.00 8.00 Personal/Professional Development 30.00 30.00 2.00 Communications 135.00 135.00 9.00 Humanities 45.00 45.00 3.00 Mathematics 45.00 45.00 3.00 Social and Behavioral Sciences 45.00 45.00 3.00 Totals 734.00 351.00 560.00 1645.00 73.00
The PTA clinical practicum experience
You’ll have the opportunity to put your academic learning into in-person practice during the clinical practicum component of the PTA program. This is where you really discover what it takes to succeed as a PTA—and fine-tune your skills to prepare for your first real job after graduation.
Clinical experiences include four integrated clinical experiences and a clinical practicum prep course prior to starting your first full-time terminal clinical.
The program features 560 total clinical hours. Most of your clinical hours will occur near the conclusion of the program as part of the Clinical Practicum I and II courses.
We work hard to place you with a clinical site as near to you in the Orlando area as possible. We have partnerships with several institutions in locations such as Orlando, Lakeland, Kissimmee, Lake Mary, Deltona, Sanford, Winter Park, Clermont, Ocoee, and others in the Greater Metropolitan area.
Meet Our Leadership
“Becoming a Physical Therapist Assistant is a rewarding path for those who want to make a real difference in people’s lives.
PTAs combine hands-on care with scientific knowledge to help patients regain movement and independence every day. It’s a career that offers stability, personal fulfillment, and the satisfaction of seeing the impact of your work firsthand.”
Dr. Amy Vernon PT, DPT, MSPT
Department Chair, Physical Therapist Assistant ProgramSince 2009, I have served as the Program Director for the PTA Program at the Orlando campus. My education includes a Bachelor’s of Science in Child and Family Studies and Master and Doctorate degrees in Physical Therapy. I hold certifications in Neurodevelopmental Treatment, Kinesiotaping, Craniosacral Therapy, and Sensory Integration Therapy. A specialization of mine is treating pediatric patients. Currently serving as an Assembly Representative for the Florida Physical Therapy Association, I am passionate about teaching and ensuring that future generations of therapists advocate for their patients and for the physical therapy profession.
Admissions requirements
The following general factors are considered prior to acceptance into the Herzing University Orlando Physical Therapist Assistant associate degree program:
- Prior education requirement. Completion of high school diploma, GED, or equivalent.
- Entrance testing. Applicants must demonstrate the capacity to succeed in college-level courses via prior ACT/SAT scores, completion of prior college credit, or additional entrance testing.
- Special criteria. Because the program includes direct patient contact in a clinical setting, you must complete drug testing, immunization and health checks, and accept and acknowledge select statements of policy – contact admissions for more details.
- Availability of time, personal commitment, and a professional attitude. We exist to help enthusiastic students fully committed to reaching their highest career goals. Our Physical Therapist Assistant faculty and leadership are dedicated to helping you reach them.
You will need to meet and interview with a Herzing University admissions advisor and complete an enrollment application to be admitted into the program.
If you have any additional questions regarding admissions into the program, please contact our admissions team.
Tuition & Cost
Tuition & Cost
The cost of tuition for the Associate of Science in Physical Therapist Assistant program in Orlando is $630 per credit.
You can potentially earn even greater savings by transferring credit from prior college coursework, applying for financial aid, or potential partnership opportunities through your employer.
Our goal is your career advancement. That's why we are always working to improve our curriculum and processes to make our program as affordable as possible while preparing you best for success in your work.
Scholarships & Financial Aid
You may be eligible for multiple scholarships and grants, both through Herzing University and several national scholarship websites.
Military/Veteran Discounts
Veterans, Active Duty U.S. Servicemembers, and spouses may qualify for a 10% tuition discount or tuition reduction to $250 per credit.
Accreditation
Our accredited PTA program in Orlando
We strive to earn rank as one of the top private, nonprofit universities in Orlando and the state of Florida. Just as you work every day to become the best version of yourself, so do we as a university.
We are proud to have attained institutional accreditation, as well as programmatic accreditation for our Physical Therapist Assistant program.
✝The Associate of Science in Physical Therapist Assistant program at Herzing University Orlando is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), 3030 Potomac Ave., Suite 100, Alexandria, VA, 22305-3085, telephone: 703-706-3245; email: accreditation@apta.org; website: www.capteonline.org. If needing to contact the program/institution directly, please call Amy Vernon, Program Chair, at (407) 478-0500 or email avernon@herzing.edu.
Herzing University is institutionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org), a regional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Waived Enrollment Fee
Discover the educational pathway designed to maximize your career potential. Reach for greater heights with Herzing University.
Our PTA program is a hybrid offering, meaning you can complete part of the program online. You complete general education coursework online, with the core classes completed on campus.
The clinical and laboratory portion of the Herzing associate degree program curriculum is crucial to building the real-world skills necessary to succeed as a physical therapist assistant.
Herzing’s goal is to best prepare you for career success, and we pride ourselves on delivering a personal, individualized education to help you flourish as a practicing PTA.
We design the program to be appropriately challenging in line with what is required for career success as a PTA.
The program is designed for students of all educational backgrounds. You do not need any prior experience in healthcare to succeed—only the determination and desire to become the best healthcare provider you can be!
If you’ve earned relevant college credit in the past, you can potentially transfer credit and reduce the time and cost of the program. You can transfer up to 54 approved credits into the PTA associate degree program. This means that students can complete the program in as little as 14 months.
If you have more specific questions about transferring credit from prior education, contact our admissions team and we can help guide you through the process.
You can take general education credits part-time. However, PTA core courses must be completed on a full-time basis—generally 12-14 credits per semester. Once you begin core PTA coursework, you’ll progress as a group with your fellow students at a fixed rate.
Yes. The curriculum is designed to emphasize topics foundational for success on the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE).
Concepts are integrated throughout the course of the program to provide you with the comprehensive education needed to pass the exam. The program utilizes review sessions, practice exams, and practice questions to help students prepare for the National Exam. The curriculum includes a course with an emphasis on NPTE preparation.
No, there is no general minimum GPA requirement to apply.
Herzing's physical therapist assistant degree program at the Orlando Campus begins twice a year—January and July, and we accept 24 students each time without a waiting list.
Program Finder
Associate and Associate of Applied Science in Physical Therapist Assistant
On CampusTo learn more about this program, click the Request Info button.
FAQs about a career as a PTA in Florida
Physical Therapist Assistants provide care for people in a variety of settings, including private physical therapy practices, hospitals, outpatient clinics, home health agencies, schools, sports and fitness facilities, and nursing homes.
Here’s a breakdown according to 2024 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics:
| Employer Category | % of PTAs employed |
|---|---|
| Offices of physical, occupational and speech therapists, and audiologists | 45% |
| Hospitals; state, local, and private | 20% |
| Home healthcare services | 12% |
| Nursing care facilities (skilled nursing facilities) | 10% |
| Offices of physicians | 5% |
The hours and days that physical therapist assistants work vary with the facility. About 28% of all PTAs work part-time. Many outpatient physical therapy offices and clinics have evening and weekend hours, to coincide with patients’ personal schedules.
Physical therapist assistants need a moderate degree of strength because of the physical exertion required in assisting patients with their treatment. In some cases, PTAs need to lift patients. Frequent kneeling, stooping, and standing for long periods are also part of the job.
PTAs work as part of a team to provide physical therapy services for patients of all ages under the direction and supervision of a physical therapist.
Physical therapists are expected to increasingly use assistants to reduce the cost of physical therapy services. Once a patient is evaluated and a treatment plan is designed by the licensed physical therapist, the PTA can provide many parts of the treatment, as approved by the therapist.
Together they work toward each patient’s goals using interventions such as therapeutic exercise, functional training, soft tissue massage, and various physical modalities. The PTA is an integral part of the team and communicates vital information to other team members, directly contributing to overall patient success.
Find out more about what a physical therapist assistant does and what you can expect in your career as a PTA.
Physical Therapist Assistants may advance to administrative positions. These positions might include organizing all the assistants in a large physical therapy organization or acting as the director for a specific department, such as sports medicine. Other assistants go on to teach in an accredited PTA academic program, lead health risk reduction classes for the elderly, or organize community activities related to fitness, wellness and risk reduction.
Occupational therapy assistants (OTAs) work under the direction of an occupational therapist to help people of all ages who have a disability, condition or injury that interferes with their ability to carry out daily self-care, school or work tasks. OT/OTAs work on cognition as well as the physical aspect of care.
Physical therapist assistants (PTAs) work under the direction of a physical therapist to help people return to daily activity which may encompass movement related recreational pursuits, work, or sports. PTAs also offer patients injury prevention strategies related to fitness and movement.
Choose a PTA program if you are comfortable with physical contact, have the strength to support a patient’s full bodyweight if needed, and can be a strong motivator for patients completing challenging or uncomfortable exercises.
Discover further details about the primary difference between an OTA vs. PTA.When compared to the average United States occupation, physical therapist assistants are in very high demand.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), from 2024-2034, the projected increase in PTA employment is 22% - much faster than the national average across all occupations.* Projections Central’s long-term projection for PTAs in Florida is an even higher 37.7% from 2022-2032.**
Given the above average projected increase in employment, now is a great time to earn your degree, get certified, and enter a rapidly growing field in healthcare.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, physical therapist assistants in the state of Florida earn an average salary of $68,460 per year ($32.92 per hour).*
Pay can vary depending on where you practice, your level of experience, and the type of medical facility you work for.
The Herzing University Physical Therapist Assistant program takes 20 months to complete as scheduled full-time if general education courses are needed. Students may complete in 14-16 months if transferring in all general education courses.
After earning your associate degree, you’ll need to sit for the NPTE-PTA exam to earn your license and truly become a physical therapist assistant. There are typically 4 test dates per year – you may view future exam dates for the NPTE-PTA here.
To become a physical therapist assistant in the state of Florida, you’ll need to first earn your degree and take a few more steps:
- Education – enroll in a PTA program. You must earn an associate degree from a program like Herzing’s to become eligible for licensure.
- Earn experience in a clinical environment. Participate in hands-on laboratory and clinical experiences, gain real-world practice and prepare for the real thing.
- Get licensed. After graduating, you will be required to pass the National Physical Therapy Exam for physical therapist assistants (NPTE-PTA) before practicing as a PTA in Florida.
- Find your first job. After earning your license, you will be ready to begin your new career.
Our goal is to empower you to earn the education needed to get your first job and excel in your new career as a physical therapist assistant.
If you are a good communicator, a passionate learner, and love to inspire and motivate other people, you could be an excellent physical therapist assistant.
Learn more about what makes a great physical therapist assistant from a physical therapist who’s worked in the industry for many years.
Student Outcomes
Summary of Herzing University - Orlando, Florida Campus PTA Student Outcomes
| Two-Year Average | |
|---|---|
| 2024-2025 Graduation Rate (students who complete the program in 150% of the time) | 83% |
| 2023-2024 Licensure Exam Pass Rate (percentage of graduates passing national board exam – first-time / all-time) | 78% / 91% |
| 2023-2024 Employment Rate (percentage of graduates who sought employment and were employed as PTAs within one year of graduation) | 96% |
The Student Experience at Herzing
It makes a world of difference to have in-person classes, especially when learning mobilizations or techniques.
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Disclosures
- This represents the percentage of graduates who sought employment and were employed as PTAs within one year of graduation (2023-2024).
Physical Therapist Assistants must complete academic and clinical education programs and pass the national licensure examination in order to be eligible to obtain licensure in most states.
2024-2025 PTA Student Financial Fact Sheet - Orlando
Herzing University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org), an institutional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
View Herzing University Accreditation and Approvals
* BLS pay estimates calculate the median annual wage for various occupations. Per the BLS the median wage for an occupation is: "The wage at which half of the workers in the occupation earned more than that amount, and half earned less. Median wage data are from the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey." Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook 2024. BLS median wage estimates do not represent entry-level wages and/or salaries. Multiple factors, including prior experience, age, geographic market in which you want to work, and degree level and field, will affect career outcomes, including starting salary and earnings as an experienced employee. Herzing neither represents that its graduates will earn the median salaries calculated by BLS for a particular job nor guarantees that graduation from its program will result in a job, promotion, particular wage or salary, or other career growth.
** Projections Central, Long-Term Projections (2022-2032). Multiple factors, including prior experience, age, geography market in which you want to work, and degree field will affect career outcomes. Herzing does not guarantee that graduation from its program will result in a job, promotion, or other career growth.
Waived Enrollment Fee
Discover the educational pathway designed to maximize your career potential. Reach for greater heights with Herzing University.