Welcome to Marian University's Associate of Applied Sciences Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) program. Grounded in Franciscan traditions, our program prepares you to become a skilled and adaptive physical therapist assistant, committed to enhancing health, well-being, and mobility for all individuals and communities. Through challenging coursework, hands-on training, and a focus on evidence-based practice, we equip you to lead in physical therapy.
While at Marian, you’ll work and train alongside students from other health professions, including osteopathic medicine, nursing, occupational therapy, and physical therapy, gaining valuable collaborative experience.
Our program will:
What is Physical Therapy? Why Choose PT?
What is a Physical Therapist Assistant, and what do they do?
Join us at Marian University, and take the first step toward becoming a compassionate, effective physical therapist assistant who makes a difference in the world. Contact us to speak with someone about our upcoming PTA program.
The Marian University PTA program is currently in development. Applications are scheduled to open in January 2026, with the first cohort enrolling in January 2027.
Incoming first-year students will begin each fall and be admitted as pre-PTA majors with conditional admission to the PTA program.All dates are pending successful progression through the accreditation process (see statement below for additional information).
You will engage in classroom lectures, laboratory sessions, and fieldwork experiences to develop a hands-on and well-rounded skill set. You will benefit from a curriculum that is designed with rigorous academic preparation in key areas of study, including:
As a PTA, you will be prepared to treat patients and clients with a broad spectrum of conditions and in areas of practice. A few of these include:
As a graduate of the MU PTA program, you will be prepared for a rewarding career in a variety of settings, including:
In addition to a traditional associate degree path, students can also pursue
The program boasts a team of experienced and dedicated faculty members who are leaders in their respective areas of physical therapy. With a blend of academic expertise and real-world practice experience, faculty provides students with invaluable insights and mentorship throughout their educational journey.
Collaborate with students from other healthcare programs, fostering the teamwork skills essential in modern healthcare environments. Marian University is home to the Wood College of Osteopathic Medicine, the Leighton School of Nursing, and programs in Occupational and Physical Therapy.
We have established strong partnerships with various healthcare facilities, schools, and community organizations. These relationships provide students with a variety of clinical opportunities, allowing them to gain hands-on experience in different practice settings.
Train in our cutting-edge simulation labs equipped with the latest technology and adaptive equipment used in the field. This hands-on experience ensures students are well-prepared for real-world scenarios.
Participate in community outreach programs, applying skills while making a positive impact in local communities.
Graduation from a physical therapist assistant education program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education, 3030 Potomac Ave., Suite 100, Alexandria, Virginia 22305-3085; phone; 703-706-3245; accreditation@apta.org is necessary for eligibility to sit for the licensure examination, which is required in all states. Candidacy is considered to be an accredited status, as such the credits and degree earned from a program with Candidacy status are considered, by CAPTE, to be from an accredited program. Therefore, students in the charter (first) class should be eligible to take the licensure exam even if CAPTE withholds accreditation at the end of the candidacy period. That said, it is up to each state licensing agency, not CAPTE, to determine who is eligible for licensure. Information on licensing requirements should be directed to the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT) or specific state boards (a list of state boards and contact information is available on FSBPT's website.
Marian University is seeking accreditation of a new physical therapist assistant education program from CAPTE. The program is planning to submit an Application for Candidacy, which is the formal application required in the pre-accreditation stage, on May 1, 2026. Submission of this document does not assure that the program will be granted Candidate for Accreditation status. Achievement of Candidate for Accreditation status is required prior to implementation of the professional phase of the program; therefore, no students may be enrolled in professional courses until Candidate for Accreditation status has been achieved. Further, though achievement of Candidate for Accreditation status signifies satisfactory progress toward accreditation, it does not assure that the program will be granted accreditation.
Students enrolled in the Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) program are required to participate in clinical experiences in order to successfully complete the program. Prior to participating in clinical experiences, all students are required to obtain and pay for a background check and any other mandatory screening processes. Upon completion, students are required to submit necessary documentation via the appropriate vendor, as identified by the department. The timeline for completion of the background checks and other screening processes will be articulated by the program.
Positive results from a criminal background check that are sufficiently severe in nature may result in the inability of a student to progress in the program and may result in dismissal. Examples of sufficiently severe offenses include, but are not limited to; violent felony convictions, convictions for crimes of deception, convictions for sex crimes, and placement on a sex offender registry. Any subsequent criminal arrests that occur after enrollment must be reported to the unit Dean or designee.
The appropriate personnel on campus and at a clinical site will evaluate the information and surrounding circumstances to determine if the student can participate in a clinical experience. Although the University will make reasonable efforts to place admitted students in clinical experiences and internships, it will be up to the host facility to determine whether a student will be allowed to work at that facility. The physical therapist assistant program will take reasonable steps to find alternate placements, but a failure to place students because of a positive criminal background check may result in a student being unable to satisfy the graduation requirements of the program.
Even if allowed to progress in the program, students should be aware that a criminal record may jeopardize licensure by the State certification body. Students are advised to consult the appropriate certification body corresponding to their intended occupation for more details.
Successful completion of a program of study does not guarantee licensure, certification, or employment in the relevant occupation.
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