Physical Therapist Assistant, A.A.S. Frequently Asked Questions
A minimum grade of C is required in all pre-clinical courses. Admission to the program is required before taking PTA courses. All General Education requirements must be completed prior to or concurrently with PTA-231. In recognition of the intensity of the program requirements, most PTA students choose to complete all non-PTA coursework prior to beginning the program. Program graduation requirements are subject to change.
In addition to Tuition and Fees, estimated expenses include: (add these to PTA Tuition & Fees child page)
- Books and supplies: $460 per term
- Uniforms and equipment: $50
- Licensure fee: Maryland $150, plus $50 for fingerprinting
- National examination: $485 (as of January 2023)
The average student age over the past several years has been between 22 and 30. However, 12% of our class is 46 years of age or older. Most of our students have families, and many have worked in different fields prior to entering the program. Students from varied personal and professional backgrounds have found success within our program. The most important factor for determining success in Carroll’s PTA program and, ultimately, as a Physical Therapist Assistant is a desire for lifelong learning and a strong motivation to help people.
The average student age over the past several years has been between 22 and 30. However, 12% of our class is 46 years of age or older. Most of our students have families, and many have worked in different fields prior to entering the program. Students from varied personal and professional backgrounds have found success within our program. The most important factor for determining success in Carroll’s PTA program and, ultimately, as a Physical Therapist Assistant is a desire for lifelong learning and a strong motivation to help people.
Data for Fall 2022 students who graduated in December 2023
- Number of applicants who met minimum requirements: 42
- Number admitted:20
- Number on wait list: 10
Historical demographics of the PTA classes (22-23)
- Average number admitted: 20
- Percentage of women in each class: 55%
- Percentage of men in each class: 45%
- Percentage of African American students in each class: 5%
- Percentage of Asian students in each class: 3%
- Percentage of Hispanic or Latino students of any race in each class: 8%
- Percentage of students of two or more races in each class: 7%
- Percentage of Caucasian students in each class: 77%
- Percentage of students who are married at admission: 45%
- Percentage of students who marry during the program: Less than 2%
- Percentage of students with dependents who need care: 32%
- Percentage of students who worked during part of program: 96%
- Percentage of students with Bachelor’s degrees: 46%
- Percentage of students with Associate’s degrees: 14%
- Percentage of students with Master’s degrees: <1%
Retention rate (overall) over three years
98% who enter graduate.
85% of students who left were dismissed for academic reasons. Remaining 15% chose to leave for family, money or personal reasons and may have “stopped out” because of pregnancy or military placement.
The clinical portion of the program takes 16 months to complete. This portion of the program includes all PTA didactic, laboratory and clinical coursework. Carroll’s three clinical affiliations provide specific experiences at three different levels.
You must provide your own transportation to each clinical site. While the program attempts to keep you close to home for at least two of the affiliations, travel time may be up to ninety minutes.
If you know of a practice or hospital where you would like to conduct your clinical(s), the academic clinical coordinator can arrange for the setting to sign a contract with the College. However, you are not permitted to complete your clinicals where you have been employed. For more information, contact Program Director Sharon Reid at 410-386-8259 or sreid@carrollcc.edu.
PTA 241-01 Clinical Arts One
PTA 242-01 Clinical Arts Two
PTA 243-01 Clinical Arts Three
The Maryland Board of Physical Therapy Examiners may deny a license to any applicant who has been convicted of or pleads nolo contendre to a crime involving moral turpitude, whether or not any appeal or other proceeding is pending to have the plea set aside. If prospective students have questions regarding this, they should contact the PT Board of Examiners directly.
We welcome input from all communities in our effort to enhance Carroll’s Physical Therapist Assistant program. As such, any community member may comment or critique Carroll’s PTA program and the program’s students and graduates. Those who are not a Carroll student, faculty or clinical educator should utilize the following procedures.
Complaints which fall outside of the Formal Complaint process or the Code of Integrity should also utilize the following procedures:
Comments must be provided in writing and signed by the author. Neither anonymous submissions nor written comments provided on behalf of an anonymous source will be acknowledged.
Comments must be submitted to:
Carroll Community College
PTA Program Director
1601 Washington Road
Westminster, MD 21257
The PTA Program Director responds to all comments within seven days to further discuss and resolve the issue. If satisfactory resolution cannot be reached, appeal may be made to the Division Chair of Allied Health within seven days. If satisfactory resolution is still not reached, appeal may be made to the Office of the President within seven days. The decision of the President will be final and not subject to further appeal.
Records of all correspondence are maintained by the Program Director for two years.