Physical Therapist Assistant

Find your calling as a Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA)

Are you passionate about helping others? In the Associate of Science in Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) program, you will be able to learn how to effectively assist people as they regain confidence and mobility after physical limitation. Whether it’s helping stroke victims walk again or getting injured athletes back out on the field, you will have the opportunity to transform limitations, restore ability, and change lives.

The Physical Therapist Assistant Program (Orange County and Los Angeles campuses) at Stanbridge University 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: [email protected]; website: http://www.capteonline.org. If needing to contact the program/institution directly, please call 949-794-9090 or email [email protected].

Public Comment Procedure

Take the first step for your future

The Associate of Science in Physical Therapist Assistant program is offered in Orange County and Los Angeles.

Stanbridge University accepts applications for admission to our diploma and degree programs on an open enrollment basis. To apply, please visit the Stanbridge University Portal to access the application form. Your Admissions Representative will provide you with details for each step.

• Complete an online application form. Click here to start.
• Meet with your Admissions Representative for a personal tour of the campus.
• Take the entrance exam appropriate for your educational level and program.
• Provide proof of high school graduation, a GED or a higher degree.
• Take the Online Readiness Quiz.
• Complete a minimum of 20 hours of documented paid or volunteer experience or observation in a physical therapy facility or related setting with a licensed PT or PTA.
  • If the applicant is not able to complete the onsite observation hours, the university will accommodate this by allowing the applicant to complete the required hours by requesting the ICE Supplemental Videos Review assignment form from the Admissions department.
• Complete the entrance questionnaire and interview.
• Meet with a Financial Aid Representative to review your tuition funding options.
• If accepted, complete enrollment paperwork and background check.
• Submit transfer of credit request by 14th day from acceptance date.
• Financial aid process deadline: 14 days from acceptance (if eligible), or from date of first financial aid meeting, whichever comes later.
• Attend an orientation prior to the start of your program. In the orientation, you receive important information to help you begin your classes and manage your time at Stanbridge University.

To learn more about transfer credit information, please visit catalog.stanbridge.edu.

Schedule options that fit your life

The PTA degree program's full-time schedule is offered in Orange County and Los Angeles.

PROGRAM DURATION³

The program is 122 quarter credit hours and takes approximately 20-21 months to complete, including federal holidays and any breaks between terms. Completion times vary depending upon the start and end dates of a cohort and any individual circumstances that may impact progression.

PROGRAM SCHEDULE⁴

Courses are delivered via on-ground, online, and blended (on-ground and online) learning environments. Labs take place on campus and clinical practicum and clinical affiliations occur at facility.

Didactic and Lab Courses

Commonly scheduled between four to five days per week each term and commonly start at 8:00 AM PT. May last up to 7.5 hours in a day. 

Terms offering blended and/or online courses will include asynchronous assignments. Please take the Online Readiness Quiz to determine whether you can meet the hardware, software, and competency requirements for taking online courses.

Clinical Practicum and Clinical Affiliations

Term 5: commonly scheduled for 4 weeks, up to 40 hours per week.
Terms 7 and 8: commonly scheduled in two 6-week sessions, up to 40 hours per week. 

The site’s approved schedule may include some weeks with required additional hours, holiday coverage, or weekend shifts. Locations, days, and time shifts are not guaranteed. Clinical education sites will be confirmed no later than two weeks prior to the start of the clinical education course. Clinical education site schedules are subject to change due to site availability.

Finding the Right Fit for You

Furthering your education is both a commitment and an investment. A diploma or degree will open doors to greater career opportunities and increase your earning potential. We understand that funding this investment can feel overwhelming, which is why Stanbridge University has a Financial Aid team that will walk you through your options and help you decide on the best financial aid package.

Federal Financial Aid Programs

Stanbridge University has the following federal financial aid programs available to those who qualify.

• Federal Pell Grants
• Federal Direct Subsidized Stafford Loan
• Federal Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loan
• Federal Direct Parent Loans for Undergraduate Students (PLUS)

Read more about these options in the Stanbridge University Catalog.

Cal Grants

Stanbridge University also participates in Cal Grants. Cal Grants are awarded to those who qualify by the California Student Aid Commission. Read more about these options in the Stanbridge University Catalog.

Private Education Loans

Stanbridge University has partnered with various lending institutions that offer private loans to those who qualify. FASTChoice provides you with information about private loan options. Please visit their website to help you determine which is best for you. Learn more at www.fastproducts.org.

How to Start Your Financial Aid Process

Get the most out of your meeting with our Financial Aid team by first creating your Federal Student Aid ID (FSA ID) and completing your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®).

The FAFSA application will ask you to submit our school code:

Orange County Campus School Code: 038893
Los Angeles Campus School Code: E40465
Riverside Campus School Code: 038893

2024 CAPTE Physical Therapist Assistant Financial Fact Sheet

The Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT), a non-profit credentialing agency, administers the National Physical Therapist Assistant Exam (NPTE) to license qualified candidates in physical therapy. Focused on decision-making and core patient care principles, the NPTE is a critical milestone toward becoming a licensed PTA professional.

At Stanbridge University, we are committed to our students' preparation for the NPTE by offering cumulative reviews and exit exams in terms 2 through 6, followed by a comprehensive end-of-program review and NPTE preparation course in terms 7 and 8. We continuously provide top-tier exam preparation materials and courses at no additional charge to support our students' success.

The Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy:

Two-Year First-Time Pass Rates by School - PTA Programs

Program Statistics: 2023-2024 Averages

Campus	Graduation Rate5	Employment Rate6	Ultimate NPTE Pass Rate	First-Time NPTE Pass Rate
Orange County	93%	100%	100%	98.60%
Los Angeles	95%	100%	100%	92.10%

Program Director: Rebecca de Ruyter, PT, Cert MDT

Please note that the data presented above is reported to The Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) and is derived from the outcomes of graduates over the past two years as stated from the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy; Basic Pass Rate Report. Stanbridge University's institutional accreditor, the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC), mandates a different timeframe for its Annual Report concerning graduation and employment rates.

For further details, please consult the ACCSC Annual Report available at this link: https://www.stanbridge.edu/disclosures.

⁵Those who graduated and who sought employment who were employed in physical therapy within one year of graduation.

⁶Subject to change after 1 year stabilization.

At Every Step of the Journey

Stanbridge University is committed to helping you achieve educational excellence through innovative, rigorous, and accessible programs with a student-centric, holistic support framework. From day one of orientation until well after graduation, our goal is to support each student, who will then go on to transform thousands of lives.

From the Very Start

Student support is woven into the very fabric of academic life from day one of your comprehensive, three-day orientation. At orientation, you will meet your support teams and fellow classmates who will join you as you journey towards your fullest potential.

Laying the Foundation for Success

Within your first year at Stanbridge®, you will have exclusive access to signature seminars designed to assist with goal setting, time management, academic discipline and integrity, positive communication, managing stress, and much more.

Support When You Need It Most

No matter how you learn, we offer tutoring solutions at no additional cost to help you succeed. Tutoring options include one-on-one and group tutoring with current students, alumni, and caring, dedicated faculty for your program. Additionally, you can access virtual tutoring from anywhere, conveniently integrating learning into every day life.

A Team You Can Count On

Student Services Officers

Your individual, dedicated Student Services Officer (SSO) is assigned to you from the first day of orientation. Your SSO is ready to provide highly individualized support with academic and personal development, offering assistance and guiding you through your program.

Academic Assistance

In the Learning Resource Center, you can hone your writing, research, and critical thinking skills with the expert assistance of our on-campus librarian and writing specialist. Meet and collaborate with fellow students and tutors in your go-to location for all things academia.

Stanbridge Student Assistance Program

We are committed to not only your success as a student, but also your personal well-being. Through the Stanbridge Student Assistance Program, you will have access to free counseling services in order to help with a wide variety of difficult situations, including stress, depression and anxiety, family conflict, alcohol and drug abuse, identity theft, daycare issues, and more.

Help at the Click of a Button

We strive to create an environment where you can pursue your passion to the fullest. To this end, we provide convenient online workshops to enhance and enrich your student experience. You can delve into both academic and personal development workshops on a schedule that works for you.

Become the Best You Can Be

OutREACH

We believe that every student has the power to change the world. You will have the opportunity to enrich your academic and personal development through rewarding community service projects. Learn, develop, and train for your future while you transform the local and global community for the greater good.

Student Organizations

Campus life at Stanbridge creates a lifelong community. By joining a student organization, you can practice, develop, and hone effective leadership skills and gain exclusive access to professional networking and leadership events that provide valuable career preparation.

Student Leadership Development

Become a new kind of leader, ready and able to meet the needs of a fast-paced, demanding industry. At the biannual two-day Stanbridge Student Leadership Summit, you will explore the values, skills, and professional behaviors required as you learn alongside accomplished leaders.

Your Future Starts Now

From your first day of orientation until long after your educational journey, our dedicated Career Services team is here to help. You will be paired with an individual Career Services Officer (CSO) who will offer one-on-one guidance with resume preparation, portfolio development, and practice interviews.

Career Advising

From the beginning of your program you’re paired with a Career Service Officer to help guide you with career advising and preparation. In each term of your program, you’ll work with your Career Service Officer on specific goals including resume and portfolio building, networking, and interviewing. Our goal is to help you prepare for a seamless transition to a rewarding career.

Digital Portfolio Builder

As an exclusive resource to our students and graduates, the Stanbridge University Digital Portfolio Builder helps you organize and present your academic experience from Stanbridge University and professional achievements into a modern and sleek online portfolio. As you progress, your academic achievements including GPA, completed courses, and community service activities are automatically updated in your portfolio. Along with guidance from your Career Service Officer, you can easily add and edit your achievements. The Digital Portfolio Builder also automatically creates a resume for you from the data collected during the portfolio creation process. You can email your digital portfolio in a single link to your future, potential employers for a unique and strong first impression.

Mock Interview Sessions

Our Career Services department guides students and graduates through personality mapping, salary negotiations, role-playing, and other specialized interview techniques to enable them to take control of the job interview. We make sure you’re confident to put your best foot forward.

LinkedIn Profile and Networking

LinkedIn is an essential tool for any active job-seeker. Career Services works with students and graduates to build LinkedIn networks to connect them to colleagues and potential employers.

Job Leads

Graduates receive access to continually updated job listings and career opportunities, including recruiting organizations and Southern California companies with whom we have built relationships.

Alumni Services

From a highly networked, vibrant Alumni Association to proven career services, we are committed to your success as a graduate. You can network professionally and take part in fun community-building events. From the moment you cross the stage to every moment after, we’re there to help prep and propel you toward that next big thing.

Stanbridge University’s Physical Therapist Assistant program is available at the Irvine (Orange County) and Alhambra (Los Angeles) campuses.

The Orange County campus is conveniently located near the 405 freeway, across from the John Wayne Airport, providing easy access for students from Irvine, Anaheim, Huntington Beach, Santa Ana, Garden Grove, Lake Forest, and other Orange County cities.

The Los Angeles campus is located in the San Gabriel Valley with quick access to the 10 and 710 freeways, serving students in Alhambra, Pasadena, Monterey Park, El Monte, West Covina, Long Beach, Rosemead, and throughout Los Angeles County.

Orange County Campus - Irvine
2041 Business Center Drive
Irvine, CA 92612

Los Angeles Campus - Alhambra
2215 West Mission Road
Alhambra, CA 91803