Michigan’s School Physical Therapy Assistants (PTA)
Physical Therapy Assistants (PTA) are educated and licensed clinicians who provide care under the direction and supervision of a licensed physical therapist. PTAs implement components of patient care, obtain data related to the treatment provided, and collaborate with the physical therapist to modify care as necessary. As a team physical therapists and PTAs work to help people improve movement function.
Associations to Support You
Start Your Michigan School PTA
To join this amazing group of Special Educators you need:
Earn an Associate’s Degree in Physical Therapy.
To work as a physical therapist assistant in the United States, you must graduate from a Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education-accredited physical therapist assistant education program and pass a state-administered national exam to obtain licensure or certification required in most states.
The average length of a PTA program is typically two years (five semesters). Primary content areas in the curriculum may include, but are not limited to anatomy, physiology, exercise physiology, biomechanics, kinesiology, neuroscience, clinical pathology, behavioral sciences, communication, and ethics/values.
Approximately 75% of the PTA curriculum is classroom (didactic) and lab study and the remaining 25% is dedicated to clinical education. PTA students spend on average 16 weeks in full-time clinical education experiences.
Volunteer to Gain More Experience!
Get hands-on experience and find a classroom near you that is in need of a volunteer!
Job Shadow a Physical Therapist or Physical Therapy Assistant
To participate in a job shadow, reach out to a school district and request to job shadow for a day.
Each school district has their own policy when it comes to job shadowing, but you may need a state ID or a driver’s license to participate.
College Program Information
Click a point on the map to find degree programs, scholarships, grants, and organizations to join!
Michigan School PTA Educational Funding
Begin your journey as a physical therapist for free with the Community College Guarantee. This degree can lead to a fulfilling lifelong career or serve as a stepping stone toward a higher-level physical therapy degree!
Graduating high school seniors are eligible to earn a skill certificate or degree at their local community college tuition-free just by filling out the new and simplified FAFSA.
Free College Opportunities
Allows students to earn college credit (up to 10 courses) while in high school at no cost between 9th-12th grade. The classes that students are eligible for must not be offered by the high school or PSA and must lead towards postsecondary credit, accreditation, certification, and/or licensing.
How to apply – Students are to talk with their high school advisor on eligibility, application, deadlines, and college course options.
A Michigan Department of Education approved five-year program of study.
EMCs work closely with certain colleges to provide students with an opportunity earn a high school diploma and one or more of the following:
- 60 transferable college credits.
- An associate degree.
- A professional certification.
- The Michigan Early Middle College Association (MEMCA) technical certificate.
- Participation in a registered apprenticeship.
State Scholarships & Grants
Michigan Reconnect is a scholarship program that pays you to attend your in-district community college tuition free or pays up to the in-district rate if you attend a community college where you’re considered out-of-district. Applicants must be 25 years old to apply.
Thirteen Promise Zones have already begun awarding scholarships. Educators, businesses, families and civic leaders are also striving to embed a pervasive culture of learning in these communities – an essential ingredient in any recipe for education success.
Amount: $2,000 – $5,500
This award is intended to reward and empower students who are instrumental in advancing DEI in Michigan. An award will be given annually to a second-year Michigan physical therapy DPT or PTA student. Recipients of this scholarship will be recognized and given a check for $2500 at the APTA Michigan Fall Conference Awards Ceremony.
This scholarship is intended to reward and encourage PT students who exemplify the four core values of Orthopedic Rehab Specialists (ORS): respect, environment, accountability, and service.
This scholarship is intended to reward and encourage PT and PTA students who are already showing promise as practical clinicians.
As part of its role in supporting and encouraging research in the State of Michigan, the APTA Michigan Institute for Education and Research has a small research grant program that is intended to provide out-of-pocket expenses/seed money for either basic or clinical research related to physical therapy and to encourage the development of new projects.
This scholarship is intended to reward and encourage PT students who exemplify the four core values of Orthopedic Rehab Specialists (ORS): respect, environment, accountability, and service.
This scholarship is intended to reward and encourage PT and PTA students who are already showing promise as practical clinicians.
To support research in physical therapy clinical education in conjunction with the APTA Michigan Institute for Education and Research as charged in the APTA MI CEC Standing Rules.
As part of its role in supporting and encouraging research in the State of Michigan, the APTA Michigan Institute for Education and Research has a small research grant program that is intended to provide out-of-pocket expenses/seed money for either basic or clinical research related to physical therapy and to encourage the development of new projects.
Federal Scholarships & Grants
Colleges and career schools use the FAFSA form to determine how much financial aid you’re eligible to receive, which could include grants, scholarships, work-study funds, and loans.You must apply for aid every year.
The Federal Student Aid Estimator provides an estimate of how much federal student aid the student may be eligible to receive. These estimates are based on the Student Aid Index (SAI), an index to determine federal student aid eligibility.
Direct Subsidized Loans and Direct Unsubsidized Loans are federal student loans offered by the U.S. Department of Education (ED) to help eligible students cover the cost of higher education at a four-year college or university, community college, or trade, career, or technical school.
A federal grant for undergraduate students with financial need.
Direct PLUS loans can help pay for education expenses not covered by other financial aid. The U.S. Department of Education makes Direct PLUS Loans to eligible graduate or professional students through schools participating in the Direct Loan Program.
Grant for undergraduate students with exceptional financial need, administered directly by financial aid office at each participating school, not all schools participate
part-time employment while enrolled in school, available to undergrad, grad, and professional students with financial need, available to full and part-time students, administered by participating schools, emphasizes employment in civic education and work related to course of study or civic education, on or off campus
Amount: up to $4,000/year
