Physical Therapy Assistants
Physical Therapy Assistants
What Does a Physical Therapy Assistant Do?
A Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) helps deliver school-based physical therapy so students with disabilities can access their education and participate in school routines. The work ties directly to a student’s Individualized Education Program (IEP).
Under the direction and supervision of a licensed Physical Therapist (PT), a PTA commonly:
- Implements PT interventions written into the student’s plan (the PT sets the plan; the PTA carries out delegated parts).
- Builds functional mobility for school life, such as:
- walking and hallway navigation
- stairs, transitions between classes
- transfers (chair ↔ wheelchair, floor ↔ chair) and safe movement routines
A Physical Therapist Assistant helps students with disabilities move safely through the school day. They support walking, transfers, positioning, equipment use, and IEP goals under the direction of a licensed Physical Therapist.
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- Supports positioning and access in the classroom, including safe seating/standing routines that help the student engage in instruction and activities.
- Helps with mobility equipment use and carryover, like walkers, gait trainers, wheelchairs, or standing frames (often focused on fit/use checks and day-to-day function, while the PT handles clinical decisions).
- Coaches the school team (e.g., paraeducators, classroom staff, and families) on safe handling, movement supports, and consistent strategies across the school day.
- Collects data and documents progress toward IEP-related functional outcomes, then reports back to the PT so the PT can adjust services as needed.
Explore Careers as a Physical Therapist in Michigan
If you’re interested in supporting students with disabilities and building a meaningful career in education, becoming a school physical therapy assistant may be a strong fit.
OPTIMISE connects individuals with information, resources, and pathways to explore special education careers across Michigan.
Skills and Qualities of an Physical Therapy Assistant
A strong Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) in K–12 schools helps students build functional mobility for the school day—safely and consistently—under the direction and supervision of a licensed Physical Therapist (PT).
- Student-centered communication: uses clear, kid-friendly coaching, builds trust, and communicates effectively with families and school teams.
- Carryover + coaching: reinforces strategies across real school settings (classroom, hallway, stairs, playground) and helps staff implement supports consistently.
- Safety-first mobility/handling: strong guarding, transfer support, and fall-prevention awareness in busy school environments; knows when to pause and alert the PT.
- IEP-aligned documentation: tracks functional progress and writes clear, objective notes that help the PT and IEP team adjust supports.
- Teamwork + adaptability: collaborates smoothly with paraeducators and related-service Partners and adjusts to changing schedules and routines.
Education and Training Requirements for Physical Therapy Assistant
To become a Michigan Physical Therapy Assistant, you will need:
- HS diploma / GED
- Graduate from a CAPTE-accredited PTA Associate Degree program
- Submit your Michigan application in MiPLUS (LARA) (this is the state licensure application step)
- Register and pay for the NPTE-PTA through FSBPT
- Pass the NPTE-PTA + pass the Michigan PTA Jurisprudence Exam
Michigan Physical Therapist Degree Programs
Click a orange pin to pursue an advanced career.
Financial Resources to Pursue a Physical Therapy Assistant Degree
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.
Michigan Scholarships & Grants
Michigan Reconnect Program
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.
High School Graduate Michigan Achievement Scholarship
Amount: $2,000 – $5,500
Michigan Promise Zones
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.Â
APTA Scholarships & Grants
The APTA Michigan Institute for Education and Research was created by the APTA Michigan Board of Directors to provide a tax sheltered non-profit entity to promote research and education related to physical therapy in the State of Michigan. Annually scholarships, research grants, and awards are given out by the institute to encourage research and the continuation of the physical therapy profession.
Federal Scholarships & Grants
File Your FAFSA
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.
Federal Student Aid Estimator
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.
Subsidized/Un-Subsidized Loans
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.
Pell Grant
A federal grant for undergraduate students with financial need.
Teacher Loan Forgiveness*
Amount: up to $17,500
Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)*
If you’re employed by a government or not-for-profit organization, you might be eligible for the PSLF Program. The PSLF Program forgives the remaining balance on your Direct Loans
*Borrowers can’t receive credit toward TLF and Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) for the same period of service. That means, if you seek and receive TLF, the five-year period of service that supported your eligibility will NOT count toward PSLF. We recommend that you consider whether you’re interested in PSLF before deciding to pursue TLF, because we can’t make changes once you receive forgiveness.
Graduate or Professional Direct PLUS Loan
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.
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)
Grant for undergraduate students with exceptional financial need, administered directly by financial aid office at each participating school, not all schools participate
Federal Work-Study
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