Shape the Future of Movement
Are you interested in the field of physical therapy? Take the first step in your journey toward becoming a skilled healthcare professional in the two-year Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) program. Over six semesters, gain hands-on experience to prepare you for a rewarding career in patient-centered care.
Want to learn more?
Email UsPrefer to chat? Call us!
Program Information
The mission of the Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) program is to prepare graduates
through a contemporary and interactive curriculum to obtain the skills and character
to positively affect their community as entry-level physical therapist assistants
working under the direction and supervision of a licensed physical therapist.
The Physical Therapist Assistant program at Collin College is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE). They may be contacted at:
Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE)
3030 Potomac Ave., Suite 100
Alexandria, Virginia 22305-3085
Phone: 703.706.3245
Email: accreditation@apta.org
Visit the CAPTE website to learn more.
The program offers an Associate of Applied Science in Physical Therapist Assistant. Visit the Physical Therapist Assistant, AAS academic page to see the course sequence.
View the AAS - Physical Therapist Assistant
View the program information sheet to learn about being a Physical Therapist Assistant.
The PTA program includes a selective admission process. Only one cohort made up of 24 students is formed per year out of an expected 75-125 applications.
In order to apply for the PTA program, you must:
- Apply and be admitted to Collin
- Attend a PTA Zoom information session
Admission to the program is based on a scoring rubric covering the following categories:
- Three letters of recommendation
- Observation hours
- Prerequisite GPA
- Program admission test
- Previous degree(s)
- Completion of Rehab Aide Program
- Interview
- Writing Activity
Contact the PTA Program Director, Michael Cox, if you have any questions about the selective admission process.
Costs are estimated and subject to change. Visit the Tuition and Fees page for more information. View the Physical Therapists Assistant Program Financial Fact Sheet for important financial information.
| Estimated Program Costs | In-District Collin County ($67/credit hour) | Texas Resident, Outside of Collin County ($127/credit hour) | Out of State/Country ($202/per credit hour) | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition* |
$4,422 |
$8,832 | $13,332 | ||||||
| Lab Fees | $264 | $264 | $264 | ||||||
| Textbooks | $1,335 | $1,335 | $1,335 | ||||||
| PTA Scrubs | $65 | $65 | $65 | ||||||
| PTA Program Polo | $52 | $52 | $52 | ||||||
| Drug Screen | $29 | $29 | $29 | ||||||
| Background Screen | $60 | $60 | $60 | ||||||
| Exxat Immunization Tracker | $35 | $35 | $35 | ||||||
| Liability Insurance | $11 | $11 | $11 | ||||||
| Exxat Steps Program | $200 | $200 | $200 | ||||||
| PTA eMACS | $25 | $25 | $25 | ||||||
| Scorebuilders | $130 | $130 | $130 | ||||||
| Physio-U | $189 | $189 | $189 | ||||||
| APTA Dues | $90 | $90 | $90 | ||||||
| Total Estimated Cost | $6,907 | $11,317 | $15,817 | ||||||
|
*Includes tuition and student activity fee |
|||||||||
Physical Therapist Assistant students must be able to perform essential functions during participation in the PTA program, while on clinical, and on the job following graduation. Standards have been adopted to provide safety and quality of care for patients. Visit the Physical Therapist Essential Functions page for detailed information.
View Essential Functions
| Graduation Rates | First-Time Licensure Pass Rate | Ultimate Licensure Passage Rate | Employment Rate | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | |||||||||
| 88% | 100% | 100% | 100% | ||||||
| 2026 | |||||||||
| 86% | 100% | 100% | 100% | ||||||
| Two-Year Average | |||||||||
| 86% | 100% | 100% | 100% | ||||||
View the Physical Therapist Assistant Program Student Policy and Procedure Manual to review important student information.
The PTA Program is located on the Frisco Campus in the Health Sciences Lab.
9700 Wade Blvd.
Frisco, TX 75035
View Frisco Campus Map
Questions? Contact PTA Program Director Michael Cox at mcox@collin.edu or 972.549.6319.
PTA Admission Requirements
The first step in the process is to apply and be admitted to Collin College.
Apply to Collin CollegeBefore applying to the PTA program, prospective applicants must attend a Zoom information session. Choose one of the following dates to register for a session. Each session is 45 minutes long. New information sessions will begin in September of each year.
2026-2027 Information Sessions:
Prerequisite Requirements
- BIOL 2401 - Anatomy and Physiology I*
- ENGL 1301 - Composition I
- PTHA 1409 - Introduction to Physical Therapy
One additional point will be added on the scoring rubric if the applicant has taken a Medical Terminology course or a Human Medical Pathophysiology course with transcript proof.
*Completed within the last five years of the date of application
View the Prerequisite RequirementsApplicants are required to take the program’s admission test. The overall score on the test will be counted on the Scoring Rubric. The test is based on the PTHA 1409 - Introduction to Physical Therapy prerequisite course and consists of 50 multiple-choice questions. The test can only be taken once per application cycle. Students will learn the procedure for taking the test as part of the Information Session and can only take the test after attending an Information Session.
Complete the PTA Application and all required forms. Refer to the Application Checklist to ensure all items are included.
PTA ApplicationPrerequisite Form
PTA Facility Experience Form
PTA Recommendation Form
- Observation, volunteer, and work hours are accepted
- Minimum of 20 hours required
- Up to 40 hours may be submitted for additional points
- Hours must be from two different entities with 10 hours minimum from each
- A supervising physical therapist or physical therapist assistant must verify your hours by signing the form
- Place the form in a standard mailing envelope and seal the envelope
- Supervising PT/PTA must sign the outside of the envelope across the seal
- Place in application packet envelope and submit with the application
- Proof of working as a PT aide/technician for greater than or equal to three months will be worth one additional point of the Scoring Rubric. The work experience forms must reflect the work as an aide/technician to receive the point.
- Three recommendations are required: two from a PT/PTA and one from your PTHA 1409 instructor
- Recommender must be the one who completes the PTA Recommendation Form
- Place the form in a standard mailing envelope and seal the envelope
- Recommender must sign the outside of the envelope across the seal
- Place in application packet envelope and submit with the application
Submit your transcripts to Collin College. Visit the Transcripts page for more information.
View Transcripts InformationPTA Important Dates:
- Application opens: January 15, 2027
- Deadline to submit application and all required forms: April 15, 2027 (Late documents will not be accepted.)
- Interviews: April 21-May 23, 2027
- Notification of Acceptance: May 31, 2027
- Classes begin: August 2027
Applications can be submitted in person or mailed. If mailing your application, be sure to purchase delivery tracking. The program is not responsible for applications not received or missing documents and will not consider incomplete applications.
Place all the application documents and forms in a 10"x13" manila envelope. Be sure and include the required PTA Facility Experience Forms and PTA Recommendation Forms in the sealed and signed envelopes along with all other required documents.
Either mail or hand deliver to the following address:
ATTN: PTA Program
Office LC #102 (PTA Lab)
9700 Wade Boulevard
Frisco, Texas 75035
PTA Application ChecklistThe first step in the process is to apply and be admitted to Collin College.
Apply to Collin CollegeContinue to Next Step
Before applying to the PTA program, prospective applicants must attend a Zoom information session. Choose one of the following dates to register for a session. Each session is 45 minutes long. New information sessions will begin in September of each year.
2026-2027 Information Sessions:
- Thursday, Sept. 24, 2026, 7–8 p.m.
- Monday, Oct. 19, 2026, Noon–1 p.m.
- Tuesday, Nov. 24, 2026, 3-4 p.m.
- Wednesday, Dec. 16, 2026, 7-8 p.m.
- Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2027, 7-8 p.m.
- Thursday, Feb. 11, 2027, 8-9 p.m.
Continue to Next Step
Prerequisite Requirements
- BIOL 2401 - Anatomy and Physiology I*
- ENGL 1301 - Composition I
- PTHA 1409 - Introduction to Physical Therapy
One additional point will be added on the scoring rubric if the applicant has taken a Medical Terminology course or a Human Medical Pathophysiology course with transcript proof.
*Completed within the last five years of the date of application
View the Prerequisite RequirementsContinue to Next Step
Applicants are required to take the program’s admission test. The overall score on the test will be counted on the Scoring Rubric. The test is based on the PTHA 1409 - Introduction to Physical Therapy prerequisite course and consists of 50 multiple-choice questions. The test can only be taken once per application cycle. Students will learn the procedure for taking the test as part of the Information Session and can only take the test after attending an Information Session.
Continue to Next Step
Complete the PTA Application and all required forms. Refer to the Application Checklist to ensure all items are included.
PTA ApplicationPrerequisite Form
PTA Facility Experience Form
PTA Recommendation Form
Continue to Next Step
- Observation, volunteer, and work hours are accepted
- Minimum of 20 hours required
- Up to 40 hours may be submitted for additional points
- Hours must be from two different entities with 10 hours minimum from each
- A supervising physical therapist or physical therapist assistant must verify your hours by signing the form
- Place the form in a standard mailing envelope and seal the envelope
- Supervising PT/PTA must sign the outside of the envelope across the seal
- Place in application packet envelope and submit with the application
- Proof of working as a PT aide/technician for greater than or equal to three months will be worth one additional point of the Scoring Rubric. The work experience forms must reflect the work as an aide/technician to receive the point.
Continue to Next Step
- Three recommendations are required: two from a PT/PTA and one from your PTHA 1409 instructor
- Recommender must be the one who completes the PTA Recommendation Form
- Place the form in a standard mailing envelope and seal the envelope
- Recommender must sign the outside of the envelope across the seal
- Place in application packet envelope and submit with the application
Continue to Next Step
Submit your transcripts to Collin College. Visit the Transcripts page for more information.
View Transcripts InformationContinue to Next Step
PTA Important Dates:
- Application opens: January 15, 2027
- Deadline to submit application and all required forms: April 15, 2027 (Late documents will not be accepted.)
- Interviews: April 21-May 23, 2027
- Notification of Acceptance: May 31, 2027
- Classes begin: August 2027
Applications can be submitted in person or mailed. If mailing your application, be sure to purchase delivery tracking. The program is not responsible for applications not received or missing documents and will not consider incomplete applications.
Place all the application documents and forms in a 10"x13" manila envelope. Be sure and include the required PTA Facility Experience Forms and PTA Recommendation Forms in the sealed and signed envelopes along with all other required documents.
Either mail or hand deliver to the following address:
ATTN: PTA Program
Office LC #102 (PTA Lab)
9700 Wade Boulevard
Frisco, Texas 75035
PTA Application ChecklistJob Outlook
Want to know where this career can take you? Discover the path to a rewarding career as a Physical Therapist Assistant by exploring the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) career site, and visiting the Occupational Outlook Handbook for insights into job growth and future opportunities.
Faculty/Staff Contacts
Contact us for more information about the PTA program.
Administrative Assistant
Lynne Bensten
Email: lbensten@collin.edu
Phone: 972.377.1667
Program Director
Michael Cox, PT, DPT, MBA
Email: mcox@collin.edu
Phone: 972.549.6319
Director of Clinical Education (DCE)/Faculty
Michele Valencia, PT, DPT
Email: mvalencia@collin.edu
Phone: 972.553.1135
Professor
Related Links
Launch your career with confidence
Jump-start your career in the rehabilitation field with our two-semester Rehabilitation Aide Occupational Skills Program. This OSA is designed to equip you with the hands-on training and knowledge employers are looking for! Visit the Rehabilitation Aide page to get started.