Physical Therapist Assistant

Overview

The Physical Therapist Assistant program is now  accepting applications for Fall 2026.  Please consider enrolling in the Healthcare Applications Pre-PTA program to begin classes right away.

Our PTA program is the only one in New Hampshire and Vermont!  Our graduates consistently perform above the national average and are employed within six months of graduation.  We offer a friendly, student-centered environment. Please be sure to read through the following documents and submit the PTA Packet to your application portal once complete.

PTA Program Admissions Packet 2026 (PDF) .

RVCC 2025-2026 PTA Program Handbook (PDF)

RVCC_PTA Program Financial Fact Sheet 2024-2025 (PDF)
*please note that as of Fall 2025, tuition costs have increased; for the most recent information, please visit the following link: Current RVCC Tuition and Fees
This is an estimate and will be updated with the current tuition that went into effect in July, 2025.

To contact the program/institution directly, please call (603) 542-7744 extension 5434 or email Program Director Dr. Kim-Laura Boyle at [email protected].

Career Options

There are a variety of job settings for the PTA including hospitals, out-patient PT clinics, rehabilitation centers, skilled nursing facilities, home health and pediatrics.

Related Degrees  

• Occupational Therapy Assistant
• Massage Therapy

Printable Program Sheet

Programmatic Feedback

The RVCC PTA program welcomes feedback about our program.  Compliments and complaints can be provided via the attached link.  Complaints submitted via this webform are directed to the Program Director who will manage the complaint per program and college policy and in consultation with the Vice President of Student and Academic Affairs (VPASA) as needed.  Complaints about the program director are managed by the VPASA

PTA Compliment and Complaint form

Program Goals

Upon employment, graduates shall:

• consistently demonstrate and implement appropriate role utilization of the physical therapist assistant in the application of established treatment interventions as directed by the primary physical therapist.
• consistently demonstrate sensitivity to individual and cultural differences in accordance with the Standards of Ethical Conduct for the PTA in an effort to assure safe and proper conduct for all interactions within the profession.
• consistently demonstrate the Standards of Practice for PTAs in an effort to assure safe and proper conduct for all interactions within the profession.
• consistently demonstrate competence, critical thinking and skill in the timely implementation of a comprehensive treatment plan as developed by their supervising physical therapist(s)
• consistently demonstrate competence while regularly reporting to, and communicating with, supervising physical therapists regarding patient progress and treatment modifications in accordance with changes in patient status.
• consistently demonstrate competence in data collection procedures, integrating the findings of such procedures to the patient’s plan of care.
• consistently demonstrate professional behavior during interactions and teaching with healthcare professionals, patients, and their families while providing the desired psycho-social support among diverse populations.
• consistently perform effective and accurate written and verbal communication skills in documenting the relevant aspects of patient care, including patient response and progress.
• integrate information obtained from professional literature review into clinical practice as evidenced-based practitioners of physical therapy.
• practice as entry-level physical therapist assistants who exhibit continued growth as professionals throughout their careers.

Program Outcomes

PTA Program Outcomes Fall 2025 (PDF)

The Physical Therapist Assistant program at River Valley Community College 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. 

To contact the program/institution directly, please call (603) 542-7744 extension 5434 or email Program Director Dr. Kim-Laura Boyle at [email protected].

PTA Requirements

• SAT scores if high school graduate in the past three years
• High school transcript or GED

• College Transcript showing successful completion of college level English or Math courses.

• Transcript showing high school chemistry within the past ten years with a grade of D- or better.
• Transcript showing College Chemistry with a grade of D- or better
• Transcript showing College Human Biology course with a grade of D- or better
• Transcript showing College Anatomy & Physiology 1 passed with a D- or higher (grades of a C or higher may be eligible for transfer)
• Completion of the RVCC A&P1 Prep Course with a 90% or better

• SAT mathematics score > 450 if graduated within the past 3 years
• College transcript showing proof of one of the following:
  • Preparatory Mathematics course passed with a C or higher
  • College mathematics course passed with a D- or higher (Statistics courses passed with a C or better may be eligible for transfer)
• If none of the above are available, students must complete the Mathematics Self-Assessment in the application packet

• Essential Skills/Technical Standards information page signed
• Criminal/Background Check and Drug Testing Attestation signed
• NH Licensing Information Disclosure signed
• Clinical Education Policy Overview page signed
• Clinical Education and Accommodations signed
• Transfer of Credit Policy completed and signed
• Program Orientation Policy reviewed and signed
• PTA Program of Study acknowledgement reviewed and signed
• PTA Program Supplemental Questionnaire completed