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

Programmatic Feedback

Program Outcomes

1. Produce safe, competent, caring, graduates who possess entry-level skills as evidenced by successful completion of all PTA courses as per grade policy. 
2. Graduation rate/Retention rate: > 60% of students admitted to program will graduate within 3 years (150%) (averaged over 2 years).  Students who leave the program for other than academic reasons are not counted in this calculation.
3. Ultimate passing rate of national exam: For those graduates who choose to take the Physical Therapist Assistant national examination, > 85% will pass the exam (averaged over 2 years).
4. Employment rate: > 90% of the graduates (averaged over 2 years) who seek employment as a physical therapist assistant will obtain a position that they are interested in within six months of passing the national PTA examination.

PTA Program Outcomes April-2026 (PDF)

Graduate Goals

1. Safe & Ethical Practice

1. Consistently demonstrate and implement appropriate utilization of the PTA in the application of the established treatment plan as directed by the PTA.
2. Consistently abide by the Code of Ethics for the Profession of Physical Therapy and the Standards of Practice for Physical Therapy
3. Consistently demonstrate sensitivity to individual and cultural differences in accordance with the Code of Ethics for the Profession of Physical Therapy
4. Abide by the guidelines set forth in the Practice Acts of the states in which they choose to practice.

5. Consistently demonstrate competence, critical thinking, and skill in data collection and interventions during the implementation of the established treatment plan as directed by the PT.
6. Consistently demonstrate competence in communication with the supervision physical therapist regarding patient progress and possible need for treatment modification in accordance with the established treatment plan as directed by the PT.
7. Consistently execute timely and accurate documentation that justifies medical necessity and assign appropriate billing codes that accurately reflect treatment.
8. Integrate information obtained from professional literature into clinical practice within the guidelines of the established treatment plan as directed by the PT.

9. Consistently demonstrate professional behavior, diverse teaching techniques, and excellent interpersonal communication with patients and their families while providing support to diverse populations.
10. Maintain continued academic growth by seeking out continuing education opportunities of interest that serve the patient population of their employer and keep the graduate in compliance with the Practice Act of the state(s) in which they are licensed.

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