10 Best Hybrid PTA Programs in 2025

You can begin a rewarding career as a physical therapy assistant (PTA) by completing your education through one of several hybrid physical therapy assistant programs. These offer a student-friendly blend of on-campus and online courses to cover general education and clinical education requirements. We'll introduce you to this with a list of 10 hybrid degree programs for students seeking an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in physical therapy.

What Is a Hybrid Physical Therapist Assistant Program?

A hybrid PTA program is an instruction method that permits PTA students to split their coursework between hands-on, in-person learning and online lectures. These hybrid PTA degrees come from reputable and accredited community colleges and other institutions. It's a great way to begin a successful healthcare career for working adults or anyone who cannot travel to campus every day for classes.

Top 10 Hybrid PTA Degrees

Here is a list of 10 schools with online physical therapy assistant programs. These offer a hybrid of online and in-person learning.

1. American Career College

American Career College features a blend of in-person and online training throughout a 20-month program, featuring about 600 clinical hours. This program prepares candidates to become licensed physical therapists in California with extensive training in patient evaluation, treatment plan development, and other functional skills at various clinical sites.

• Estimated tuition cost: $56,400 (total program cost)
• Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) and the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA)

2. Jefferson State Community College

Jefferson State Community College offers much program flexibility by allowing students to enroll in either an on-campus or online track. It trains PTA students in the evidence-based methods for treating orthopedic issues, neurological difficulties, and assisting patients with difficult disabilities.

The cost-per-credit hour is competitive compared to many other schools, and students can offset costs even further by exploring the PTA program's financial aid options.

• Estimated tuition cost: $168 per credit hour
• Accreditation: CAPTE

3. Great Falls College

Great Falls College has an AAS program, which takes only three semesters to finish while providing thorough instruction through face-to-face courses and pre-recorded online lectures. Some labs and lectures require you to meet in person, but Great Falls tries to make as much of the content available online as possible.

The admissions requirements include a list of prerequisite courses, where applicants must earn at least a grade of C to qualify.

• Estimated tuition cost: $20,530 (total program costs)
• Accreditation: CAPTE

4. Mendocino College

Mendocino College refers to its PTA degree as a ''mostly online, commuter-friendly, hybrid program.'' It boasts a solid 97.5% graduation rate, a 100% employment rate, and an 88% pass rate for state licensure exams. You can apply for admission by completing the school's program application online, but be aware that the school only accepts 24 new students each year (plus a wait list of 10 applicants).

• Estimated tuition cost: $46 per credit hour
• Accreditation: CAPTE

5. Delta College

Delta College has a blended learning format for its PTA program, consisting of seven semesters of 75.5 credit hours. Its application process begins with completing prerequisite courses, followed by a clinical validation, before students can enroll in technical or clinical coursework.

Upon successful completion of the program, students will possess the necessary skills and knowledge to perform appropriate technical tasks as therapists, apply critical thinking, and communicate effectively with other healthcare professionals.

• Estimated tuition cost: $136 per credit hour
• Accreditation: CAPTE

6. Clark State College

Clark State College's PTA program takes about three semesters to finish and has very affordable tuition rates for this field. Clark State trains students in clinical settings and through online coursework, where it covers many of the essential legal aspects of practicing physical therapy in Virginia.

Qualified applicants must possess at least a 2.5 GPA (overall and in science classes) for admission into this program.

• Estimated tuition cost: $175.33 per credit hour
• Accreditation: CAPTE

7. Miami Dade College

Miami Dade College has a hybrid associate degree for prospective PTAs, including valuable internship experiences. Students will gain broad exposure to several core areas of the field, such as orthopedics, wound care, neurology, pediatrics, and patient care services.

All prospective students must be at least 18 years old, possess a high school diploma or GED, and earn a cumulative GPA of 2.75 in PTA prerequisite courses for program admission.

• Estimated tuition cost: $8,748.28 (total program cost)
• Accreditation: CAPTE

8. Rasmussen College

Rasmussen College has an 18-month PTA program delivered through both online and in-person instruction. This program is available to students who reside near one of its two medical campuses in Florida or Minnesota. Students can expect to gain a well-rounded PTA training experience with a special emphasis on teamwork among various healthcare professionals.

• Estimated tuition cost: $30,514 (total program cost)
• Accreditation: CAPTE

9. Clarkson College

Clarkson College offers a hybrid of clinical rotations and online instruction for its Associate of Science in Physical Therapy Assistant. It also provides ways to pursue the degree part-time or full-time through either a 24-month or 16-month program. Coursework includes important PTA subjects, such as therapeutic interventions, therapeutic exercise, advanced procedures, therapeutic modalities, and at least one clinical practicum.

• Estimated tuition cost: $691 per credit hour
• Accreditation: CAPTE

10. San Juan College

San Juan College allows students to select either an in-person track or a hybrid/online degree. These options exist for first-time job seekers, anyone looking to upgrade their physical therapy skills, or for working adults who desire a career change.

Enrolled students gain valuable knowledge and experience working at the college's procedural labs, simulation center, and health and human performance center.

• Estimated tuition cost: $615 per credit hour
• Accreditation: CAPTE

FAQs About Hybrid PTA Schools

Check out these five frequently asked questions (FAQs) about hybrid PTA programs. This covers topics like earning potential, job prospects, coursework difficulty, and other expectations.

What Kind of PTAs Make the Most Money?

The highest-paid PTAs are those who are willing to travel to fill vacancies at medical centers and assisted-living facilities. There's also a growing demand for home healthcare PTAs, who provide patient care at a patient's residence. As of 2024, the average PTA salary is about $60,000 in the United States, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

Are PTAs Being Phased Out?

No, there is very high demand for PTAs right now. The BLS estimates a 19% growth in these jobs between 2023 and 2033. While some PTA roles are changing with new emphases on similar health professions (i.e., occupational therapy), there is still plenty of need for full-time licensed PTAs for acute care, outpatient care, assisted living care, and at skilled nursing facilities.

Is PTA School Harder Than Nursing?

Nursing school has a reputation for being a little more difficult than PTA school, but this varies depending on where you enroll. Both healthcare professions require rigorous study, professional development and licensing, extensive clinical experience, familiarity with detailed medical terminology, and strong people skills.

Finally, the difficulty of either path will depend on how far you take your education. If you choose to earn a Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy, the education courses will be more challenging than lower-division courses at a community college.

What Can I Expect From an Online Associate PTA Degree?

The online components will include general education courses and some introductory PTA topics, like human anatomy, kinesiology, and other health sciences. Once you advance in your program, you will do more on-site modalities to learn how to provide treatment plans or apply therapeutic exercise protocols for patients.

This shows you what you can expect in the real world, while preparing you for the licensure exam, and eventually landing a job as an entry-level physical therapist assistant.

What Courses Are Typically in an Online Associate in PTA Program?

PTA students take courses in several subjects, including kinesiology, human anatomy and physiology, clinical pathology, and exercise physiology. There is plenty of overlap between PTA programs and what students encounter in nursing school or occupational therapy programs. Many PTA schools also expect students to have completed prerequisite courses prior to admission.

Discover More Online Physical Therapist Degrees

Learn.org can help you plan your entire education process by identifying convenient and effective online degree programs. You can use our resources to find accredited associate degrees, bachelor's degrees, professional licensure programs, and more.