Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
Staff physical therapy assistant education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become a staff physical therapy assistant. Staff physical therapy assistants usually study physical therapy, medical assisting services, or kinesiology. 47% of staff physical therapy assistants hold a associate degree, and 37% hold an bachelor's degree. We analyzed 4,357 real staff physical therapy assistant resumes to see exactly what staff physical therapy assistant education sections show.
The most common colleges for staff physical therapy assistants are the Pennsylvania State University and the Pennsylvania State University.
There are also many online staff physical therapy assistant courses to help get the education required to be a staff physical therapy assistant.
There are certain staff physical therapy assistant certifications that you should consider. These staff physical therapy assistant certifications include Medical Assistant and Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA).
What education do you need to become a staff physical therapy assistant?
What degree do you need to be a staff physical therapy assistant?
- Associate, 47%
- Bachelor's, 37%
- High School Diploma, 5%
- Master's, 4%
- Other Degrees, 7%
What should I major in to become a staff physical therapy assistant?
- Physical Therapy, 34%
- Kinesiology, 10%
- Biology, 4%
- Other Majors, 28%
Most common colleges for staff physical therapy assistants
| Staff physical therapy assistant common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| Pennsylvania State University | 9.66% |
| South University | 9.66% |
| Newbury College | 9.18% |
| Kent State University | 7.73% |
| Pima Medical Institute | 6.76% |
Best majors for staff physical therapy assistants
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Physical Therapy | 34.0% |
| 2 | Medical Assisting Services | 23.8% |
| 3 | Kinesiology | 10.2% |
| 4 | Biology | 3.8% |
| 5 | Business | 3.6% |
Best colleges for staff physical therapy assistants
The best colleges for staff physical therapy assistants are University of Virginia, New York University, and Case Western Reserve University.
A staff physical therapy assistant with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for staff physical therapy assistants. We based this list on several metrics: admissions rate, retention rate, mean earnings of graduates, the ratio of working vs. non-working students ten years after admission, the average cost of attendance, and median debt for graduates who become staff physical therapy assistants.
1. University of Virginia
Charlottesville, VA • Private
In-state tuition
$17,653
Enrollment
16,405
2. Emory University
Atlanta, GA • Private
In-state tuition
$51,306
Enrollment
6,975
3. Kettering College
Kettering, OH • Private
In-state tuition
$12,960
Enrollment
610
4. Case Western Reserve University
Cleveland, OH • Private
In-state tuition
$49,042
Enrollment
5,131
5. University of Connecticut
Storrs, CT • Private
In-state tuition
$15,730
Enrollment
18,830
6. New York University
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$51,828
Enrollment
26,339
7. Maria College of Albany
Albany, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$15,140
Enrollment
876
8. Clarkson College
Omaha, NE • Private
In-state tuition
$13,392
Enrollment
646
9. Jefferson College of Health Sciences
Roanoke, VA • Private
In-state tuition
$26,886
Enrollment
774
10. Purdue University
West Lafayette, IN • Private
In-state tuition
$9,992
Enrollment
33,495
20 best online courses for staff physical therapy assistants
Advertising disclosure
1. Prehospital care of acute stroke and patient selection for endovascular treatment using the RACE scale
Acute stroke is a time-dependent medical emergency. In acute ischemic stroke, the first objective is to restore brain flow using sistemic thrombolytic treatment and, in patients with large vessel occlusion, by endovascular treatment. In hemorrhagic stroke there are also specific treatments that can improve the clinical outcome. The sooner the initiation of all these therapies the higher the clinical benefit. Thus, the organization of Stroke Code systems coordinated between emergency medical...
2. Introduction to Integrative Therapies and Healing Practices
This introductory course provides a framework for incorporating integrative therapies into your work with clients or patients. By the end of the course, you will be able to assess if integrative therapies are good options in specific situations, as well as educate patients and colleagues about benefits and risks. You will be confident discussing the evidence base for integrative therapies in general, with an understanding of some of the challenges of research in this area, and able to identify...
3. Colombian Wood Therapy Course - Maderoterapia
Learn how to use Colombian Wood Therapy to help your clients reduce cellulite and melt fat...
4. Massage Therapy
Massage Therapy Course 101...
5. Deep Tissue Massage: Neuromuscular Therapy Certificate
Neuromuscular Therapy is a highly effective form of Deep Tissue Massage for pain relief (2 CEUs)...
6. Professional Cupping Therapy Massage Certificate Course 4 CE
Learn Cupping Therapy Massage Today to Treat Your Own Pains, Your Friends, Family Or Massage Clients Effortlessly!...
7. Internationally Accredited Certificate in Art Therapy
Therapeutic Art Therapy Course / Masterclass for Healing and Life Coaching...
8. Art Therapy: Art Therapy Exercises For Healing In Life
35 Art Therapy exercises for life happiness & stress management. Art therapy with paintings, art & affirmations...
9. Professional Cupping Therapy & Massage
Professional and comprehensive course of cupping techniques and applications...
10. Introduction to CBT: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Online Counselling & Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) Training Course...
11. Sound Therapy Full Certification Course
Become a holistic professional who knows both Western and Eastern approaches to Sound Therapy!...
12. Deep Tissue Massage: Trigger Point Therapy Certificate
Deep Tissue Trigger Point Massage Therapy is a proven approach for the relief of soft-tissue pain and dysfunction (2CEU)...
13. Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT): The Complete Course
Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)...
14. CBT: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy For Therapists & Coaches
Comprehensive CBT Therapy Training Cognitive Behavior Therapy Practitioner Level Treat Anxiety, Depression & More...
15. Colour Therapy Practitioner Certification
Learn to use the power of colour to promote health and wellbeing...
16. Oxford Diploma: Art Therapy:create books; run (4) workshops!
All you need to a) create a book and b) run FOUR Art Therapy workshops (including the Art Therapy exercises)!...
17. (Oxford) Diploma in Art Therapy (Extended Master Course)
Art Therapy : detailed (116 hours) course to help: interpret, express and resolve emotions - in detail...
18. Art Therapy: Personal Development and Self Healing with Art
Arts Therapy heals ! Improve your Mental Health with 30 Art Therapy Exercises ...
19. Introduction to Solution Focused Therapy
Learn Solution Focused Therapy To Empower Clients & Improve Outcomes Ideal For Social Workers, Coaches & Therapists...
20. Bowen Therapy NO MASSAGE Healing Certificate Course (8CEU)
An incredible NO MASSAGE remedial therapy for massage therapists or anyone else that wants to learn how to heal people...
Top 10 most affordable universities for staff physical therapy assistants
The most affordable schools for staff physical therapy assistants are SUNY Farmingdale, purdue university, and louisiana state university at alexandria.
If the best universities for staff physical therapy assistants are out of your price range, check out these affordable schools. After factoring in in-state tuition and fees, the average cost of attendance, admissions rate, average net price, and mean earnings after six years, we found that these are the most affordable schools for staff physical therapy assistants.
1. SUNY Farmingdale
Farmingdale, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$8,306
Cost of attendance
16,091
2. Purdue University
West Lafayette, IN • Private
In-state tuition
$9,992
Cost of attendance
22,430
3. Louisiana State University at Alexandria
Alexandria, LA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,668
Cost of attendance
14,488
4. Hunter College of the City University of New York
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,182
Cost of attendance
13,998
5. Brigham Young University
Provo, UT • Private
In-state tuition
$5,620
Cost of attendance
18,136
6. Midwestern State University
Wichita Falls, TX • Private
In-state tuition
$9,233
Cost of attendance
18,110
7. Inter American University of Puerto Rico Arecibo
Arecibo, PR • Private
In-state tuition
$5,872
Cost of attendance
13,476
8. Inter American University of Puerto Rico Ponce
Mercedita, PR • Private
In-state tuition
$5,914
Cost of attendance
13,564
9. University of Colorado Denver
Denver, CO • Private
In-state tuition
$9,283
Cost of attendance
22,243
10. Inter American University of Puerto Rico Bayamon
Bayamon, PR • Private
In-state tuition
$5,940
Cost of attendance
13,508
Top 10 hardest universities to get into for staff physical therapy assistants
The hardest universities for staff physical therapy assistants to get into are University of Virginia, New York University, and Case Western Reserve University.
Some great schools for staff physical therapy assistants are hard to get into, but they also set your career up for greater success. The list below shows the most challenging universities to get into for staff physical therapy assistants based on an institution's admissions rates, average SAT scores accepted, median ACT scores accepted, and mean earnings of students six years after admission.
1. University of Virginia
Charlottesville, VA • Private
Admissions rate
26%
SAT average
1,427
2. New York University
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
20%
SAT average
1,419
3. Case Western Reserve University
Cleveland, OH • Private
Admissions rate
29%
SAT average
1,443
4. Emory University
Atlanta, GA • Private
Admissions rate
19%
SAT average
1,449
5. Purdue University
West Lafayette, IN • Private
Admissions rate
58%
SAT average
1,309
6. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,508
7. University of Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, PA • Private
Admissions rate
59%
SAT average
1,367
8. Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN • Private
Admissions rate
10%
SAT average
1,514
9. University of Rochester
Rochester, NY • Private
Admissions rate
29%
SAT average
1,422
10. Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
New Brunswick, NJ • Private
Admissions rate
60%
SAT average
1,303
Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for staff physical therapy assistants
The easiest schools for staff physical therapy assistants to get into are AdventHealth University, university of the incarnate word, and pennsylvania state university - shenango.
Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a staff physical therapy assistant without much hassle, check out the list of schools where you will be accepted in no time. We compiled admissions rates, average SAT scores, average ACT scores, and average salary of students six years after graduation to uncover which were the easiest schools to get into for staff physical therapy assistants.
1. AdventHealth University
Orlando, FL • Private
Admissions rate
87%
SAT average
1,016
2. University of the Incarnate Word
San Antonio, TX • Private
Admissions rate
88%
SAT average
1,044
3. Pennsylvania State University - Shenango
Sharon, PA • Private
Admissions rate
75%
SAT average
989
4. Pennsylvania State University - Fayette (The Eberly Campus)
Lemont Furnace, PA • Private
Admissions rate
80%
SAT average
1,067
5. D'Youville College
Buffalo, NY • Private
Admissions rate
100%
SAT average
1,072
6. Midwestern State University
Wichita Falls, TX • Private
Admissions rate
71%
SAT average
1,033
7. Presentation College
Aberdeen, SD • Private
Admissions rate
97%
SAT average
1,050
8. Washington Adventist Hospital
Takoma Park, MD • Private
Admissions rate
52%
SAT average
958
9. Nyack College
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
98%
SAT average
999
10. Methodist College
Peoria, IL • Private
Admissions rate
39%
SAT average
1,015
Average staff physical therapy assistant salary by education level
| Staff physical therapy assistant education level | Staff physical therapy assistant salary |
|---|---|
| Bachelor's Degree | $51,786 |
| Some College/ Associate Degree | $54,580 |
Staff physical therapy assistant education FAQs
Have more questions? See all answers to common healthcare support questions.
Search for staff physical therapy assistant jobs
Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025