Physical Therapist Assistant

About Physical Therapist Assistant Program

The Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) Program began in Spring 2019. There will be a selective admissions process for acceptance into the PTA Program. It is strongly recommended that students take the required general education courses as well as any other courses that may provide points for admission into the program. Please review the Point System for specifics.

Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) Mission Statement

The Physical Therapist Assistant Program is committed to improving the quality of life for our graduates by developing them into educated, ethical, competent and caring professionals that will serve the community and its needs by providing quality, evidence-based care under the direction and supervision of a physical therapist.

PTA Vision Statement

The Rowan-Cabarrus Physical Therapist Assistant program will be recognized in the region, state, and nation as a quality physical therapist assistant educational program with superlative faculty members, staff and students dedicated to… “Transforming society by optimizing movement to improve the human experience.”

PTA Program Philosophy

The PTA Program at Rowan-Cabarrus is a student-centered institution with an open academic environment that inspires students to obtain a solid foundation in the skills and abilities to use critical thinking to become competent Physical Therapist Assistants.

The PTA Program integrates a variety of instructional methods to advance students from basic knowledge and skills in the classroom and laboratory to comprehensive, evidence-based care in the community for the population that they serve.

The PTA Program cultivates the commitment in our students to continue to grow professionally as well as personally through self-assessment, continued learning, and involvement in professional associations.

The PTA Program strives to develop professionals who recognize and understand the various factors that influence the delivery of physical therapy and possess the ability to adapt and modify the patient care and therapeutic intervention to succeed in the various physical therapy settings.

Complaint Policy of PTA Program

Any complaint outside of due process will be presented to the PTA program director (Anna Marie Prado, PTA program director, annamarie.prado@rccc.edu, 704-216-7180) within one week of occurrence. An investigation will be conducted by the PTA program director and appropriate action will be taken if deemed necessary. Unresolved complaints or complaints about the program director should be directed to Dr. Wendy Barnhardt, dean of health and education (wendy.barnhardt@rccc.edu, 704-216-3700). If the complaint involves the PTA program director, the dean of the health and education will be notified. Investigation and appropriate action will be taken if deemed necessary.
No retaliation will occur by either the PTA program or the College due to a complaint being filed.

If the complainant is not satisfied with the outcome of the informal complaint procedure, he or she may appeal to Dr. Wendy Barnhardt, dean of health and education (wendy.barnhardt@rccc.edu, 704-216-3700). For this appeal, the complaint should be written. The PTA program director will also submit a written statement, detailing the events of the informal procedure, and his or her response to the complaint. These materials should be submitted within two weeks following the informal procedure. After review of the written materials and conferences with each of the involved parties, the dean of the health and education department will render a decision on the matter within two weeks of receipt of these materials. If the complainant is not satisfied with the outcome of the formal complaint procedure, he or she may appeal, within one week, to the vice president of academic programs who will make a determination within one week of the request for appeal. The complainant may also choose to file a written complaint with Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), 3030 Potomac Ave., Suite 100, Alexandria, VA 22305-3085.