Rasmussen College Expands Physical Therapist Assistant Associate’s Degree Program to Ocala, Florida, Campus

Rasmussen College, a regionally accredited private college, today announced the expansion of its Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) Associate’s degree program to its Ocala, Florida, campus.1 The PTA degree program is designed for students who are eager to play a hands-on role in helping people of all ages regain their strength and mobility. Students benefit from a unique blend of flexible online classes and on-campus full-day labs. Students are not required to be on campus every day or every week, but will have concentrated, uninterrupted lab time, several days in a row when they are on campus. In addition, real-world clinical practice at a local healthcare facility ensures hands-on training and career readiness. Rasmussen College’s PTA program is designed to help students earn their degree and seek a PTA position in as few as 18 months.2 Enrollment is now available with classes beginning in January.

“We are excited to expand our PTA program to the Ocala community,” said Amy Garrigues, PT, DPT, Rasmussen College executive director of physical therapy and rehabilitation services. “Because demand for PTAs in Florida has grown rapidly, with more than 1,700 job postings in the state over the last 12 months, labor analytics firm Burning Glass projects more than 30 percent employment growth by 2028, so now is the opportune time to grow our program.”

About the Rasmussen College – Ocala PTA Program

To help meet employer demands, Rasmussen College’s hands-on PTA program is designed to help students earn their degree in an immersive setting, develop their confidence and arm them with the skills employers seek. Students learn to improve a patient’s mobility and decrease pain, as well as gain the ability to comfortably and confidently interact with professionals and patients in a variety of clinical settings.

Students will be immersed in a skills-based curriculum built on industry best practices and guided by experienced instructors. Didactic online courses provide flexibility and students experience longer, less-frequent on-campus lab schedules to help them balance the demands of their busy lives and work. Full-day labs allow for concentrated work and practice while also preparing students for the physical and mental efforts required of a working PTA.

The program is also offered with Flex Choice® self-directed assessment offerings, which allows students to blend traditional online courses with self-directed assessments that provide optional coaching assistance. Assessments provide students with more flexibility and affordability, allowing them to receive credit for what they already know.

To learn more about the Rasmussen College Physical Therapist Assistant Associate’s degree program, which is also offered at the Land O’ Lakes/East Pasco, FL, and Brooklyn Park/Maple Grove, MN, campuses, please visit rasmussen.edu/pta.3

1 Rasmussen College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, a regional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. hlcommission.org | 800-621-7440

2 Completion time is dependent on the number of courses completed each term.

3 Graduation from a physical therapist assistant education program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), 1111 North Fairfax Street, Alexandria, VA 22314; phone; 703-706-3245; accreditation@apta.org is necessary for eligibility to sit for the licensure examination, which is required in all states.

Rasmussen College – Ocala is seeking accreditation of a new physical therapist assistant education program from CAPTE. On May 31, the program submitted an Application for Candidacy, which is the formal application required in the pre-accreditation stage. Submission of this document does not assure that the program will be granted Candidate for Accreditation status. Achievement of Candidate for Accreditation status is required prior to implementation of the technical phase of the program; therefore, no students may be enrolled in technical courses until Candidate for Accreditation status has been achieved. Further, though achievement of Candidate for Accreditation status signifies satisfactory progress toward accreditation, it does not assure that the program will be granted accreditation.

ABOUT RASMUSSEN COLLEGE:

Rasmussen College is a regionally accredited private college that is dedicated to changing lives and the communities it serves through high-demand and flexible educational programs. Since 1900, the College has been committed to academic innovation and providing a high standard of education while empowering students to pursue a college degree. Rasmussen College offers Certificate and Diploma programs through Associate’s, Bachelor’s and Master’s degree programs online and across its 23 Midwest and Florida campuses. A pioneer in online education, the College is helping lead advancements in innovations such as competency-based education and comprehensive student support services that help working adults advance their careers. The College is also committed to providing a positive impact on society through public service and a variety of community-based initiatives. For more information about Rasmussen College, please visit rasmussen.edu.

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