Physical Therapist Assistant AAS Information
Physical Therapist Assistant AAS Information
Join LWTech’s Physical Therapist Assistant Associate of Applied Science (AAS) program for immersive hands-on learning paired with strong theoretical foundations. Under the guidance of expert instructors, you'll engage in practical lab sessions, applying your learning to real-life scenarios.
In your program, you’ll benefit from small class settings, ensuring personalized attention and hands-on training for an enriched learning experience. Graduating from this program equips you with skills to successfully work as a Physical Therapist Assistant. You’ll also be eligible to take the National Physical Therapy Exam (NPTE) and to apply for state licensure as a PTA. Licensure is required in the state of Washington.
Physical Therapist Assistant AAS is a full-time, daytime in-person program with a cohort that starts every Fall. Classes generally occur between 8 am - 4 pm, Monday through Friday, though some hours may vary. Please note that you must have reliable transportation for clinical rotations in the second year.
Physical Therapist Assistant is a Selective Admission program, meaning it has specific admission criteria and a selective, competitive admission process. Pay careful attention to the information on this page to ensure that you are as prepared as possible to apply.
PTA Info Sessions
Information sessions provide an overview of the career of the PTA, the LWTech PTA program curriculum, as well as an overview of the admission application requirements and process.
PTA Info Session RegistrationHow to Apply for Physical Therapist Assistant
Physical Therapist Assistant AAS is a Selective Admission program, which means it has specific admission criteria and a separate application process. For details on applying to the program, submitting transcripts, program funding, and other important resources, please visit the Selective Admission page. Please email Selective Admissions with any questions.
Important Dates and Deadlines
Program Length: 6 quarters of PTA technical & clinical courses
Fall 2026 Application Deadlines:
Physical Therapist Assistant accepts applications for one cohort per year, starting PTA classes in Fall. Up to 20 qualified applicants are admitted for the Fall 2026 cohort. Applications will be collected and processed in three (3) rounds. In each round, qualified applicants will be scored against one another. If the cohort is not full after a round, the next round will open for additional applications. If the cohort fills after a round, no additional rounds will be open.
- Round 1 Deadline: June 30, 2026
- Decisions announced by July 30, 2026
- Round 2 Deadline: July 31, 2026
- Decisions announced by August 20, 2026
- Round 3 Deadline: August 21, 2026
- Decisions announced by September 4, 2026
Applicants can be considered for conditional admission on a space-available basis after the Round 3 application deadline.
Mandatory Orientation:
Admitted students will be required to attend a mandatory orientation on campus.
- Wednesday, September 23, 2026
- 8:30 am - 3:30 pm
- Allied Health Building, room TBA
Apply for PTA!
You can find the application within the Selective Admission Portal. Simply select "Start a New Application" to begin! You must have a current LWTech email to access this portal. Please visit the Selective Admission Page for details on how to apply. Please email Selective Admission if you experience any difficulty accessing the portal.
Apply for the PTA ProgramAdmission and Selection Information
Physical Therapist Assistant program selection is based on application scoring. Scores are calculated as follows, and up to the top 20 applicants are offered admission. LWTech does not keep a waitlist, but applicants may qualify for conditional admission on a space-available basis after the Round 3 application deadline.
Application Scoring:
- Prerequisite Course Grades: 45 points possible
- Observation Hours & Verification: 20 points possible
- Optional Completion of BIOL&242: 10 points possible
- LASSI Assessment and Reflection: Completion Required
- Total Possible Score: 75 Points
All application materials and requirements must be complete by the application deadlines to be considered for Rounds 1 or 2. We cannot waive any requirements. Program requirements include pre-requisite courses, observation hours, and an assessment and reflection. Additional documentation, attendance at the Mandatory Orientation, and required immunizations will apply to accepted candidates. No other factors are considered for admissions. Applicants are responsible for ensuring that all materials are submitted and received properly by LWTech. While we try our best, it is not possible for the admissions office to notify applicants of missing materials or respond to applicant inquiries as to the status of their application.
See below for details on admission criteria.
Applicants are required to complete at least 24 hours of observation of a licensed
PT or PTA in a clinical setting. The PT/PTA must be licensed in the United States.
Once the hours are completed, applicants will need to enter the PT or PTA's name and
email into the application for verification. These verifications must be completed
in order for the application to be considered complete.
Prerequisite Courses (45 Points Possible)
The following courses are used to rank candidates and are worth up to 45 total possible
points in the application scoring system.
PTA Prerequisite Courses Block 1 (Minimum 2.5 Grade Required): 25 Points Possible
Applicants must complete each course with a minimum 2.5 grade or higher to qualify
for admission.
*Science courses must be completed within 10 years to qualify for admission.
**Introduction to Public Speaking is strongly recommended for success in the program.
Applicants who have BIOL&241 in progress at the time of application are not eligible
for conditional admission and will only be considered when the course is complete.
PTA Prerequisite Courses Block 2 (Minimum 2.0 Grade Required): 20 Points Possible
Applicants must complete each of the following courses with a minimum 2.0 Grade or
higher to qualify for admission.
Optional BIOL&242 Completion (10 Points Possible)
Students who complete BIOL&242 Anatomy & Physiology 2 will earn up to 10 points for
their application. In order to qualify, applicants must complete BIOL&242 with at
least a 2.0 GPA or higher.
Completion of BIOL&242 is not required but is strongly recommended by the PTA Program
Faculty because it supports greater student success in PTA coursework. Science classes
must be completed within 10 years of the application deadline to qualify. If you have
questions about this, please email Selective Admission.Observation Hours (20 Points Possible)
If you have questions about Observation Hours, we recommend attending an Information
Session or emailing Selective Admission.
LASSI Assessment and Reflection (Complete/Incomplete)
The Learning and Study Strategies Inventory (LASSI) is a self-report assessment tool
that is designed to gather information about your study practices and attitudes to
help you and the program director understand your individual needs. After you complete
the assessment, reflect on and analyze your results from the LASSI assessment.
Purchase LASSI Online:
Purchase LASSI by clicking this link.
There is a $10 fee associated with the LASSI assessment. Please visit Advising for
more information about completing the assessment.
LASSI Reflection Essay:
Write and submit a 1-2 page reflection that includes your responses to the following prompts:
Applicants are scored on a Complete/Incomplete basis. Both your assessment results and reflection must be uploaded into the application for your application to be considered complete.Additional Program Requirements:
Accepted applicants may be subject to additional requirements for clinical compliance
purposes. The following information is intended to give accepted applicants an overview
of some of the key requirements for the PTA program. PTA program faculty will provide
thorough instructions and details during program orientations and coursework.
National Criminal Background Check
Before beginning clinical coursework or other clinical activities, all LWTech PTA
students will be required to complete a background check to meet contract requirements
with community clinical sites.
Fees for background checks vary. If a criminal background check for a student contains
any flagged items, clinical facilities may deny access to that student. While entrance
to the PTA Program may not be denied because of background check findings, without
access to the clinical facilities, such a student would not be able to satisfactorily
complete the PTA program and will be so advised.
After graduation from the LWTech PTA program, licensure as a PTA in the state of Washington
requires a background check. The Washington State Department of Health has the ability
to deny PTA licensure based upon criminal history. More information can be found through
the Washington Department of Health PTA License Application linked here.
Documentation for Clinical Affiliation Participation
Additional documentation may be required for enrolled PTA program students to participate
in off-campus community-based clinical affiliations required for completion of the
PTA program.
Documentation for clinical work may include but is not limited to:
National Board Exam for PTA Licensing
To work as a Physical Therapist Assistant in Washington State and other states throughout
the United States, graduates of a PTA program must pass National Physical Therapy
Exam (NPTE) from the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT) and apply
for state licensure. The LWTech AAS PTA program has coursework which provides opportunities
for students to study and prepare for the NPTE. Graduates of the LWTech PTA program
are eligible to take the NPTE for PTAs.Required Immunizations:
Students enrolled in the LWTech PTA program are required to provide current proof
of immunization prior to participating in any clinical education experience. Immunizations
are required to ensure patient safety and are based on the policies of contracted
clinical sites. Clinical agencies may deny placement if a student is unable to meet
the immunization standards. Students who are unable to meet the clinical requirements
for the program may be prevented from continuing or graduating from the PTA program.
Immunization requirements may include:
Science Course Time Limits
All Science classes must be completed within 10 years of the application deadline. Please email Selective Admissions if you have questions about this rule.
Program Catalog Page:
Check out the Physical Therapist Assistant AAS Program Catalog Page for a preview of the program's courses!
Preparing for Success
Physical Therapist Assistant is a demanding and highly rewarding profession. To best prepare you for this reality, LWTech's PTA program pairs rigorous academics with hands-on learning in both clinical site placements and a state-of-the-art lab. Even the prerequisite courses can be quite demanding. LWTech highly recommends that you take full advantage of services offered to students so you can be the best possible applicant for PTA.
Advising
Our highly-skilled and qualified Advisors (also called Student Success Navigators) can help you build an individualized plan to complete all PTA requirements in a reasonable time frame and with the greatest chance for success! You can find information on Advising and connect with an Advisor here: LWTech.edu/Advising
The Learning Lab
The Learning Lab is a drop-in tutoring center that supports all LWTech students with subjects like math, English, science, and even the TEAS test. Get support from certified tutors, faculty, and staff with this free resource!
Community Resources
Here at LWTech, we try to prioritize helping you succeed as much as we can. You can find a list of community resources to help with housing or food insecurity, emergency financial aid, and even childcare on our Community Resources page.
TRIO
The LWTech TRIO program provides individualized advising, tutoring, and other support serves. This program is available to students who are first-generation college students, students with disabilities, or low-income students. Check out the TRIO page to see if you might qualify!
Estimated Program Costs
The Physical Therapist Assistant AAS program costs an approximate total of $17,570. You can use grants, loans, scholarships, or other types of funding to help with this cost. We recommend applying for FAFSA or WASFA. Please contact Financial Aid if you need support applying for aid. If you need additional funding or do not qualify for traditional financial aid, you can also explore our Scholarship options, or apply for Workforce Support Services and Funding.
Mission, Philosophy, & Goals
Mission
The mission of the Lake Washington Institute of Technology Physical Therapist Assistant program is to prepare students to enter the healthcare workforce as entry-level physical therapist assistants who are competent to assist the physical therapist in the provision of safe, ethical and effective physical therapy. The program aims to provide students with high quality didactic and clinical education in the cognitive, psychomotor, and affective skills of physical therapy as well as tools for lifelong learning to maintain industry competitiveness.
Philosophy
The Lake Washington Institute of Technology Physical Therapist Assistant program believes the function of the physical therapist assistant is to assist the physical therapist in the provision of safe and effective physical therapy to help people restore and improve motion for greater quality of life. It is the philosophy of the Physical Therapist Assistant Program at LWTech to foster the acquisition of physical therapist assistant skills in a safe learning environment that supports communication, collaboration, and critical thinking, and to promote culturally sensitive, ethical, and compassionate care in the physical therapy workplace.
Student/Graduate Goals
Accreditation
The Physical Therapist Assistant program at Lake Washington Institute of Technology is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE). Lake Washington Institute of Technology is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU) at the associate degree level and at the baccalaureate level. For more information on CAPTE Accreditation, please visit the main PTA webpage.
LWTech Departmental and College Policies
Listed below are important LWTech policies. Please review them before applying to the Physical Therapist AAS program.
Technical Standards: LWTech Physical Therapist Assistant AAS degree
To ensure that graduates of the PTA program can become fully competent and caring
physical therapist assistants capable of providing safe and effective physical therapy
interventions appropriate to the role of a Physical Therapist Assistant under the
supervision of a Physical Therapist, students enrolled in the program must be capable
of the following technical standards:
If you need reasonable accommodations to meet these technical standards, please contact
the Disability Support Services office before classes begin: phone 425-739-8300, email
DSSinfo@lwtech.edu, DSS webpage www.lwtech.edu/dss
Sensory / Motor Skills
- Perform tasks requiring the strength and coordination of both gross (large) and fine (precise) motor skills; balance and perception as is necessary to provide physical therapy procedures to patients. These tasks may include:
- Occasionally (0.5 – 2.5 hrs/day): lift up to 60 pounds, sit in place, twist, crouch/squat, kneel, reach overhead, climb stairs
- Frequently (2.5 – 5.5 hrs/day): lift up to 10 pounds, walk, stoop (bend at waist), turn/pivot in standing or sitting positions, reach to shoulder level, operate documentation technology
- Continuously (5.5 – 8 hrs/day): sit, stand, move throughout work area
- Given instruction in proper technique, safely assist a patient in transferring between positions (such as from a wheelchair to a bed), using proper body mechanics and avoiding injury to self or others
- Provide emergency treatment, including CPR, as appropriate to the role of a PTA
- Respond to warning or distress signals such as a person calling from behind a curtain, bells, alarms, and/or lit signals
- Observe and interpret patient movement, skin condition, and anatomic structure when a patient is both at a distance and close in
- Perceive and interpret charted patient information, professional literature, notes from physicians and other professionals, equipment, dials and displays in physical therapy treatment environments
- Provide clear instructions to patients that are appropriate for patients’ communication needs
- Communicate effectively, compassionately, and respectfully with patients, family members, and coworkers including perception and interpretation of non-verbal communication
- Create clear and legible progress notes in patient charts, home exercise programs, and/or other instructional materials to patients and family members
- Process and communicate information on the patient's status with accuracy and in a timely manner to the supervising physical therapist and other members of the health care team as appropriate
- Concentrate and attend to details amidst a variety of environmental distractions in classroom, laboratory, and clinical settings
- Prioritize multiple tasks and carry out a complex sequence of instructions
- Comprehend and apply information and engage in critical thinking in the classroom, laboratory, and clinical settings
- Problem-solve in a timely manner to transfer learning from one situation to another and make appropriate decisions to promote patient safety
- Maintain professional, sensitive, and effective relationships with patients, students, faculty, staff, and other professionals under all circumstances including highly stressful situations
- Function effectively under stress and adapt to an environment that may change rapidly without warning and/or in unpredictable ways
- Given instruction in proper technique, provide safe, effective, and caring physical therapy interventions under the supervision of a physical therapist to all patient populations including but not limited to people of all ages, people with and without disabilities, patients with significant medical conditions, and peoplein vulnerable situations
- Engage with and respect individual values, beliefs, attitudes, and opinions to successfully foster professional and collaborative working relationships with fellow students, patients, and other professionals
- Self-evaluate capabilities, needs and performance and demonstrate a willingness and ability to give and receive feedback
- Maintain personal appearance and hygiene appropriate to classroom, laboratory and clinical settings
- When necessary and/or appropriate, seek supervision and consultation in a timely manner
- Learn and abide by standards of practice including the APTA Code of Ethics for the Physical Therapy Profession as well as the Core Values for the PT and PTA.
- APTA Code of Ethics for the Physical Therapy Profession can be accessed through this Link.
- Core Values for the Physical Therapist and Physical Therapist Assistant can be accessed through this Link.
- Learn and abide by the Washington State laws/code including but not limited to those relevant to physical therapy and physical therapist assistants.
- Washington State Department of Health Board of Physical Therapy Link to Washington State Laws that directly relate to physical therapy
In signing and submitting the application, you will be certifying that to the best of your knowledge the statements made are complete and true. This means that failure to disclose and submit official transcripts from all schools, colleges, or universities attended and failure to disclose and submit complete and accurate information may result in the denial of admission or subsequent dismissal from Lake Washington Institute of Technology. Your application will be considered incomplete without the required signatures.
Once your online application is completed, make sure to click the "Review Application" button. Make sure everything looks correct, then click "Verify and Submit," enter your name as your signature, and click "Submit". In the application portal, your application must show 100% complete. If it does not say 100% complete, it will be considered incomplete and will not be reviewed. Your application may still be considered incomplete without all required documentation or checklist items. All checklist items must be complete for your application to be reviewed and considered for admission.
LWTech reserves the right to rescind a student's offer of admission wherever:
- the student's final academic record has lowered significantly,
- the student's application materials are found to contain misrepresentations,
- misconduct occurs or is brought to the attention of LWTech after an offer of admission is made, or
- an error led to the offer of admission.
The determination to revisit an application and rescind an offer of admission based upon the above factors rests solely with the Enrollment Services Office. Appeals are heard by the Vice President of Student Services.
Students who disagree with selective admission decisions should follow the grievances and appeals procedures as published online.
The PTA Program at LWTech is open to comments and/or complaints. LWTech students or employees are encouraged to follow published LWTech processes for complaints found at www.lwtech.edu/reporting.
Formal complaints regarding accreditation compliance of the LWTech PTA Program should be addressed to the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE). To obtain the materials necessary for submitting a complaint to CAPTE, visit https://www.capteonline.org/faculty-and-program-resources/complaints.
Input from individuals who are not enrolled in or employed by LWTech or the PTA program is as follows: Comments and/or complaints regarding the PTA program should be submitted in writing, addressed to the PTA Program Director, and mailed to the college. Unresolved complaints or complaints about the PTA Program Director should be submitted in writing, addressed to the Dean of Health Sciences, and mailed to the college. No retaliation will occur by LWTech or the PTA Program due to a complaint being filed. All complaints will be reviewed, documented (including the nature of the complaint and the final outcome of the complaint) and kept on file by the PTA Program Director and/or Dean of Instruction.