Frequently Asked Questions
Physical Therapist Assistant Program Frequently Asked Questions
How many students apply for admission to the advanced courses?
About 35-40 students apply for admission to the advanced courses each year. The program admits a maximum of 24 students annually.
What percentage of students admitted to advanced courses actually graduate?
The PTA program at Kingsborough is rigorous. Students must be prepared to study hard, apply previous knowledge, and commit themselves to success. As of 2025, the two-year average graduation/academic retention rate for the program is 80%.
Graduation Rate
2024 – 60.1%
2025 – 100.0%
Can I complete the advanced courses as a part time student?
No. PTA courses must be taken as outlined in the curriculum plan. Courses in any given semester are co-requisite to each other and pre-requisite for courses in the subsequent semester. Therefore, part time study is not possible. Students are able to complete all general education (English, anatomy and physiology, mathematics, etc.) courses on a part time basis.
Once I am enrolled in the advanced courses will I have a lot of additional expenses?
There are not a lot of additional expenses. Program expenses (excluding books) are estimated at about $250.00. These expenses include the purchase of liability insurance, professional association membership, laboratory attire, name tag, goniometer, etc. Other costs include transportation and food during clinical internships.
I understand the program requires full-time internships. Can I continue to work my regular job and complete this requirement?
The program includes the completion of two full-time 8-week clinical affiliations. During these periods you are required to work (unpaid) under the supervision of a physical therapist or physical therapist assistant in a contracted health care facility. The clinical affiliations provide you with the opportunity to apply all the skills and techniques learned in the classroom and laboratory in real clinical situations. Students work at their assigned clinical site for 40 hours per week. Affiliation schedules may include a combination of day, evening, and sometimes weekend hours. Some students have continued to work part-time jobs while completing their affiliations. However, given the required level of commitment, it may be difficult to work and complete clinical affiliations simultaneously.
If I decide to go on to PT school, will I get credit for my PTA courses?
No. Physical therapist assistant education is not a short cut to physical therapist school. Physical therapist education occurs at the doctoral level (DPT). Though courses in PT school may have similar titles as courses in PTA school, the depth, breadth, and emphasis of content may be very different. Certainly, completing courses at the associate level may enhance your understanding of physical therapist education course material. General education courses such as English, math, philosophy, etc. are generally, transferable to the baccalaureate degree.
Do you have to take an examination after graduation in order to be a PTA?
Yes. Following completion of all academic requirements graduates must successfully complete the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) for Physical Therapist Assistants. Graduates must pass this examination in order to work as a PTA in the United States.
What percentage of program graduates pass the examination?
The Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT) reports an overall ultimate 2023/2024 two-year pass rate for graduates of 83.8%. This number changes as more students who may have not passed, retake and pass the examination.
What is the employment outlook for PTAs upon graduation?
Program statistics indicate that 100% of 2023/2024 program graduates who sought employment are employed either full or part-time within 6 months of graduation.
Does the PTA program have a job placement program?
No. However, the program offers job placement assistance by informing students and graduates of available jobs and providing resume and interview training.
What kind of salaries do PTAs earn?
The NYS Department of Labor recently published the following information: Median annual earnings of physical therapist assistants is $66,499,00. The entry wage reported is $46,442.00 and the experienced wage reported is $75,899.00
https://dol.ny.gov/occupational-wages-0
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