Physical Therapy Assistant

Coming Fall 2028

A new Physical therapist assistant program in Owatonna

Riverland is building a two year Associate of Applied Science degree for students who want to help people move again after injury, surgery, or illness.

  • Degree: Associate of Applied Science (AAS)
  • Length: 4 Semesters
  • Location: Owatonna campus
  • First class starts: Fall 2028
  • Applications open: February 1, 2028

What does a physical therapist assistant do?

Physical therapist assistants, often called PTAs, work with people who are recovering from an injury, healing after surgery, or living with a long term condition. You help patients build strength, reduce pain, and move more easily in daily life.

PTAs work under the supervision of a licensed physical therapist. The therapist creates the treatment plan. You carry it out, guide patients through exercises and hands on techniques, watch how they respond, and report back on their progress.

Riverland's program will combine classroom learning with hands on lab practice and clinical training in real health care settings, so you graduate ready to step into a job.

Career outlook

$65,510

Median yearly pay for physical therapist assistants nationally1

16%

Projected job growth from 2024 to 2034, much faster than average for all jobs2

26,400

Job openings expected each year, on average, over the decade2

1 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024. Median wage for physical therapist assistants.

2 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook. Growth and openings figures cover physical therapist assistants and aides together. Pay varies by employer, setting, and location.

Where physical therapist assistants work

  • Outpatient physical therapy clinics
  • Hospitals and rehabilitation centers
  • Skilled nursing and long term care facilities
  • Home health agencies
  • Schools, working with children
  • Sports medicine and orthopedic practices

A day on the job

  • Greet patients and review the treatment plan set by the physical therapist
  • Guide patients through exercises and stretches, correcting form as you go
  • Use hands on techniques, heat and cold, or equipment to reduce pain and swelling
  • Help patients practice walking, balance, and everyday movements
  • Watch how patients respond and write down what you see
  • Report progress to the physical therapist so the plan can be adjusted
  • Teach patients and families what to keep doing at home

What you will study

The program runs four semesters, full time. Courses build on each other, so you start with the basics and finish with clinical work in real health care settings.

  • How the body moves, and what happens when injury or illness gets in the way
  • Hands on treatment techniques, therapeutic exercise, and safe patient handling
  • Care for orthopedic and neurological conditions
  • Medical terminology, ethics, and clear documentation
  • Two clinical experiences in real health care settings, plus board exam preparation

See the full course sequence.

Paying for the program

Tuition rates for fall 2028 are not set yet. Riverland is one of the most affordable colleges in Minnesota, and current rates give you a good idea of what to expect.

See current tuition and fees

Many students pay nothing for tuition. Riverland students may qualify for the North Star Promise, Austin Assurance, Owatonna Opportunity, or the Freeborn County Community Promise. These programs can cover tuition and fees for students who qualify.

Learn about Promise programs and scholarships

Licensure

Physical therapist assistants must be licensed to practice in Minnesota. After graduating from an accredited PTA program, graduates must pass the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) for Physical Therapist Assistants, administered by the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT). They then apply for licensure through the Minnesota Board of Physical Therapy.

Accreditation status

Graduation from a physical therapist assistant education program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education, 3030 Potomac Ave., Suite 100, Alexandria, VA 22305-3085; phone; 703-706-3245; accreditation@apta.org is necessary for eligibility to sit for the licensure examination, which is required in all states. Candidacy is considered to be an accredited status, as such the credits and degree earned from a program with Candidacy status are considered, by CAPTE, to be from an accredited program. Therefore, students in the charter (first) class should be eligible to take the licensure exam even if CAPTE withholds accreditation at the end of the candidacy period. That said, it is up to each state licensing agency, not CAPTE, to determine who is eligible for licensure. Information on licensing requirements should be directed to the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT) or specific state boards (a list of state boards and contact information is available on FSBPT's website.

Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education
3030 Potomac Ave., Suite 100
Alexandria, Virginia 22305-3085
Phone: 703-706-3245
Email: accreditation@apta.org
Website: capteonline.org

Ready to learn more?

Fall 2028 is closer than it sounds. Fill out our form and we will keep you posted on application dates, costs, and what to take in the meantime.

Last Updated: August 11, 2026

Quick Facts

  • Associate of Applied Science
  • 68 Credits | 4 Semesters
  • Location: Owatonna
  • Offering: Fall 2028
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