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San Diego Mesa College was granted provisional approval by the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office to offer a Bachelor’s Degree in the Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) Program.
Mesa College’s innovative PTA program, which currently offers an Associate of Science (AS) degree, will be able to offer licensed physical therapist assistants the ability to enhance their clinical and leadership skills with the addition of a Baccalaureate degree program, leading to improved patient care within the community. Mesa’s first Bachelor’s degree program, Health Information Management (HIM), was fully approved in 2016.
“We know that access to affordable and quality education closes equity gaps for our students and community,” stated Dr. Ashanti T. Hands, President of San Diego Mesa College. “Being able to offer this Bachelor’s degree in Physical Therapist Assistant will not only provide greater access for our students but provide the community with quality graduates in the physical therapy field where health professionals are needed.”
The pending Mesa College PTA Bachelors Program will provide students with advanced knowledge and skills to excel in the field, with an emphasis on healthcare leadership training and progressive clinical skill development, including in topics such as pharmacology, biomechanics, evidence-based practice, and rehabilitation techniques. Graduates will be uniquely positioned to make a meaningful impact on patient care in the local community.
Once the Program has completed the Duplication Review and receives Board of Governors approval, Mesa is planning to start Bachelors level classes in the fall of 2025.
With the addition of the Bachelor’s Degree, San Diego Mesa College will provide an equitable education opportunity for licensed physical therapist assistants that will progress their clinical and leadership skills while improving the quality of patient care, and furthering San Diego Mesa College’s commitment to equitable healthcare access.
Similar to the current Bachelor’s degree offered in Health Information Management, the second two years of the PTA Program will build upon the courses offered during the first two years.
San Diego Mesa College’s Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapist Assistant Program will empower licensed physical therapist assistants to build on their existing knowledge and skills, propelling their careers to new heights. Students will also receive hands-on learning and practice through participating in the Mesa College Community Clinic. The current PTA Program is approved by the Physical Therapy Board of California (PTBC) and accredited by the Commission on the Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) and offers an Associate of Science degree.
Mesa College will be accepting applications into the 2024 Associate of Science (AS) PTA Program in April. Information sessions on how to apply and enroll in the Associate of Science (AS) degree PTA Program are scheduled for December and February 2024.
Learn more about the San Diego Mesa College Physical Therapist Assistant Program and the Mesa College Community Clinic.