The Physical Therapist Assistant program is administered by the Chesapeake Area Consortium for Higher Education (CACHE) comprised of Anne Arundel Community College (AACC), Chesapeake College and the College of Southern Maryland (CSM).

Students complete the general education requirements at their home college. Physical therapist assistant classes are held at AACC. Clinical practice rotations are completed at local service areas when possible.

Students who complete the two-year, five-term program receive an Associate of Applied Science degree. Graduates are eligible to take the National Licensing Examination for Physical Therapist Assistants.

State-of-the-Art Equipment

Our laboratory includes state-of-the-art equipment. Students develop competencies in treatment techniques within the laboratory before attending clinical practice sessions in the community.

Statewide Program

This program of study may be designated a Health Manpower Shortage Tuition Reduction Program as of January 1, 2010. This means that some residents of Maryland enrolled in this program of study by the first day of the term may be eligible for in-county tuition rates for courses required for program completion. 

Career Opportunities

Employment of physical therapist assistants and aids is projected to grow 19 percent from 2022 to 2032, much faster than the average for all occupations. Demand for physical therapy services is expected to increase in response to the health care needs of an older population and growing rates of chronic conditions such as diabetes and obesity.

The physical therapist assistant, as defined by the APTA, is a licensed clinician who assists the physical therapist in the provision of physical therapy interventions. The main goal of physical therapy is to rehabilitate patients to as much physical independence as possible after injury or illness. Fields of interest include neurology, orthopedics, pediatrics, sports injuries, geriatrics and acute care. Our program prepares you for entry-level employment in a variety of settings including hospitals, private practices, rehabilitation centers and nursing homes.

---

Notice of Nondiscrimination
I. Purpose
  Anne Arundel Community College (“college”) is committed to providing and maintaining equal opportunity in all its activities, admissions, curriculum, employment, policies and programs and establishes this Equal Opportunity and Nondiscrimination Policy (“policy”) to prohibit discrimination on the basis of a protected class.

II. Scope and Applicability
  This policy applies to all members of, and entities within, the college and all individuals, companies, and organizations that conduct business with the college.

III. Prohibition of Discrimmination
  The college prohibits all types of discrimination including, but not limited to, race – including hair texture and hairstyle – color, religion or creed, ancestry or national origin, sex, age, marital status, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, citizenship, and genetic information.

IV. Reporting
  Complaints of discrimination shall be reported to the college’s chief compliance and fair practices officer.

V. Information
  For information regarding the college's compliance and complaints concerning discrimination, contact the chief compliance and fair practices officer and Title IX coordinator at complianceofficer@aacc.edu or 410-777-1239, or call Maryland Relay at 711.
Anne Arundel Community College (website Mar 2024)

CC Equal Opportunity Statement
Chesapeake College is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons so that no person, on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, age, national origin, ancestry, sex, gender identity, marital status, genetic information, disability, pregnancy, military status, sexual orientation, or any other class protected by law, shall be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be otherwise subjected to discrimination under any program or activity of this College. Under this policy, this College will not discriminate against any person on the grounds of race, color, religion, creed, age, sex, gender identity, marital status and genetic information, national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, military status or any other class protected by law, in its admission policies and practices of the College relating to the treatment of students or other people in employment, the providing of services, financial aid, and other benefits and including the use of any building, structure, room, materials, equipment, facilities, or any other property.
Chesapeake College, as a recipient of federal financial assistance, is required by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, as amended, not to discriminate on the basis of sex in the educational programs or activities which it operates. Chesapeake College is also covered by and complies with Title VI and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 which prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color or national origin or sex, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and the Rehabilitation Act of 1975 both of which prohibit discrimination on the basis of disability. The College is also covered by federal and state laws prohibiting discrimination in employment. The Director of Human Resources serves as the College’s Equal Opportunity Officer, and is the designated compliance officer under Title VI, Title VII, Title IX, Section 504 and ADA Title II.
Complaint procedure
Any person who believes he or she has been subjected to any form of prohibited discrimination, including violations of any of these laws, may file a complaint of discrimination with the Director of Human Resources (Office location: D-249 of the Dorchester Administration Building on the Wye Mills Campus; Phone: 410.827.5811). Copies of the complaint procedure will be provided on request. All complaints will be investigated by the College, and if a violation is found, prompt corrective action will be taken. Persons dissatisfied with the results may appeal to the College President.
Chesapeake College (website Mar 2024)

College of Southern Maryland Nondiscrimination Policy
The College of Southern Maryland does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, disability, age, sexual orientation, religion, or marital status in its programs or activities. The ADA/504 Coordinator—La Plata Campus, Learning Resource Center (LR Building), Room 123, 301-934-7614—has been designated to handle inquiries regarding discrimination on the basis of disabilities. The executive director of Student Affairs—La Plata Campus, Administration (AD) Building, Room 220A, 301-539-4746—should be contacted for student discrimination inquiries. Human Resources—La Plata Campus, Campus Center (CC Building), Room 212, 301-934-7700—should be contacted to handle all other discrimination inquiries.
College of Southern Maryland website Mar 2024