Physical therapy is a health profession that involves direct care of individuals who experience temporary or permanent disability due to pain, injury, disease or birth defects. Working under the supervision of a physical therapist (DPT), the physical therapist assistant (PTA) helps to improve patients’ mobility and level of function through the use of exercise, manual therapy and assistive technologies.
Located at the college’s Benson Campus in Greer, the Greenville Technical College PTA program is designed as a 1 + 1 program.
If you're seeking a career in a high-demand field, we can help make your education even more affordable.
The Career Pathways Scholarship may cover the cost of tuition, fees and books if you're enrolled in a qualifying program at GTC.
Please note: Pre-Health Sciences and Pre-Nursing students who are currently enrolled as Associate of Science students are not eligible for the scholarship until they are accepted and enrolled into the Health Sciences/Nursing program they have selected.
The Physical Therapist Assistant program prepares graduates to become a licensed PTA who can work in the field of physical therapy, under the supervision of a licensed physical therapist. As an integral member of the health care team, PTAs provide physical therapy interventions that help patients reduce pain, minimize physical impairments, improve movement and function, prevent illness or injury and promote optimal physical health.
A PTA can work in
Salary projections for PTA's based on recent graduate starting salaries in the Upstate South Carolina range from $40,000 - $48,000 annually with an entry-level degree.
National Outlook
National employment statistics and employment expectations are available through the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
WHAT YOU’LL LEARN IN THE PROGRAM
Some of the subject matter covered includes
IS PTA RIGHT FOR YOU?
Physical therapist assistants perform components of physical therapy procedures and related tasks, under the direction and supervision of physical therapists.
To determine whether or not you will be able to successfully perform the job of a PTA, check out the sample job description activities required at Essential Functions and Technical Standards for Physical Therapist Assistant Students (pdf).
The PTA program can be physically challenging. To determine if you are prepared to succeed in the PTA Program, take this challenge (pdf).
The Physical Therapist Assistant Program at Greenville Technical College is accredited by the
Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE)
3030 Potomac Ave., Suite 100
Alexandria, Virginia 22305-3085
Phone: (703) 706-3245
Email: accreditation@apta.org
www.capteonline.org
If needing to contact the program/institution directly, please call (864) 250-3032 or email Daniel.Markovich@gvltec.edu.
PTA Program Accreditation Status
The Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) in conjunction with the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) granted the GTC PTA Program Accreditation, May 2, 2018 - June 30, 2029.
2 YEAR GRADUATION RATE AVERAGES, 2020-2022:
Benson Greer Campus 97%
FDTC Expansion Campus 85%
1ST TIME LICENSING EXAM PASS RATE AVERAGE, 2020-2022:
Benson Greer Campus 96.3%
FDTC Expansion Campus 100%
PTA PROGRAM GRADUATES EMPLOYMENT RATE, 2020-2022: 100% (Both Campus Locations)
PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
Greenville Technical College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award associate and baccalaureate degrees. Degree-granting institutions also may offer credentials such as certificates and diplomas at approved degree levels.
Questions about the accreditation of Greenville Technical College may be directed in writing to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097, by calling (404) 679-4500, or by using information available on SACSCOC’s website (www.sacscoc.org).
Physical Therapist Assistant
Associate in Applied Science
Designed as a 1 + 1 program, this program prepares students to become licensed physical therapist assistants, key members of the health care profession.
PTA program details from our current catalog »
Students working toward acceptance in select Health Sciences programs are now classified as an Associate in Science major. Want to know more? Check out our FAQ section.
In addition to the Greenville Technical College admissions process outlined in these Enrollment Steps, students interested in the PTA program must also
The PTA program strictly adheres to all School of Health Sciences policies, which are detailed on the Health Sciences admissions information page.
Career Talk provides valuable information regarding the application process, requirements, policies, procedures, and expectations of students interested in applying to the PTA program. Completion of the in-person Career Talk is a requirement for submitting an application.
Preview or review the PTA program Career Talk Presentation for the most up-to-date information.
The next in-person career talk is scheduled for
at Benson Campus, Building 301
See all upcoming in-person career talk events »
Email Nechia.Carroll@gvltec.edu for information.
For the Florence-Darlington PTA program, refer to their career talk schedule.
PTA program applicants are required to complete the Test of Essential Academic Skills (ATI TEAS®) prior to submitting a Weighted Admission form for program admission. Scores from the TEAS test will be used in the point calculations on the Weighted Admission form. Please see full details in the TEAS Information.
The application submission process for GTC's PTA program is now electronic. The electronic application will only be accessible during the application acceptance period, January 15-March 31 annually. Applications are not accepted during any other timeframe.
The PTA program is designed as a 1 + 1 program, where Phase I includes your general education and related courses, which may be taken at Greenville Technical College or any articulating college.
See Phase I requirements and recommended course progression »
Upon successful completion of Phase I, qualified students are eligible to apply to Phase II, the final 4-6 semesters of academic and clinical physical therapist assistant coursework.
See Phase II requirements and recommended course progression »
Recommended Humanities Electives »
Admission into the Greenville Technical College PTA program Phase I does not guarantee admission into Phase II of the program. Phase II admission is competitive based on weighted admission scores and the relative scores of the applicant pool each year.
If you have questions about the program requirements, check first in the PTA Program Frequently Asked Questions.
The mission of the Greenville Technical College Physical Therapist Assistant program is to meet the needs of the area by providing a pool of qualified graduates for entry-level positions who demonstrate knowledge, competence, professionalism and effective communication skills to enable them to participate successfully as members of an evolving health care community. Our commitment is to provide the highest quality educational opportunities available for students who desire to become physical therapist assistants. The faculty is committed to helping each student achieve his or her fullest potential through a rigorous academic curriculum and individualized clinical experiences. We believe in developing strong partnerships between the health care community and the academic program. We value life-long learning and commitment to continuing education. Through role modeling and mentoring, we encourage our students to participate in professional organizations and community service activities.
Administrative Assistant
Nechia Carroll
Nechia.Carroll@gvltec.edu
(864) 250-3031 or 3069
Advisors
Dia Robinson
Advises all Phase I PTA students from Greenville Technical College and articulating colleges
Dia.Robinson@gvltec.edu
(864) 250-3036
Faculty / PTA Program Advisors
Gregg Forlini, MPT.BS
PTA Academic Program Director
Advises Phase II PTA students from Florence Darlington Technical College
Gregg.Forlini@gvltec.edu
Florence Darlington Technical College
(843) 661-8270
TBD
Advises Phase II PTA students with last names beginning with A-F
Brett Pollock, PTA BS
Advises Phase II PTA students with last names beginning with G-M
Brett.Pollock@gvltec.edu
(864) 250-3029
Dan Markovich, PTA, ATC, M.Ed.
Advises Phase II PTA students with last names beginning with N-Z
Daniel.Markovich@gvltec.edu
(864) 250-3032
Academic Program Director
Dan Markovich, PTA, ATC. M.Ed.
Daniel.Markovich@gvltec.edu
(864) 250-3032
Administrative Assistant
Nechia Carroll
Nechia.Carroll@gvltec.edu
(864) 250-3031 or 3069