Physical Therapy Schools in Texas with Degree Program Overviews
Texas has more than thirty colleges that offer physical therapy programs. Learn about the degree programs, tuition info and program options for the ten largest schools to make an informed education decision.
Physical Therapy Schools in Texas
The largest schools in Texas that have physical therapy programs typically are two-year schools that offer an associate-level program designed to prepare students to work as physical therapy assistants. There are also two schools that offer doctoral-level programs in the field, providing students with the knowledge and training to gain licensure and the clinical experience to practice as a physical therapist in a number of settings. Listed below are short overviews of Texas' largest schools that offer some type of physical therapy program, including a comparison table with information on each schools' offerings and tuition numbers.
Austin Community College District
Located in Austin, Austin Community College District offers a 71-credit Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Physical Therapy Assistant (PTA). This program is designed to prepare students to sit for and successfully pass the national licensure exam. This is a two-year program that requires students complete a handful of prerequisites before taking major-specific coursework, including human anatomy, introduction to physical therapy, medical terminology, and English composition. Throughout the duration of the program students will take courses such as human physiology, communication in health care, physical agents, and rehabilitation techniques. Students must also complete several clinical experiences, mainly in the final semester of the program.
Blinn College
Brenham-based Blinn College offers a competitive associate-level PTA program that incorporates general education classes with coursework within the major to provide students with the knowledge and training to seek employment in the physical therapy field. This program integrates lectures, labs, and several practical experiences to provide students with a well-balanced education. Students will take approximately 70 credits and coursework includes pathophysiology, therapeutic exercise, functional anatomy, professional issues, and physical agents. The program is completed once all course requirements are met and students have finished the three mandatory field experiences.
El Paso Community College
El Paso Community College is located in El Paso and offers a five-semester PTA program that integrates practical experiences, general education courses, and major-specific coursework. This program consists of 72 credits and will prepare students to work as assistants to physical therapists and sit for the national licensure exam. Coursework will include therapeutic exercise, human growth and development, anatomy and physiology, professional issues, and physical agents. Students must also complete three field experiences that will provide them with the necessary hands-on training to work successfully in the health care sector as a physical therapy assistant.
Houston Community College
Houston-based Houston Community College has an associate-level PTA program that is offered through the Coleman College for Health Sciences. This is a two-year program that admits roughly 40 students each year. Curriculum for the program will integrate science-based classes within the major, general education coursework, and several practical experiences. Major-specific coursework will include introduction to health professions, anatomy and physiology, basic patient care skills, therapeutic exercise, health care communications, and current concepts in physical therapy.
Lone Star College System
Located in The Woodlands, Lone Star College System has a two-year PTA program that consists of 67 credits and will prepare students to work as physical therapist assistants in a variety of settings. This program integrates lectures, labs, and clinical experiences to provide students with the education and skills necessary to work in the field. Upon completion of the program, students will also be eligible to sit for the national licensure exam. This program requires students to have successfully completed human anatomy and physiology, and the profession of physical therapy before enrolling in the major-specific coursework. Classes within the major will include rehabilitation techniques, functional anatomy, lifespan, growth, and development, and issues in health care. Students are also required to participate in several clinical experiences that range in duration from two to six weeks.
San Jacinto Community College
Pasadena-based San Jacinto Community College has a competitive 72-credit PTA program that has a 100% pass rate for for graduates of the program on the national licensing exam and has seen 100% of those who pass the exam gain employment. This program integrates general education courses, major-specific coursework, and practical experience through four semesters of schooling. Program coursework will include physical agents, therapeutic exercise, general psychology, neurological disorders, clinical pathophysiology, and professional issues.
South Texas College
McAllen's South Texas College offers an associate-level PTA program through the Nursing and Allied Health Center that is designed for full-time students who are interested in working in hospitals, nursing homes, schools, or outpatient clinics under the supervision of licensed physical therapists. This program consists of 70 credits and requires students complete a handful of prerequisites before registering for major-specific classes, such as lifespan growth and development, physical agents, basic patient skills, and management of neurological disorders. In addition to the required coursework, students will complete two, six-week clinical experiences and a final capstone course.
Tarrant County College
Fort Worth's Tarrant County College has a five-semester PTA program will give students a strong foundation in anatomy, physiology, pathology, behavioral sciences, and other topics relevant to physical therapy. Students are required to take general education courses within several categories, including natural science, composition, and arts or humanities, in addition to major-specific coursework. Students will take classes within the major such as communication in health care, basic patient care skills, functional anatomy, professional issues, and therapeutic exercise. In order to successfully complete this program, students must also participate in four clinical experiences which will provide them with extensive hands-on training in the field.
Texas State University - San Marcos
Located in San Marcos, Texas State University - San Marcos offers a three-year Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) through the College of Health Professions. This program is steeped in clinical training, research methods, and science-based coursework to provide students with the skills to work as a physical therapist in a variety of health care settings. Coursework totaling 80 credits will include anatomy, neuroscience, management issues, professional issues, examination techniques, and therapeutic interventions. Students are required to complete 19 credit hours of clinical training and will also take a handful of evidence-based practice and research courses.
University of Texas at El Paso
Based in El Paso, the University of Texas at El Paso offers a 99-credit DPT through the College of Health Sciences that integrates science-based coursework, clinical experiences, and research methods to give students the knowledge and skills needed to work successfully in the physical therapy field. Program coursework will include neuroscience for health sciences, motor control and motor learning, neuromuscular rehabilitation, behavioral science topics, surface anatomy, and medical terminology. This program requires students complete several eight-week and one 12-week clinical experiences, all of which will provide students with intensive training in areas such as pediatrics or geriatrics.
School Comparison Table
| School Name | School Type & Setting | Physical Therapy Degree Programs Offered | Undergraduate Tuition & Fees (2012-2013) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Austin Community College District | Two-year, public; large city | Associate of Applied Science in Physical Therapist Assistant | $2,340 for in-district, $7,200 for in-state, $9,720 for out-of-state residents* |
| Blinn College | Two-year, public; distant town | Associate of Applied Science in Physical Therapist Assistant | $1,824 for in-district, $2,952 for in-state, $4,824 for out-of-state residents* |
| El Paso Community College | Two-year, public; large city | Associate of Applied Science in Physical Therapist Assistant | $1,966 for in-state, $3,646 for out-of-state residents* |
| Houston Community College | Two-year, public; large city | Associate of Applied Science in Physical Therapist Assistant | $1,627 for in-district, $3,355 for in-state, $3,751 for out-of-state residents* |
| Lone Star College System | Two-year, public; small suburb | Associate of Applied Science in Physical Therapist Assistant | $1,408 for in-district, $3,088 for in-district, $3,448 for out-of-state residents* |
| San Jacinto Community College | Two-year, public; large suburb | Associate of Applied Science in Physical Therapist Assistant | $1,312 for in-district, $2,296 for in-state, $3,496 for out-of-state residents* |
| South Texas College | Four-year, public; midsize city | Associate of Applied Science in Physical Therapist Assistant | $5,160 for in-district, $6,045 for in-state, $7,170 for out-of-state residents* |
| Tarrant County College District | Two-year, public; large city | Associate of Applied Science in Physical Therapist Assistant | $1,296 for in-district, $1,994 for in-state, $4,512 for out-of-state residents* |
| Texas State University - San Marcos | University, public; distant town | Doctor of Physical Therapy | $7,732 for in-state, $16,858 for out-of-state residents* |
| University of Texas at El Paso | University, public; large city | Doctor of Physical Therapy | $7,214 for in-state, $17,814 for out-of-state residents* |
Source: *NCES, College Navigator.
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23 Popular Schools
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Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Must be a high school graduate or have completed GED
School locations:
- Dallas
- San Antonio
Classroom-Based Programs
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Associate
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- Associate - Physical Therapist Assistant
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Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Must be a high school graduate or have completed GED
School locations:
- Online Learning
Online Programs
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Associate
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- ASHS in Physical Therapy Assistant
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- AS in Health Science
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Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Must be a high school graduate or have completed GED
School locations:
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Online Programs
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Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Must be a high school graduate or have completed GED
- Currently not accepting applicants from Minnesota or Tennessee
School locations:
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- Bachelor
- Associate
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Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Must live within close proximity to school locations
- Must be graduated from high school by 2011
School locations:
- San Antonio
Classroom-Based Programs
- Associate
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Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Must be 17 years of age or older
School locations:
- Online Learning
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Non-Degree
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- Career Diploma - Home Health Aide (Certified)
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Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Must be a high school graduate or have completed GED
School locations:
- Online Learning
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- Houston
- Spring
Online and Classroom-Based Programs
- Doctorate
- Master
- Bachelor
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Associate
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- AA in Health Care Administration
- AA in Health Care Administration - Electronic Health Records
- AA in Health Care Administration - Health & Wellness Administration
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- Associate of Arts Foundations in Health Care Administration
- Associate of Arts Foundations in Health Care Administration/Medical Records
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- Non-Degree
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Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Must be 21 years of age or older and have completed some college or 24 years of age or older and a high school graduate for a Bachelor's degree
- Masters degree applicants must have a Bachelors degree
- Doctorate degree applicants must have a Masters degree
School locations:
- Online Learning
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Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Must be a high school graduate or have completed GED
- Currently not accepting applications from Texas residents
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Master
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- MBA Dual Concentration: Healthcare Management and Project Management
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- MBA Dual Concentration: Healthcare Management and Public Safety Leadership
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- Bachelor
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