Physical Therapist Assistant

Program Description

The Nassau Community College Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) Program has a well-deserved reputation of excellence.  It was established in 1969 and was amongst the first P.T.A. Programs in the country. Employer and graduate surveys rate the NCC PTA Program as excellent, particularly citing the small student-faculty ratio, concern and expertise of the faculty, comprehensive curriculum, active learning laboratories and clinical affiliation experiences.

Physical Therapy is a growth field involved with the physical rehabilitation of people who have a temporary or permanent disabling condition.  Examples of individuals who receive physical therapy are athletes with sports injuries, children with congenital conditions, seniors requiring joint replacement surgeries and people of all ages recovering from traumatic injuries.  The physical therapist assistant works under the supervision of a physical therapist.

A student entering the field should enjoy the sciences, interact well with others, have an interest in working with individuals with disabilities and enjoy a physically active job.

The program is offered during the day only and may be completed in five semesters.  Students are admitted in the fall only and must be available for full-time study in the last semester. 

Phone: 703.706.3245; Email: accreditation@apta.org; Website: www.capteonline.org

To contact the program/institution directly, please call 516.572.9640 extension 26584 or email William O’Keefe, Program Director, at william.okeefe@ncc.edu

The PTA Program has been designed as a career program leading to employment at the end of two years of study. However, after completing a baccalaureate degree, students will be eligible to apply for admission into a doctorate level physical therapy program. Admission is competitive.

William O’Keefe, P.T., M.S. Program Director, Professor: 516.572.9640 ext 26563
Nicole Schiffmacher, PT, DPT, MS, PCS Director of Clinical Education, Instructor: 516.572.9640 ext 26561 
Kimberly D'Albora, P.T., M.A., Assistant Professor: 516.572.9640 ext 26580
Derek Dathe, P.T, D.P.T. , OCS  Instructor: 516.572.9640 ext 26567
Tara Schneider, P.T.A., B.S. Technical Assistant: 516.572.9640 ext 26584

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Clinical Placements

The program affiliates with more than 100 clinical sites in the greater New York metropolitan area. Included are sports medicine clinics, outpatient departments, private practices, hospitals, rehabilitation centers, extended care facilities and pediatric care centers. Students receive clinical experience beginning in the spring semester of the first year under the supervision of campus faculty members. In the second year, students affiliate one day per week in the fall semester and full time in two different settings in the spring semester.