Central Penn College Reports Renewed Interest 

In Physical Therapist Assistant Program 

Recent PTA Visit Day Reflects Surge in Interest and Demand

SUMMERDALE, PA (February 14, 2025) Reflecting the heightened demand for physical therapy, both locally and nationally, Central Penn College (CPC) reports that its recent PTA Visit Day attracted many lifelong learners interested in earning a physical therapist assistant (PTA) degree.  

The current employment rate for Central Penn’s PTA graduates is an impressive 100 percent, PTA Program Director Nicole Patterson, DPT reported, underscoring the booming marketplace right now.

Courses in the evenings have become especially popular as the 144-year-old college adjusts to the evolving marketplace by accommodating working adults seeking a career change, a first-time career, or greater convenience.   

Located just minutes from the state Capitol Complex and strategically situated at the juncture of Dauphin, Cumberland and Perry counties, Central Penn College offers the only PTA program offered in the capital region. 

For those eager to earn a paycheck quickly, students can work in the field in as little as 18 months, combined with an internship, college officials said.  

 Patterson said, “Now is a great time to become a PTA because of the growing demand for qualified healthcare providers. The Bureau of Labor and Statistics predicts that the field of physical therapy will continue to grow, which makes this a stable career choice.”

“Our program is often contacted by area clinics looking to fill PTA positions, and our current employment rate is 100%,” Patterson emphasized. “Becoming a PTA is also a rewarding experience, as PTAs help people recover from injuries and conditions that impact their daily lives and help them return to their normal activities.”

Patterson pointed out that Central Penn is also an attractive choice because the college offers admissions twice a year, an accelerated program so that you can earn your degree faster, flexible class schedules, with both a day and evening program, and small class sizes taught by caring faculty who were all practitioners themselves.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that employment of physical therapists will grow 14% from 2023 to 2033 which is much faster than other occupations.

In a March 2024 poll, 51% of Americans said they had received care from a physical therapist at some point in their lives.

Central Penn is now enrolling PTA students for both day and evening classes, with classes beginning with summer term on July 7.

For details on enrollment, curriculum, financial aid, and more, please visit www.centralpenn.edu.

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