Search
Menu
Physical therapist assistants (PTAs) provide physical therapy services under the direction and supervision of a licensed physical therapist (PT). PTAs help people of all ages to move and perform functional activities in their daily lives, in a variety of settings, including hospitals, private practices, skilled nursing facilities, rehabilitation centers, school systems and sports facilities. A technical education and core principles, including self-responsibility and professionalism, allow our graduates to work in physical therapy practice, administration or education.
The curriculum is built upon the minimum required skills of physical therapist assistant graduates at entry-level, the normative model of physical therapist assistant education and documents on professionalism and ethical behavior of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA), as well as the CAPTE requirements for physical therapist assistant program accreditation. The program integrates general education courses, technical courses and clinical education experiences. Upon graduation, students are eligible to sit for the National Physical Therapy Exam for PTAs, which is a requirement for state licensure.
Due to the limited number of spaces available in this program, selection is on a competitive basis. In order to be considered for admission into the program that begins in the fall, prospective students must complete the admission requirements by the second Friday in July.
| Prospective Student Meetings: |
|---|
| **Students are encouraged to attend meetings as soon as possible to ensure application requirements can be met on time.** |
| Thursday, September 24, 2026, at 10:30 a.m. via Zoom |
| Thursday, October 15, 2026, at 10:30 a.m. via Zoom |
| Monday, November 16, 2026, at 4:15 p.m. via Zoom |
| Thursday, December 17, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. via Zoom |
Bring your questions! Reserve your seat by email at pta@worwic.edu or call 410-572-8740 and indicate which meeting you would like to attend. A link to the meeting will be provided at that time.
Admission to the PTA program is limited and competitive. Prior to applying for admission, students must:
Meetings are scheduled in the late spring prior to the PTA program admission deadline.
There is an additional requirement for a total of eight hours of physical therapist or physical therapist assistant observation:
Students must complete a PTA Observation Verification Form at each setting and email the documents to pta@worwic.edu. Please refer to the PTA Observation Hours: Contact Information sheet for a few observation location options. Observations can be completed at any facility that offers inpatient or outpatient physical therapy.
To assist prospective students with preparation for future application to the PTA program, admission guidelines can be found in the PTA admission information packet.
The physical therapist assistant program at Wor-Wic Community College is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), 3030 Potomac Ave., Suite 100, Alexandria, Virginia 22305-3085; telephone: 703-706-3245; email: accreditation@apta.org; website: http://www.capteonline.org. If needing to contact the program/institution directly, please call Dr. William Bails at 410-334-6766 or email wbails@worwic.edu.
Detailed program information can be found in the Program Packet linked on this webpage. Prospective students are highly encouraged to read through the packet in its entirety.
The Wor-Wic Community College Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) Program welcomes feedback and concerns from prospective and enrolled students, faculty, staff, clinical education sites and educators, graduates, employers, and members of the community. The program is committed to addressing complaints in a fair, consistent, equitable, timely, and respectful manner. No individual will be subject to retaliation for submitting a complaint in good faith or participating in the complaint process.
Complaints or concerns related to the PTA program may be submitted in writing to the PTA Program Department Head. Written complaints should include the nature of the concern, the name and contact information of the person submitting the complaint, relevant details or supporting documentation, and the desired resolution, if applicable. Complaints may be emailed to pta@worwic.edu or mailed to:
PTA Program Department Head
Wor-Wic Community College
32000 Campus Drive
Salisbury, MD 21804
Anonymous complaints may be submitted; however, the program’s ability to investigate or respond may be limited if additional information cannot be obtained.
Upon receipt of a complaint, the PTA Program Department Head will acknowledge the complaint, determine whether it falls within the scope of this procedure, and conduct or coordinate an appropriate review. Complaints involving matters governed by an existing college grievance, appeal, disciplinary, human resources, or other formal process will be referred to the appropriate college procedure. An individual who is the subject of a complaint or has a conflict of interest will not be responsible for determining the outcome of the complaint. The PTA Program Department Head will consult with the Dean of Health Professions and/or Vice President for Academic Affairs as appropriate.
The program will make reasonable efforts to provide a written response within 14 calendar days. When additional time is required, the complainant will be notified. Appropriate corrective or preventive action will be taken when warranted. The program will communicate the disposition of the complaint to the complainant to the extent permitted by college policy and applicable privacy requirements.
Records of comments and responses are maintained securely by the PTA department for a period of four years or longer as determined by the Academic Record and Retention Plan policy. Complaint records may be reviewed in aggregate as part of the program’s continuous quality improvement process.
There are many options to help you fund your education, including the PTA specific scholarships listed below. Many scholarships require completion of the FAFSA. For help and/or information on other scholarships you may qualify for, visit Financial Aid & Scholarships or email the financial aid office or call 410-334-2905.
Friends and family members of the late Billie Mae Cooper, founder of the Cooper Insurance Agency in Salisbury, established an endowed scholarship fund at the Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore for students enrolled in Wor-Wic’s physical therapist assistant program. Priority is given to Wicomico County residents. Selection is based on financial need and scholastic achievement. Apply through Wor-Wic’s Scholarship Portal.
Dr. Karie and Jeff Solembrino created the Donald L. Williard Jr. Annual Scholarship for non-traditional students enrolled in a credit program taking six or more credits in a health professions program. The scholarship funds can be used for tuition, fees, books and cost of attendance. Preference is given to students who are parents. Apply through Wor-Wic’s Scholarship Portal.
Kathleen and Michael Abercrombie Jr. of Salisbury established an endowed scholarship for students enrolled in Wor-Wic’s health care (emergency medical services, nursing, occupational therapy assistant, physical therapist assistant or radiologic technology) programs. Income from the endowment is used for the annual scholarships. Selection is based on financial need. Apply through Wor-Wic’s Scholarship Portal.
The Pocomoke City Area Health Care Scholarship Inc. established an endowed scholarship fund at the Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore for students enrolled in Wor-Wic’s health care programs. Selection is based on financial need and scholastic achievement. Recipients must have at least 15 credit hours toward the completion of the program, and they must maintain a 3.0 grade point average. First preference is given to residents of Worcester, Somerset or Accomack County, with second priority to residents of Wicomico County. They must agree to work in one of the four counties on the Lower Eastern Shore for one year after their graduation. The scholarship funds are provided for a maximum of two years for full-time students and three years for part-time students. Apply through Wor-Wic’s Scholarship Portal.
Melody and the late Cal Lubben of Pocomoke City established an endowed scholarship fund at the Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore in memory of their son, Spencer, who was working as a physical therapist technician and studying to be a physical therapist assistant at Wor-Wic at the time of his death. Applicants must be in the second year of Wor-Wic’s physical therapist assistant program. Preference is given to residents of Worcester County. Selection is based on scholastic achievement and an essay submitted to the physical therapist assistant department head. Apply through Wor-Wic’s Scholarship Portal.
The Wicomico Medical Society established an endowed scholarship at the Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore for students enrolled in a health related profession with an overall GPA of 2.5 or greater. Priority is given to students in health care professions for which there is a local shortage or demand for services. Selection is based on financial need. Apply through Wor-Wic’s Scholarship Portal.
Additional education or certification may be required.
Wor-Wic Community College and/or the Health Profession Division reserves the right to revise requirements for admission into the Health Profession programs, the selection criteria and procedures, and the required courses for programs of study as deemed necessary without prior notification.