MGA Preparing To Launch Physical Therapist Assistant Degree

Author: Sheron Smith
Posted: Thursday, March 12, 2026 12:00 AM
Categories: School of Health and Natural Sciences | Pressroom | Faculty/Staff | Students

Macon, GA

Physical therapy practitioners are healthcare providers who help individuals across the lifespan to restore, maintain, and improve physical function, movement, and strength while reducing pain. 

Middle Georgia State University (MGA) is preparing to launch a new physical therapist assistant program and is now seeking prospective students eager to step into one of healthcare’s fastest-growing, most hands-on careers. 

The new associate of science degree will be based on MGA’s Dublin Campus, which the University is developing into a hub for healthcare education. MGA plans to enroll its first cohort of 15 students, who will potentially begin in-person classes this fall and train for careers helping patients regain movement, independence, and quality of life. 

“A physical therapist assistant program is a strong addition to MGA’s healthcare profession degrees,” said Betsy McDaniel, chair of the University’s Department of Rehabilitation & Fitness, part of the School of Health & Natural Sciences. “It meets regional workforce needs, creates an accessible pathway into a high-demand rehabilitation career, and strengthens interprofessional collaboration with existing occupational therapy and rehabilitation science programs. It also reinforces MGA’s role as a leader in workforce-focused health education.” 

Physical therapy practitioners are healthcare providers who help individuals across the lifespan to restore, maintain, and improve physical function, movement, and strength while reducing pain. Licensed physical therapist assistants (PTAs) work under the supervision of physical therapists using exercises, manual therapy, and patient education to treat injuries, congenital or chronic conditions, or other rehabilitation needs to enable a better quality of life and prevent further injury.  

Demand for PTAs is rising nationwide. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of physical therapist assistants is projected to grow by 16 percent between 2024 and 2034, much faster than the average for most occupations. The median annual salary for PTAs was $65,510 in 2024. 

MGA is currently of the accreditation process with the Commission on Accreditation for Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE).* The University expects a decision this spring on “candidacy status,” which would allow the program to begin enrolling students while continuing through the full accreditation process. 

Students interested in becoming part of MGA’s inaugural cohort can email ptainfo@mga.edu for more information. Admissions requirements are available at https://www.mga.edu/health-natural-sciences/rehabilitation-science/physical-therapy-assistant-program/apply-to-pta-program.php. 

*Candidacy is considered to be an accredited status, as such the credits and degree earned from a program with Candidacy status are considered, by CAPTE, to be from an accredited program. Therefore, students in the charter (first) class should be eligible to take the licensure exam even if CAPTE withholds accreditation at the end of the candidacy period. That said, it is up to each state licensing agency, not CAPTE, to determine who is eligible for licensure. Information on licensing requirements should be directed to the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT; www.fsbpt.org) or specific state boards (a list of state boards and contact information is available on FSBPT's website.) 

Middle Georgia State University is seeking accreditation of a new physical therapist assistant education program from CAPTE. On November 1, 2025, the program submitted an Application for Candidacy, which is the formal application required in the pre-accreditation stage. Submission of this document does not assure that the program will be granted Candidate for Accreditation status. Achievement of Candidate for Accreditation status is required prior to implementation of the technical phase of the program; therefore, no students may be enrolled in technical courses until Candidate for Accreditation status has been achieved. Further, though achievement of Candidate for Accreditation status signifies satisfactory progress toward accreditation, it does not assure that the program will be granted accreditation.