Lake Michigan College to showcase new Physical Therapist Assistant degree program at Nov. 11 open house

BENTON HARBOR, Mich. – Lake Michigan College will introduce its new Physical Therapist Assistant program to the public during an open house on Tuesday, Nov. 11, from 6-7:30 p.m. The event will be held at the College’s South Haven Campus, where the program is based. The campus is located at 125 Veterans Blvd.

High school students and adults considering training for a career in health care, area health care professionals, and the broader community are invited to meet faculty and staff, learn about the program and entrance requirements, and explore PTA career pathways. The event will include tours of the new lab located on the second floor of the South Haven Campus building.

LMC developed the program to address a critical gap: Southwest Michigan currently has limited Physical Therapist Assistant training options despite strong employer demand. The new offering joins LMC’s other health science certificate and degree offerings, which include Certified Nurse Aide, Diagnostic Medical Sonography, Medical Assisting, Nursing, Pharmacy Technician, Phlebotomy, and Radiologic Technologist.

"We saw a clear need. Despite strong demand from local healthcare employers, there are limited PTA training programs in the region," stated Dr. LaToya Mason, LMC Dean of Health Sciences. "Given our experience delivering high-quality, accredited health care programs, this was a natural fit for Lake Michigan College."

Graduates of LMC’s Physical Therapist Assistant program earn an Associate in Applied Science Degree. Upon program completion, students are eligible to take the National Physical Therapy Examination for licensure, following which they will be ready to work with patients under the supervision of licensed physical therapists in a variety of healthcare settings.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median pay for physical therapist assistants nationwide is $65,510. Job growth prospects for the field are bright, with an anticipated 22 percent increase in jobs by 2034.

Program candidates will be evaluated through a selective admission process, with 18 students accepted each fall semester. Like many of the College’s other health science programs, selection will be competitive and based on grade point average, Test of Essential Academic Skills exam scores, physical therapy observation hours, and qualifying direct patient care experience.

The first cohort of Physical Therapist Assistant students will be admitted to the program in 2027. According to Dr. Susan Tomica, LMC Director of Physical Therapist Assistant Program, those interested in applying need to begin planning now.

“Students need to complete 25 credit hours of prerequisite and general education courses before applying for admission to the Physical Therapist Assistant program. People hoping to enter the program can begin taking those classes as soon as the upcoming Spring semester to be ready when we open our first application pool in the spring of 2027,” stated Tomica.

Registration is not required for the open house. More information about the Physical Therapist Assistant program at LMC can be found at https://www.lakemichigancollege.edu/academics/health-sciences/pta.

About Lake Michigan College
LMC is the region’s leader in high-quality, affordable higher education, offering associate degrees, certificates, and transfer programs in more than 80 fields of study. LMC offers national-title-winning intercollegiate athletic teams, on-campus housing, and a wealth of extracurricular activities, clubs, and organizations to create an authentic college experience close to home. For more information, visit lakemichigancollege.edu.