The Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) has granted Central Methodist University’s Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) Program full accreditation for five years.
Effective May 2, the Commission based its decision on the program’s general compliance with standards and required elements. Accreditation is a process used to assure the quality of the education students receive. It is a voluntary, non-governmental, peer-review process that occurs on a regular basis, according to CAPTE.
The process has taken more than four years, said CMU’s Jennifer Spielbauer, PTA Program director.
“From the beginning, there was a vision of where this was going to go, but now to see it come to fruition is humbling and exciting,” she said. “I look forward to watching the program continue to grow.”
Spielbauer said CMU’s PTA Program does a great job getting involved with surrounding communities, and that many have opened their arms – allowing students access to their facilities and clients.
“The PTA Program has and will continue to expand our mission beyond the classroom,” she said. “We are developing great partnerships that benefit students and all parties involved.”
Central’s PTA Program prepares students to become educated and licensed clinicians that work under the direction and supervision of licensed physical therapists. PTAs help people of all ages who have health-related conditions that affect physical function in their daily lives.