Are you passionate about helping people recover from injuries and disabilities? Our Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) program provides hands-on training and expert instruction to help you become a vital member of the healthcare team. Licensed PTA's may find employment in rehabilitation centers, nursing homes, hospitals, pediatric centers, outpatient clinics, home health care, school systems, or other specialized health care settings.
Earn your Associate of Applied Science. degree in 21 months to become a Physical Therapist Assistant. The program is held on our Wharton campus and includes supervised classroom and clinical experiences designed to prepare you to take the examination to become a Licensed Physical Therapist Assistant. Review the courses for each semester in the Academic Map:
In addition to applying to WCJC, the Physical Therapy Assistant program requires a
program application. Complete the application, print it out, and submit it to the
PTA Program and/or Registrar’s Office. The deadline to apply is the last Thursday in May. Once you apply, you are generally notified in June as to your status for the upcoming
fall semester. 16 students are accepted each fall semester. Questions? Call 979-532-6491.
APPLICATION DEADLINE: 5:00 PM, MAY 28, 2026
Dr. Gann received her Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Science at Texas A&M University, and then attended Texas Woman’s University where she earned her Doctorate of Physical Therapy in 2010. Dr. Gann has worked in a variety of therapy settings, including outpatient, sports medicine, inpatient and home health, and has treated wound care patients as well. She acted as Director of Outpatient Rehabilitation at Matagorda Regional Medical Center, and was then promoted to Director of Rehabilitation, overseeing inpatient and outpatient PT, OT, and SLP. Dr. Gann joined the WCJC PTA program as the Director in January 2026, and enjoys teaching Grad 1s and Grad 2s in the program also.
Office: Wharton Campus, Johnson Building 206-E
Phone: (979) 532-6374
Email: lgann1@wcjc.edu
Ms. Espinosa received her A.A.S. Degree as a Physical Therapist Assistant from WCJC in 2012. She practices as a licensed PTA, and brings specialized experience in pediatrics, wound care, and geriatrics. Ms. Espinosa began teaching at WCJC part-time in 2015 and joined the faculty full-time in 2016. She also acts as the PTA Club Sponsor, and is the Academic Coordinator of Clinical Education to ensure quality clinical rotations for the students in the PTA Program.
Office: Wharton Campus, Johnson Building J19
Phone: (979) 532-6373
Email: espinosam@wcjc.edu
Ms. Hicks is a dedicated Physical Therapist Assistant with a strong passion for patient care, education, and wellness. She earned her A.A.S Degree as a Physical Therapist Assistant from Houston Community College in 2008. Ms. Hicks also holds a Bachelor’s degree in Health Education and a Master’s degree in Health Education and Promotion from Walden University. She specializes in pediatrics, working with children to improve mobility, strength, and functional independence. Additionally, she brings experience in aquatic therapy, orthopedic rehabilitation, ergonomics, and is a certified Kinesio-taping practitioner. Ms. Hicks joined WCJC as an Instructor in the spring of 2022 and is dedicated to inspiring and preparing the next generation of healthcare professionals.
Office: Wharton Campus, Johnson Building J21
Phone: (979) 532-6334
Email: hicksc@wcjc.edu
Archived Administrative Master Syllabi
The Physical Therapist Assistant program at WCJC is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE).
Address:
3030 Potomac Ave., Suite 100
Alexandria, Virginia 22305-3085
Phone: (703) 706-3245
Email: accreditation@apta.org
Website: http://www.capteonline.org.
If you need to contact the Physical Therapist Assistant Program at WCJC directly, please call (979) 532-6491 or email medinat@wcjc.edu.
The Physical Therapist Assistant program at Wharton County Junior College was granted initial accreditation on April 24, 1991. Accreditation extends from November 9, 2016, to December 31, 2027.
The Physical Therapist Assistant Program at Wharton County Junior College is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE). CAPTE accreditation of a physical therapist or physical therapist assistant program satisfies state educational requirements in all states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Thus, students graduating from CAPTE-accredited physical therapist and physical therapist assistant education programs are eligible to take the National Physical Therapy Examination and apply for licensure in all states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. For more information regarding state qualifications and licensure requirements, refer to the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy website at www.fsbpt.org
Complaints regarding the PTA Program, its faculty, or students should be submitted to the PTA Program Director in the Johnson Health Science Building at the Wharton campus. You may call (979) 532-6491 or email medinat@wcjc.edu. Interested parties who have questions about the program's accreditation status should contact the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education at http://www.capteonline.org
| 2022-2023 Average | 2023-2024 Average | |
| Graduation Rate | 85.7% | 66.67% |
| First Time Pass Rate | 72.5% | 81.25% |
| Ultimate Pass Rate | 90.86% | 95.85% |
| Employment Rate | 100% | 100% |
Contact Tiffany Medina with your program and application questions.
Phone: 979-532-6491
Email: medinat@wcjc.edu
