Lake Area Technical College

PTA Program Data

Below is complete information including curriculum, learning format, tuition and fees, student outcomes, accreditation, student reviews, and application deadlines for the Physical Therapist Assistant program at Lake Area Technical College. Page updated: July 1st, 2025

Lake Area Technical College PTA Program Overview

Lake Area Technical College’s Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) program, located in Watertown, South Dakota, offers a comprehensive 20-month pathway to an Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree. Nationally accredited by CAPTE, the program blends classroom learning with hands-on clinical experiences at local and regional healthcare facilities—giving students real-world skills that employers value.
The curriculum covers therapeutic exercises, rehabilitation techniques, soft tissue mobilization, ultrasound therapy, electrical stimulation, and more. Students gain practical knowledge while developing strong interpersonal skills crucial for patient care. The coursework requires commitment: applicants should be physically fit due to lifting requirements and have a solid background in biological sciences.

With a 100% job placement rate and an average starting salary of $48,380 just six months after graduation, Lake Area Tech’s PTA graduates enjoy outstanding career prospects both locally in northeast South Dakota and beyond. Remarkably, most students recoup their educational investment within five months of employment—a testament to the program’s affordability and demand-driven focus.

Graduates are eligible for the National Physical Therapy Exam required for licensure nationwide. Application priority deadline is December 15th each year; late applications may be waitlisted.

Unique partnerships with area universities—including articulation agreements with SDSU and USD—make it easy for students interested in further education or specialized fields like athletic training. For questions about admissions or licensure requirements outside South Dakota contact Program Supervisor Eric Fjeldheim at eric.fjeldheim@lakeareatech.edu.

Video from Lake Area Technical College

PTA Program Contact and Outcomes

Below is complete contact information for the PTA program director at Lake Area Technical College as well as links to complete data on student outcomes and more information on the Physical Therapist Assistant program.

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