South Arkansas College

Location: El Dorado, Arkansas
Program: Physical Therapist Assistant
Rating: 4.9

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 South Arkansas College. Page updated: July 1st, 2025

Program Length

2 years (5 semesters)

Program Type

Associate in Applied Science Degree

Delivery Method

On-Campus

Total Program Cost

$2,748

Graduation Rate

52%

Licensure Rate

96%

Employment Rate

95%

Application Dates

Apply Online

Accreditation

CAPTE

Student Rating

4.9

South Arkansas College PTA Program Overview

The Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) program at South Arkansas College in El Dorado, AR, offers a comprehensive pathway for students seeking a hands-on healthcare career. The program awards an Associate of Applied Science degree and follows a 1 + 1 format: students first complete 32 semester hours of prerequisite courses before applying to the technical phase. Once admitted, the technical curriculum spans three consecutive semesters (summer through spring), with full-time daytime classes and clinical internships totaling 30-40 hours per week.
Enrollment is competitive—only 20 students are accepted annually into the technical phase. Graduates are eligible to sit for the national licensure examination required to practice as PTAs. The program boasts accreditation by CAPTE (Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education), ensuring high educational standards and strong employment outcomes.

Tuition at SouthArk is among the most affordable in Arkansas, making it accessible for local residents and those from neighboring regions like northern Louisiana or east Texas. Students also benefit from small class sizes, personalized instruction from experienced faculty such as Dr. Samuel Allen (Program Director) and Kelly Goodwin (Clinical Coordinator), and access to state-of-the-art facilities within SouthArk’s Health Science Center.

Located in El Dorado—a city known for its vibrant downtown arts scene—the college provides both quality education and opportunities for community engagement. For those interested in allied health careers close to home, South Arkansas College’s PTA program offers excellent preparation with proven results in licensure pass rates and job placement after graduation.

Video from South Arkansas College

PTA Program Contact and Outcomes

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

Director

Samuel Allen PT, DPT

Email

sallen@southark.edu

Phone

(870) 862-8131

Address

300 South West Avenue PO Box 7010 El Dorado, AR 71730-5936

Outcomes

View

Website

Visit

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