NORTH EAST, MD — Cecil College honored its 2026 Physical Therapist Assistant graduating class during a White Coat Pinning Ceremony held Thursday at the Technology Center on the college’s North East campus, marking the completion of the program’s academic and clinical training requirements.
The ceremony recognized students completing the college’s accredited Physical Therapist Assistant program as healthcare providers nationwide continue to face demand for rehabilitation and mobility-care professionals.
Cecil College launched the PTA program in January 2015 with an initial five-year accreditation before receiving full 10-year accreditation in October 2021 following what the college described as strong long-term outcomes.
“Today’s pinning ceremony recognizes not only the academic achievements of our Physical Therapist Assistant graduates, but also their commitment to compassionate patient care and professional excellence,” Dr. Nancy Norman-Marzella, dean of health, human and business sciences at Cecil College, said in a statement.
Norman-Marzella added that the program’s “outstanding licensure exam results and employment outcomes” reflect the work of students, faculty, and clinical partners as graduates prepare to enter the healthcare workforce.
According to the college, 100% of graduates from the program’s first six cohorts passed the National Physical Therapy Exam on their first attempt, outperforming national and regional averages across all testing categories.
The program currently maintains a 100% overall pass rate on the National Physical Therapy Exam and a 100% employment rate, which the college attributed to clinical partnerships with regional physical therapy providers.
“We set the bar and standards high for our PTA students, and we are very proud of their accomplishments,” Physical Therapist Assistant Program Director Deanna Smith said in a statement. “Our faculty are dedicated to their success and spend a significant amount of time with the students to ensure they understand, and can apply, not just memorize, the material.”
The college said the next application cycle for the Physical Therapist Assistant program will open in July 2026.
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