NORTH EAST, MD — Cecil College’s Physical Therapist Assistant program has reached its 10-year accreditation milestone after maintaining a 100% first-time licensure exam pass rate and a 100% employment rate for graduates since the program launched in 2015, underscoring growing demand for healthcare workforce training in the Mid-Atlantic region.
The college said its Physical Therapist Assistant program celebrated the anniversary last month, marking a decade since receiving accreditation and building partnerships with healthcare providers across Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Delaware.
The program’s outcomes come as demand for physical therapist assistants continues to rise. According to the Maryland Board of Physical Therapy Examiners, employment in the field is projected to grow 26% through 2032, with an average annual wage of $67,640 in Maryland.
College officials attributed the program’s performance to a combination of academic support services, clinical placements, and collaboration with other healthcare programs.
“We set the bar and standards high for our PTA students,” Program Director Deanna Smith said, adding that faculty focus on ensuring students can apply clinical knowledge rather than simply memorize material.
The program earned a 10-year accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education, or CAPTE, on its first review cycle without citations or requests for corrective action, according to the college. The accreditation remains in effect through spring 2031.
“When a program is brand new, CAPTE assesses it more frequently,” Smith said. “We have continued to demonstrate excellent outcomes with each graduating class.”
Cecil College President Mary Way Bolt said the program’s results reflect sustained efforts by faculty and staff to support student success.
The college said applications for the next Physical Therapist Assistant cohort, which begins in January 2027, will open July 1.
More information is available at www.cecil.edu/pta.
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