Serving Southern California Since 1988
Hands-On Physical Therapy Aide Diploma · Carson, CA

Become a Physical Therapy Aide. Hands-on training in Carson.

Learn by doing: patient support, therapeutic modalities, and rehabilitation fundamentals through hands-on practice at our Carson campus, plus a 240-hour externship in a real treatment setting. Financial aid available for those who qualify.

Under 9 Mo
To your diploma
240 Hrs
Real-world externship
Day & Evening
Built for people who work
  • Hands-on training
  • Real clinical practice
  • Approved to train veterans
  • ACCSC accredited institution

Get started

Start your Physical Therapy Aide application

Reserve your seat for the next class. An admissions advisor will follow up during business hours.

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New modules start about every 4 weeks. You can enroll at the start of any module.

ACCSC AccreditedBPPE ApprovedApproved to Train VeteransFederal Aid EligibleDay & Evening Classes

Watch inside

Step inside the Physical Therapy Aide program

Watch the program overview and hear directly from our students.

Program overview
Student story: my CHAC experience

Why CHAC

Why students choose our Carson campus

Four reasons students choose California Healing Arts College.

Real rehabilitation support skills

Patient assistance, therapeutic modalities, exercise support, and physical medicine and rehabilitation fundamentals, taught by doing.

All hands-on, at the Carson campus

Small-group, in-person training on real equipment, with day and evening schedules Monday through Thursday.

240-hour externship before you graduate

Your final two modules are a 240-hour externship in an affiliated site with real patients and real treatment settings.

Serving Southern California since 1988

Approved to operate by the state of California since 1988 and accredited by ACCSC.

CHAC physical therapy aide class with exercise ball36 weeks to graduate

Is this you?

You don't just study it. You do it.

The Physical Therapy Aide track is built for people who want practical healthcare skills and direct experience supporting physical therapy professionals.

  • You want a hands-on healthcare career
  • You want to work in rehabilitation and recovery
  • You want to enter the healthcare field in under a year
  • You need flexible day or evening classes

Program overview

Everything you need to know at a glance

The CHAC Physical Therapy Aide training in Carson, CA is part of the 800 clock hour Massage Therapist & Physical Therapy Aide diploma program, completed in 36 weeks fully on campus with a 240-hour externship. Day and evening classes run Monday through Thursday, and the program is approved for the training of eligible veterans under Title 38. Federal financial aid is available for those who qualify.

Duration
36 weeks

Training
100% on campus

Schedule
Day / Evening, Mon-Thu

Externship
240 hours

Also includes
Massage therapy training + CAMTC help

Skills you'll master

Rehabilitation support skills: ready for real clinics

Physical therapy aide skills

  • Patient positioning and assistance
  • Therapeutic modalities
  • Exercise and mobility support
  • Physical medicine & rehabilitation basics
  • Body mechanics
  • Safe patient handling

Healthcare foundation skills

  • Anatomy, physiology, and pathology
  • Kinesiology
  • Medical terminology
  • Patient management
  • Indications and contraindications
  • Professional ethics and hygiene

9-module curriculum

The 9-module program (MT&PTA)

Nine modules over 36 weeks at the Carson campus, then a 240-hour externship. The combined program trains you for both physical therapy aide and massage therapy roles.

01

MT&PTA 100

Medical Terminology for Massage Therapists

02

MT&PTA 101

Fundamentals of Therapeutic Massage

03

MT&PTA 102

Anatomy & Physiology

04

MT&PTA 103

Patient Management for Massage Therapy

05

MT&PTA 104

Therapeutic Modalities

06

MT&PTA 105

Introduction to Massage thru Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

07

MT&PTA 106

Sports Massage Therapy

08

MT&PTA 115

Externship 1: 120 hours

09

MT&PTA 117

Externship 2: 120 hours

One combined diploma program: the Massage Therapist & Physical Therapy Aide (MT&PTA) program trains you for both massage therapy and physical therapy aide roles. CAMTC note: certification requires 100% of total clock hours, and more than eight absences may disqualify a student, so every hour counts. Additional hours are required per module for homework and class preparation. See the CHAC School Catalog for the full outline.

Hands-on training

Real equipment. Real practice. Real confidence.

CHAC physical therapy aide class at the Carson campus
Exercise support practice
Therapeutic techniques practice

Career opportunities

Where CHAC Physical Therapy Aide graduates can work

Graduates can pursue entry-level positions in physical therapy and rehabilitation settings across Southern California.

Physical Therapy Aide
Hospital PT Departments
Chiropractic Offices
Sports Medicine & Orthopedic Clinics
Rehabilitation Centers
Health Spas

Career support included

You're not on your own after graduation.

  • Resume preparation and coaching
  • Job-seeking skills training
  • Interview coaching
  • Job leads after program completion

Get career support details

Job titles vary by employer and may require additional licenses or certifications. CHAC provides career assistance but does not guarantee employment.

Tuition & financial aid

Multiple ways to pay

CHAC is authorized to offer federal grants and loans to qualified students. Our Financial Aid Office reviews your options with you one-on-one.

Federal Pell Grant

For those who qualify: federal grant aid that does not have to be repaid. We help you complete the FAFSA.

Federal Student Loans

Federal Stafford Loans are available to eligible students through the U.S. Department of Education.

Veterans Education

This program is approved under Title 38, United States Code, to train eligible persons and veterans.

Ask Financial Aid

Not sure if you qualify? Submit the form and our Financial Aid Office will review your options with you.

Financial aid is available to those who qualify. Eligibility is determined per student by the Financial Aid Office. Tuition, fees, and total program charges are listed in the current CHAC School Catalog and Enrollment Agreement.

Enrollment process

From form to first day in 4 steps

1

Submit the form

Name and phone. Takes 60 seconds.

2

Admissions call

An advisor follows up about questions, start dates, and funding eligibility.

3

Tour the campus

Visit Carson, see the labs, and meet with an admissions representative.

4

Enroll & start

Complete your application, finalize funding, and arrive for Day 1.

Campus location

Carson Campus

California Healing Arts CollegeCampus details

Address500 E. Carson Plaza Drive, Suite 103, Carson, CA 90746
Class hoursMon-Thu · 8:00 am to 1:00 pm or 5:30 pm to 10:30 pm (day & evening)
VeteransApproved under Title 38, U.S. Code, to train eligible persons and veterans
Approximately 7,000 sq ft of modern, air-conditioned space with fully equipped labs and lecture rooms, a computer lab with a one-to-one student-to-computer ratio, a student virtual library, and a wheelchair-accessible facility.
CHAC students at the Carson campusOutside the CHAC Carson campus

Enrollment questions

Answers to what you're wondering

How long is the Physical Therapy Aide program in Carson?

800 clock hours over 36 weeks: nine modules, including a 240-hour externship. Graduates earn a diploma in under 9 months.

Is this a separate program from Massage Therapy?

No. CHAC offers one combined Massage Therapist & Physical Therapy Aide diploma program. You graduate trained for both roles, which widens your job options.

Is the program online?

No. This program is fully hands-on and taught in person at our Carson campus, on real equipment in real practice sessions.

What jobs can I get after the program?

Entry-level positions such as Physical Therapy Aide, Chiropractic Assistant, and Orthopedic Assistant in hospital PT departments, chiropractic offices, sports medicine and orthopedic clinics, rehabilitation centers, and health spas. Employment is not guaranteed.

What are the class schedules?

Classes run Monday through Thursday, with a morning session from 8:00 am to 1:00 pm and an evening session from 5:30 pm to 10:30 pm. New modules start about every 4 weeks, and you can enroll at the start of any module.

Can I use veterans education benefits?

Yes, if you are eligible. This program is approved under Title 38, United States Code, to train eligible persons and veterans. Verify your benefits with Admissions.

Is financial aid available?

Yes, for those who qualify. CHAC is authorized to offer federal grants and loans, including Federal Pell Grants and Federal Stafford Loans. Our Financial Aid Office reviews your options with you one-on-one.

Is CHAC accredited?

Yes. California Healing Arts College is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC) and approved to operate by the California Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education (BPPE).

Your future starts now

Ready to enroll in the Physical Therapy Aide program at Carson?

Submit the form and an admissions advisor will follow up during business hours with the next start date and your aid options.

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