Lake Michigan College introduces new Physical Therapist Assistant program

Lake Michigan College has a new Physical Therapist Assistant program that will begin with its first cohort of students in 2027. The program, which features selective admission, will award those who complete the program with an Associate of Applied Science degree. The program will be introduced officially during an open house on campus on November 11, 2025, from 6:00 to 7:30pm. The open house’s location is 125 Veterans Blvd in South Haven, Michigan.

According to an article on Lake Michigan College’s website, Dr. LaToya Mason, who serves as the college’s Dean of Health Sciences, was quoted as saying of the reason for establishing the program, "We saw a clear need. Despite strong demand from local healthcare employers, there are limited PTA training programs in the region. Given our experience delivering high-quality, accredited health care programs, this was a natural fit for Lake Michigan College."

Students who complete the program will earn an Associate of Applied Science degree, and then will be able to sit for the National Physical Therapy Examination in order to become a licensed physical therapist assistant who is eligible to work under a licensed physical therapist.

As the program is a selective admission program, only 18 students will be admitted each year in the semester. Student acceptance will be based on the student’s grade point average, as well as observation hours and having completed experiences in direct patient care. 

Dr. Susan Tomica, who is the Director of the Physical Therapist Assistant program, suggests that students who may be interested in applying for the program start planning their observation hours and patient care experiences as soon as possible.

She said, “Students need to complete 25 credit hours of prerequisite and general education courses before applying for admission to the Physical Therapist Assistant program. People hoping to enter the program can begin taking those classes as soon as the upcoming Spring semester to be ready when we open our first application pool in the spring of 2027.”

In addition to the new Physical Therapist Assistant program, the college also has several other healthcare programs to help fill the need for qualified healthcare providers in the community. Other healthcare programs include Certified Nurse Aide, Diagnostic Medical Sonography, Medical Assisting, Nursing, Pharmacy Technician, Phlebotomy, and Radiologic Technologist.

The upcoming open house event is intended to build interest for the new Physical Therapist Assistant program, as well as for all of the college’s healthcare program offerings. At the event, faculty will hold tours of the new lab, which is located on the second floor of the college’s South Haven campus. 

For more information about Lake Michigan College, visit the school’s website.