Cecil College’s Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) program celebrated the Class of 2025 with a White Coat Pinning Ceremony on May 15 in the Technology Center on the North East Campus. The ceremony honored seven students who have completed rigorous coursework and clinical training. 

Cecil College launched the program in January 2015 with a five-year accreditation. Due to its stellar outcomes, the program received full ten-year accreditation in October 2021.  

Cecil’s PTA program rose to national prominence when 100 percent of its first six cohorts of graduates passed the National Physical Therapy Exam (NPTE) on their first attempt. These results exceeded the national and local averages in exam performance in all subject categories. The program currently maintains a 100 percent overall pass rate on the NPTE and a 100 percent employment rate due to its strong clinical partnerships with local physical therapy providers.

“We set the bar and standards high for our PTA students, and we are very proud of their accomplishments,” said Deanna Smith, PT, MPT, the director of the Physical Therapist Assistant Program. “In addition, 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, thus preparing them for their future careers.”

During the White Coat Ceremony, class president Jenna House expressed her class’s appreciation. 

“On behalf of my class, I would like to extend our deepest gratitude to Cecil College for providing a program that has truly opened the doors to our career futures,” House said. “We are incredibly thankful to our program instructors, whose guidance, wisdom, encouragement, and endless patience have shaped our journey in countless ways. To our clinical affiliates, your generosity in allowing us to take what we’ve learned in the classroom and apply it to real-world situations has been instrumental in our growth and confidence as future professionals. Lastly, thank you to our families, friends, and support systems. We wholeheartedly admit that we could not have achieved this level of success without your unwavering love and support.”

The students honored during the White Coat Pinning Ceremony include Joseph Denver, Darius Johnson, Harley Grevera, Jenna House, Lamont Washington, Philip Martin, and Alexa Mitros.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects the demand for PTAs will grow 19 percent through 2033, with the annual mean wage in the State of Maryland being $65,510.

If you are interested in learning more about the Physical Therapist Assistant program, please contact program director Deanna Smith at [email protected] or [email protected]. The program will start accepting applications in July 2025.