The new program follows Mesa’s first baccalaureate degree, a Bachelor of Science in Health Information Management, and reflects the college’s continued response to documented workforce shortages in healthcare fields. With this approval, Mesa becomes the first college in the San Diego Community College District to offer two bachelor’s degree programs. Other district colleges with baccalaureate programs include San Diego City College’s Cyber Defense and Analysis (approved January 2023) and San Diego Miramar College’s Public Safety Management (approved October 2023).
Designed for licensed physical therapist assistants who have already earned an associate degree and national licensure, the program follows a two-year cohort model tailored for working professionals seeking expanded clinical knowledge and leadership preparation.
“This degree expands an affordable, place-based pathway closely aligned with regional workforce needs. It allows students to pursue high-demand careers without leaving their community or taking on unsustainable debt. In doing so, we advance social mobility, strengthen our local health workforce, and live into our equity-centered mission in a very tangible way,” said Dr. Ashanti T. Hands, president of San Diego Mesa College.
The curriculum includes advanced coursework in pharmacology, biomechanics, evidence-based practice, and healthcare leadership. Students will continue hands-on clinical training through the Mesa College Health and Wellness Community Clinic, providing rehabilitative care to uninsured or underinsured residents.
Employment of physical therapist assistants is projected to grow 16 percent through 2034, much faster than the average for all occupations, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The median annual wage for physical therapist assistants is approximately $65,000 nationwide, with higher earnings possible based on experience, setting, and geographic location.
While an associate degree remains the standard requirement for entry-level licensure, Mesa’s bachelor’s degree is designed to prepare physical therapist assistants for advanced clinical skills, specialized practice areas, and broader healthcare leadership roles.
As part of the California Community Colleges Baccalaureate Program, the degree offers students an affordable pathway to a four-year credential while helping meet regional demand for rehabilitation services.
Prospective students and community members interested in updates about the program may request information at: www.sdmesa.edu/physical-therapist-assistant