The profession needs and values both physical therapists (PTs) and physical therapist assistants (PTAs). A PTA who decides to become a physical therapist is changing careers, not "advancing" from PTA to PT.
"Bridge" programs were developed when the PT degree was at the bachelor level. Since PT education has moved to the graduate level (master's and doctoral degrees), the undergraduate physical therapy course credits obtained in the PTA curriculum cannot be applied to a graduate program. There is one remaining "bridge" program. (For more information, go to www.apta.org/CAPTE.)
However, a growing number of PTA programs are developing articulation agreements with bachelor degree programs within their institution or with other colleges/universities that lead to health-related bachelor degrees. These programs offer PTAs the opportunity to gain advanced knowledge in areas related to physical therapy (eg, business administration, education) and/or prepare the PTA to apply to a graduate program in physical therapy.
Contact the PTA programs to determine which program(s) near offer this opportunity.
For additional information, contact the PTA Services Department at PTA@apta.org.