SCC PTA Program achieves national distinction & student honored with prestigious APTA award

Published on Jan 5, 2026

Somerset Community College’s (SCC) Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) Program celebrates a historic year of achievement, earning national recognition for both program excellence and student success. The PTA Class of 2025 achieved a 100% first-attempt pass rate on the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE)— according to The Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy, a distinction achieved by only about 6% of PTA programs nationwide. This exceptional outcome places SCC’s program tied as the top PTA program in the United States for 2025. 

In addition to exam excellence, the SCC PTA Program maintains a 100% employment rate for graduates who have passed their NPTE, a record sustained every year since 2004. This long-standing achievement reflects the program’s commitment to preparing highly skilled, workforce-ready clinicians who make an immediate impact in their communities. 

Adding to this year’s accomplishments, student Parashar Joshi has been named the 2026 APTA Academy of Orthopedic Physical Therapy Outstanding PTA Student, one of the most prestigious national honors available to PTA students. Parashar will be formally recognized at the APTA Combined Sections Meeting (CSM) in Anaheim, California, where he will be celebrated alongside the top professionals and educators in the field. 

Parashar currently works at Bluegrass Orthopaedics Outpatient Physical Therapy Clinic in Lexington, Kentucky, and hopes to continue his career there after graduation. Known for his professionalism, clinical excellence, and genuine passion for patient care, he represents the values and standards that define the SCC PTA Program. 

“Parashar consistently demonstrates the professionalism, leadership, and clinical skill that define our program’s national reputation. His dedication to learning and patient care sets him apart, and I have no doubt he will make a positive and lasting impact as a Physical Therapist Assistant.” Corey Moore, PT, DPT, Program Director & Assistant Professor, SCC PTA Program 

With national recognition, exceptional student outcomes, and award-winning graduates, the SCC PTA Program continues to solidify its reputation as one of the premier PTA programs in the country, preparing the next generation of clinicians to excel in a rapidly evolving healthcare landscape. 

Dr. Ron Meade, SCC’s newest Provost, played a pivotal role in establishing the PTA program as a model of excellence during his tenure at SCC in the Health Sciences Department. Reflecting on the program’s progress, he remarked, “I am so proud of the legacy this program is leaving on our community. The program is a regional and national model of excellence.” 

If you are interested in studying PTA at SCC check out the PTA program webpage or follow this link for time and locations of the PTA pre-admission conferences. Application deadline for PTA is April 1, 2026.