By Eric Stock

NORMAL – Heartland Community College has a new course offering that’s intended to help a growing profession in Illinois.

Heartland’s new physical therapist assistant program will begin in the spring.

“I think there’s a tremendous excitement in the community and there’s certainly a tremendous excitement here at Heartland Community College in having the ability to provide this program,” program coordinator Daryl Menke said.

He cited surveys which show demand for physical therapist assistants will grow 40 percent nationally over the next five years.

“This is an extremely positive thing for our community,” Menke said, adding that physical therapy assistant ranks among the 50 fastest-growing occupations in Illinois.

The program recently received accreditation following a process that Menke said dates back to 2012 when a group of community stakeholders and HCC officials determined through strategic planning there was a need for a physical therapy program in the area.

Seven students have already been accepted into the program and nine more will be chosen. Heartland has arranged for students to take internships at 31 clinic sites across Central Illinois.

Students have to complete 23 hours of general education coursework before getting into the program

Eric Stock can be reached at [email protected].