BENTON HARBOR, Mich. -- Lake Michigan College will be introducing a new Physical Therapist Assistant program at an open house at their South Haven Campus on 125 Veterans Boulevard. Those considering a career in health care can come to meet faculty and staff, learn about the program, and tour the campus' new lab.

The open house does not require any registration to attend and will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 11 from 6 to 7:30 p.m.

LMC, which already hosts a variety of health science degrees, developed the Physical Therapist Assistant program in response to strong employer demand and limited PTA training options in Southwest Michigan.

The program will be open for applications in the spring of 2027 to its first class of 18 students for the following fall semester. Candidates seeking to become one of these students must first complete 25 credit hours of prerequisite and general education courses.

Candidates must then be evaluated through a selective admission process based on grade point average, direct patient care experience, physical therapy observation hours, and more.

Graduates of the Physical Therapist Assistant program will earn an Associate in Applied Science Degree and become eligible to take the National Physical Therapy Examination for licensure. If they succeed, they can work with patients under the supervision of a licensed physical therapist.