Catalog Addendum

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Below are listed additions and corrections to the 2020-2021 Prairie State Catalog since its publication on 05 May 2020. All corrections listed below will appear in the 2021-2022 catalog sections.

This page was last updated on 29 March 2021

03/29/2021 updates:

Credit for College Courses through Proficiency Testing

Proficiency exams are designed for students who have substantial knowledge (without college credit) in a given area.  Prairie State College recognizes that individuals engage in learning activities outside the formal classroom setting.  Individuals may receive college credit for these learning experiences by successfully completing a proficiency test and thereby demonstrating the depth of the knowledge they have acquired. Proficiency information is available for many courses offered at Prairie State College. For more information, please see the Proficiency Testing Information Handbook or contact Lisa Hansen at ahansen@prairiestate.edu.

12/16/2020 updates:

PTA Course Descriptions:

PTA 100 Introduction to Physical Therapy 1 hr credit
Course Description: This course provides an overview of the profession of physical therapy, the role of the physical therapist assistant in different physical therapy practice settings and areas of treatment and their relationship with other health care professionals.  Topics included in this course are adhering to legal and ethical practice standards, performing duties consistent with expectations within the profession and with the core professional documents of the APTA.  This course will also include an introduction to communication and documentation in healthcare as well as evidence based practice.

PTA 102  Introduction to PT Skills 4 hrs credit
Course Description: This course will introduce the theory, application and documentation of basic physical therapy patient care skills, interventions and data collection skills performed under the direction and supervision of a licensed physical therapist.  The course also covers medical emergencies and the role of the physical therapist assistant as well as CPR training.

PTA 103 Kinesiology for the Physical Therapist Assistant 4 hrs credit
Course Description: This course will focus on the anatomical, physiological and mechanical principles as they are applied to human movement.  Principles and skills of palpation, goniometry and manual muscles testing will also be covered in this course.

PTA 110 Conditions, Diseases and Disorders 3 hrs credit
Course Description: This course covers conditions, diseases, and disorders commonly encountered in the field of physical therapy. Students will be introduced to concepts of both medical and physical therapy screening and diagnosis. Instruction will address pathology of disease within selected systems of the human body and how this pathology may impact the delivery of physical therapy interventions.

PTA 120 Introduction to Therapeutic Exercise 4 hrs credit
Course Description: This course covers the foundational concepts of therapeutic exercise and related data collection techniques including, but not limited to stretching, range of motion, resistance training, balance and coordination, breathing exercises, aerobic capacity and endurance training, and aquatic exercise.   This course will also include the topics of prevention, health and wellness as well as patient education, communication and documentation as they apply to the application of interventions and data collection techniques covered in this course.

PTA 130 Therapeutic Interventions and Data Collection I 4 hrs credit
Course Description: This course will introduce the theory, application and documentation of therapeutic interventions and data collection techniques related to adult, adolescent and pediatric neurologic conditions, diseases and disorders that are performed by the physical therapist assistant under the direction and supervision of a licensed physical therapist.

PTA 150 Therapeutic Interventions and Data Collection II 3 hrs credits
Course Description: This course will introduce the theory, application and documentation of therapeutic interventions and data collection techniques related to cardiopulmonary conditions, diseases and disorders that are performed by the physical therapist assistant under the direction and supervision of a licensed physical therapist.  The therapeutic management of common conditions, disorders and pathologies of the geriatric population will also be explored.

PTA 170 Clinical Experience Prep for Physical Therapist Assistant Students 5 hrs credit
Course Description: This course will cover policies and procedures as well as topics, case studies and lab activities related to clinical education courses.  Physical therapist assistant students will participate in an introductory off- campus clinical experience during this course.

PTA 200 Therapeutic Interventions and Data Collection III 4 hrs credit
Course Description: This course will introduce the theory, application and documentation of therapeutic interventions and data collection techniques related to adult, adolescent and pediatric musculoskeletal conditions, diseases and disorders that are performed by the physical therapist assistant under the direction and supervision of a licensed physical therapist.

PTA 210 Therapeutic Interventions and Data Collection IV 3 hrs credit
Course Description: This course will introduce the theory, application and documentation of therapeutic interventions and data collection techniques performed by the physical therapist assistant under the direction and supervision of a licensed physical therapist.  Conditions, diseases and disorders of the endocrine, metabolic, integumentary, lymphatic, renal systems  across the lifespan are covered. Conditions, diseases and disorders that affect multiple body systems will also be covered.

PTA 220 Contemporary Topics in Physical Therapy 2 hrs credit
Course Description: This course will cover current topics and trends in the physical therapy field.  Portions of this course may be presented by guest speakers.

PTA 230 Physical Agents 4 hrs credits
Course Description: This course will introduce the theory, application and documentation of physical agents used in physical therapy by the PTA under the direction and supervision of a licensed physical therapist. Emphasis is placed on understanding the physiological effects, indications and contraindications and competent application of the physical agent as part of an established plan of care.

PTA 270 Career Prep for the Physical Therapist Assistant Student 2 hrs credit
Course Description: This course will cover a variety of topics related to entering the field of physical therapy as a physical therapist assistant.   Topics covered include but are not limited to job interviews, developing a resume and cover letter, preparing to take the NPTE, lifelong learning, volunteer work, advocacy and leadership.  PTA students will complete a mock NPTE exam on campus as part of this course.

PTA 297 Clinical Practicum I 6 hrs credit
Course Description: In this clinical education course, the physical therapist assistant student will apply all previous didactic and clinical knowledge gained in the program in a patient care setting working under the supervision of a PT at an off-campus facility.  Physical therapist assistant students will participate in this off-campus clinical experience for 7 weeks. Students will return to campus for 1 week after the off-campus clinical experience to complete activities related to their off-campus learning experience.

PTA 299 Clinical Practicum II 5  hrs credit
Course Description: In this terminal clinical education course the PTA  will apply all previous didactic and clinical knowledge gained as they work towards independently functioning as a physical therapist assistant working under the supervision of a  licensed physical therapy clinician at an off campus facility.  PTA students will participate in this off campus clinical experience for 8 weeks.

12/14/2020 updates:

Changes in Department/Program

A new program is added:

Physical Therapist Assistant, A.A.S.

This program prepares students for a career in the physical therapy field as a physical therapist assistant.  The program combines courses in general education and physical therapist assistant technical courses with off campus clinical education learning experiences.  PTA technical courses must be completed in sequence. Students will master selected skills in data collection and interventions commonly used in different physical therapy settings.  Graduates of the Associate of Applied Science degree program may apply to take the National Physical Therapy Exam (NPTE) for licensure as a physical therapist assistant.

Please note that the Physical Therapist Assistant program has special admissions requirements.  Contact Enrollment Services to obtain a copy of admissions requirements.

Prior to admission into the PTA Program, students must complete all admissions requirements including completing BIOL 221 Human Anatomy and Physiology I and ENG 101 Composition I with a grade of C or better. 

General Education Core (16)

Area A: Communication (6 credits)

• ENG 101   Composition I 3 hrs transfer credit - with a grade of C or better
• COMM 101   Principles of Communication 3 hrs transfer credit

Area B: Humanities and Fine Arts (3 credits)
Select one course from Area B

Area C:  Mathematics (demonstrated competence required)
Successful completion of MATH 090   or MATH 091   with a C or better or a placement into MATH 095   or higher

Area D:  Physical and Life Sciences (4 credits)

• BIOL 221   Human Anatomy and Physiology I 4 hrs credits

Area E:  Social and Behavioral Sciences (3 credits)

• PSYCH 102   Human Growth and Development: Life Span 3 hrs credits

Area of Concentration (57)
(courses must be completed with a grade of C or better)

• BIOL 222   Human Anatomy and Physiology II 4 hrs credit
• PTA 100 Introduction to Physical Therapy 1 hr credit
• PTA 102  Introduction to PT Skills 4 hrs credit
• PTA 103 Kinesiology for the Physical Therapist Assistant 4 hrs credit
• PTA 110 Conditions, Diseases and Disorders 3 hrs credit
• PTA 120 Introduction to Therapeutic Exercise 4 hrs credit
• PTA 130 Therapeutic Interventions and Data Collection I 4 hrs credit
• PTA 150 Therapeutic Interventions and Data Collection II 3 hrs credits
• PTA 170 Clinical Experience Prep for Physical Therapist Assistant Students 5 hrs credit
• PTA 200 Therapeutic Interventions and Data Collection III 4 hrs credit
• PTA 210 Therapeutic Interventions amd Data Collection IV 3 hrs credit
• PTA 220 Contemporary Topics in Physical Therapy 2 hrs credit
• PTA 230 Physical Agents 4 hrs credits
• PTA 270 Career Prep for the Physical Therapist Assistant Student 2 hrs credit
• PTA 297 Clinical Practicum I 6 hrs credit
• PTA 299 Clinical Practicum II 5  hrs credit

Program Total:  74 credits

09/29/2020 updates:

Changes in Department/Program

Information Technology - Programming

These courses were dropped (as of 2017-18):

ITPRG 142

ITPRG 242

Below are listed additions and corrections to the 2019-2020 Prairie State Catalog since its publication on 13 May 2019. All corrections listed below will appear in the 2020-2021 catalog sections.

12/10/2019 updates:

Changes by Department/Program

Dental Assisting

Dental Assisting Certificate :  

The Program Requirements should read:

Math Competency – Placement into MATH 095 or completion of MATH 090 with a grade of C or better

General Education Core:

• COMM 101 Principles of Communication 3 hrs transfer credit

• ENG 101 Composition I 3 hrs transfer credit

• PSYCH 101 Introduction to Psychology 3 hrs transfer credit

Area of Concentration (courses must be completed with a grade of C or higher):

• DA 101 Introduction to Dental Assisting 2 hrs credit

• DA 102 Dental Office Management 2 hrs credit

• DA 103 Chairside Dental Assisting 4 hrs credit

• DA 104 Dental Radiology 4 hrs credit

• DA 105 Related Dental Sciences 1 hr credit

• DA 106 Dental Materials for the Dental Assistant 4 hrs credit

• DA 201 Dental Material II - Expanded Functions 4 hrs credit

• DA 202 Dental Specialties 4 hrs credit

• DA 299 Clinical Applications 7 hrs credit

DA 101   – Introduction to Dental Assisting:

The course description should read:

Prerequisite: Acceptance into the Dental Assisting Program.
2 lectures per week: 2 hrs credit
The course will cover an introduction to the field of dentistry and the different occupations within dentistry. Preventative dentistry concepts with emphasis on diet, nutrition and proper home care will be elaborated. Infection control, personal protection, medical emergencies, first aid and ethics will be discussed as it is related to the practice of dental assisting. General and oral anatomy, histology and embryology, microbiology and dental diseases will also be included.