Physical Therapist Assistant, A.A.S.

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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. Learn more by reviewing the Physical Therapist Program Admissions Information and Application Procedures handbook.

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.

I. 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 transfer credit

Area E: Social and Behavioral Sciences (3 credits)

PSYCH 102 Human Growth and Development: Life Span 3 hrs transfer credit

II. Area of Concentration (58)

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

BIOL 222 Human Anatomy and Physiology II 4 hrs transfer 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 credit
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 and Data Collection IV 3 hrs credit
PTA 220 Contemporary Topics in Physical Therapy 2 hrs credit
PTA 230 Physical Agents 4 hrs credit
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