The Physical Therapist Assistant is a skilled technical health-care worker that carries out patient treatment programs under the supervision of a physical therapist. The assistant works to relieve pain and/or increase function in patients via therapeutic application of heat, cold, light, water, electricity, sound, massage, exercise, gait, and functional activity.
Clinical experience is provided in a variety of settings including hospitals, rehabilitation agencies, schools, private offices, and long-term care facilities.
The Physical Therapist Assistant curriculum is sequenced in a one-plus-one format that allows the student to complete the general education courses (Phase I) in a flexible format. During Phase I, the student can complete not only the academic requirements needed for the associate degree, but can also complete the observation requirements and all necessary documentation required prior to acceptance to the technical portion (Phase II) of the degree. Movement into the second phase maybe achieved by successful completion of the certificate.
In addition to the requirements for Phase I, specific admission criteria to the Physical Therapist Assistant (Phase II) program include:
Proof of completion of high school (or college equivalent) courses in algebra, biology and chemistry, with a "C" or higher.
Completion of 20 hours of observation and submission of evaluation forms and student observation paper.
Completion of Phase I courses.
Students will be interviewed by the Physical Therapist Assistant Program Admissions Committee.
First-aid and CPR certification
All Physical Therapist Assistant courses must be completed with a "C" or higher in order to progress in the curriculum. No more than two technical courses may be repeated and no course may be repeated more than once. All curriculum courses must be completed with a "C" or higher.
Students who withdraw or who are unable to continue due to grades must reapply for admission. Readmission is not guaranteed and is on a space-available basis. Students may re-enter the program only once.
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Major: Physical Therapist Assistant (80 credit hours) |
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Degree: Associate in Health Science |
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A. |
General Education Course Requirements (18 credit hours) |
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Credit Hours |
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English Composition I @ |
3.0 |
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English Composition II @ |
3.0 |
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Probability and Statistics @ |
3.0 |
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General Psychology @ |
3.0 |
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Public Speaking @ |
3.0 |
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Approved Humanities Course |
3.0 |
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Subtotal |
18.0 |
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Major courses meeting other college general education core requirements are starred (*) below. |
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B. |
Major Course Requirements (24 credit hours) |
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Credit Hours |
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Therapeutic Procedures |
2.0 |
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Pathology I |
2.0 |
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Pathology II |
2.0 |
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Electrotherapy |
2.0 |
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Therapeutic Exercises |
3.0 |
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Rehabilitation |
4.0 |
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Clinical Practice II |
3.0 |
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Physical Therapy Practicum I |
6.0 |
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Subtotal |
24.0 |
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C. |
Additional Course Requirements (38 credit hours) |
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Credit Hours |
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Medical Terminology @ |
3.0 |
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Anatomy and Physiology I *@ |
4.0 |
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Anatomy and Physiology II @ |
4.0 |
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Introduction to Computers *@ |
3.0 |
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Human Growth and Development @ |
3.0 |
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Physical Therapy Professional Preparation |
2.0 |
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Physical Therapy Modalities |
4.0 |
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Physical Therapy Functional Anatomy |
4.0 |
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Clinical Practice |
2.0 |
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Physical Therapy Practicum II |
6.0 |
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General Elective @ |
3.0 |
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Subtotal |
38.0 |
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Total Credit Hours: |
80.0 |
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Note: Courses denoted with @ are part of the Phase I Pre-Physical Therapist Assistant certificate program. |
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