Health Sciences

Pre-Physical Therapist Assistant Certificate Program

(Physical Therapist Assistant-Phase I)

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 practices 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 general education 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.  Students must academically qualify to be considered for acceptance to Phase II of the curriculum.

Special Requirements

All courses must be completed with a “C” or greater in each course.  No more than two courses may be repeated and no course may be repeated more than once

In addition to the college’s placement test, specific admission criteria to the Pre-Physical Therapist Assistant program include:

• Acceptable admission criteria:

  • HOBET 50 percent composite (minimum reading 50 percent; mathematics 50 percent; algebra 50 percent) and Midlands Technical College writing sample score of 30; or

  • SAT 910 (minimum verbal 430, mathematics 440) and MTC writing sample score of 30; or

  • Successful completion of the Pre-Health Care certificate with a 2.5 GPA and “C” or higher in each course.

• High school diploma or equivalent

• High school or college credits in biology, algebra, chemistry, and physics are recommended.

NOTE:  Admission to the first phase of the program at Midlands Technical College does not guarantee admission to the second phase.