Health Sciences

Physical Therapist Assistant

The Physical Therapist Assistant is a skilled technical health-care worker who 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 interviewing for the technical portion (Phase II) of the degree.  Movement into the second phase is dependent on successful completion of the pre-PTA certificate and additional specific admissions requirements found below.

The Physical Therapist Assistant program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education.

Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education
American Physical Therapy Association
1111 North Fairfax Street
Alexandra, VA  22314-1488
(703) 684-2782
apta.org

Special Requirements

In addition to the requirements for Phase I, specific admission criteria to the Physical Therapist Assistant (Phase II) program include:

• Completion of 20 hours of observation and submission of evaluation forms and student observation paper;

• Completion of Phase I courses with a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher;

• Successful interviews by the Physical Therapist Assistant Program Admissions Committee;

• First-aid and CPR certification; and

• Acceptable criminal background check and drug screening results.

Progression

All Physical Therapist Assistant courses must be completed with a “C” or higher in order to progress in the curriculum.  No more than two courses may be repeated and no course may be repeated more than once.  All curriculum courses must be completed with a “C” or higher.

Readmission

Students who withdraw or who are unable to continue due to grades must reapply for readmission.  Readmission is not guaranteed and is on a space-available basis.  Students may re-enter the program only once and must repeat all courses in Phase II.

Major:  Physical Therapist Assistant (80 credit hours)
Degree:  Associate in Health Science

Note:  Courses denoted with @ are part of the Phase I Pre-Physical Therapist Assistant certificate program.