Health Sciences

Pre-Physical Therapist Assistant Certificate Program

(Physical Therapist Assistant-Phase I)

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 practices and long-term care facilities.

The Physical Therapist Assistant curriculum is configured sequentially to allow 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 into 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. The “Repeat Policy” applies to coursework taken at MTC and also other colleges.

In addition to the college’s placement test, the student must meet the requirements of the Health Science “Course Repeat Policy” to be eligible for admissions to Phase I. Additional specific eligibility and admissions criteria to the Pre-Physical Therapist Assistant program include:

Acceptable eligibility and admissions criteria for Phase I:

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. Completion of Phase I with adherence to the Health Sciences “Course Repeat Policy” and earning a 2.75 GPA is required for interview eligibility to Phase II, but does not guarantee admission to Phase II.

Certificate: Pre-Physical Therapist Assistant (19 credit hours)

A. General Education Course Requirements (19 credit hours)  
     

Credit Hours

  AHS 102 Medical Terminology **

3.0

  BIO 210 Anatomy and Physiology I **

4.0

  ENG 101 English Composition I

3.0

  MAT 120 Probability and Statistics **

3.0

  PSY 201 General Psychology

3.0

  SPC 205 Public Speaking

  3.0

       
   

Total Credit Hours:

19.0

       
** Course should not be taken until the student has a date for program entry. This course is valid for 3-5 years, depending on the grade earned - (See Health Science admission requirements)
       
Recommended Additional Courses:  
     

Credit Hours

  CPT 101 Introduction to Computers

3.0

  PSY 203 Human Growth and Development

3.0

       
Although not required for completion of Phase I, it is strongly recommended that all students complete ENG-102, BIO-211 and the humanities elective prior to entering Phase II, if at all possible.