Associate in Science - Physical Therapist Assistant

Program Description

The Associate in Science degree in Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA-AS) provides the student with a broad foundation in all areas of technical health care and prepares the student to seek employment as a Physical Therapy Assistant. The program uses a combination of lecture, laboratory, simulation, and clinical instruction.

Program Information

This program is a limited access program, which means program admission and course registration are restricted to a limited number of students each semester due to accreditation requirements addressing student-faculty ratios and clinical resources. A student first will be admitted to Pensacola State College, and after satisfying all admission requirements for this program, the student is considered for admission to the PTA-AS program. Application Pathways exist for students who have been admitted to the College and must complete any of the admission requirements.  Students who do not have an earned Associate in Arts degree or earned baccalaureate degree may be placed in the Associate in Arts Pre-Physical Therapist Assistant Advising Track. Students who have an earned Associate in Arts degree or earned baccalaureate degree may be classified as non-degree seeking. 

The Associate in Science degree in Physical Therapist Assistant accepts 20 students each Fall semester. 

The graduate of the program that is seeking to become a licensed physical therapist assistant must be approved by the licensing authority (board) in the state or jurisdiction in which the graduate intends to be licensed and successfully complete the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE).

Program Approval and Accreditation

The PTA-AS program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE). 3030 Potomac Avenue, Suite 100, Alexandria, VA 22305-3085.

Phone: [phone]

http://www.capteonline.org

Program Admission Requirements

• High School Diploma or GED
• College Application
• Minimum grade of "C" or better and 2.75 GPA on Program Specific General Education Prerequisite Courses.

When the student has met the program admission requirements, the student’s application is evaluated by the Office of Admissions and ranked according to the date on which the student completed the final requirement. Students are selected in that rank order.

 

Program Progression Requirements

Progression through the Associate in Science degree in Physical Therapist Assistant program requires the following:

• A grade of C or higher in courses in the curriculum
• Earn a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or better in all courses applicable to the program of study.
• Satisfactory completion of clinical requirements which include the following:

• Level II FDLE background screen;
• Urine drug screen;
• Immunizations and Vaccines; and

• Current American Heart Association Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers Certification or American Red Cross Basic Life Support/CPR for Healthcare Providers Certification.

Program Completion Requirements

• Earn a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or better in all courses applicable to the program of study.
• Meet the academic residence requirement of completing at least 25% of the program with classes at Pensacola State College.

 Program Contact:

Dr. Mitzie Sowell

Department Head, Allied Health 

[phone]

[e-mail]

Degree Requirements

Prerequisite Courses (14 cc)

Students must complete prerequisite courses with a C or better to be accepted into the Physical Therapist Assistant Program.

BSC 2085	Human Anatomy and Physiology I	3 cc
BSC 2085L	Human Anatomy and Physiology I Laboratory	1 cc
BSC 2086	Human Anatomy and Physiology II	3 cc
BSC 2086L	Human Anatomy and Physiology II Laboratory	1 cc
ENC 1101	English Composition I	3 cc
MAC 1105	College Algebra	3 cc

Term 1 (18 cc)

PHT 1000	Introduction to Physical Therapy	3 cc
PHT 1120	Functional Anatomy and Kinesiology	3 cc
PHT 1120L	Functional Anatomy and Kinesiology Laboratory	2 cc
PHT 1251	Basic Skills in Patient Care	2 cc
PHT 1251L	Basic Skills in Patient Care Laboratory	2 cc
See Choices	Humanities (General Education Core Course)	3 cc
See Choices	Social Sciences (General Education Core Course)	3 cc

Before the start of Term 2, students must possess and maintain a Healthcare Providers CPR card, American Heart or Red Cross only. Certification can be earned be successfully completing W 00753 CPR for Healthcare Providers.

Term 2 (14 cc)

PHT 1210C	Therapeutic Modalities	3 cc
PHT 1224	Musculoskeletal Therapeutic Techniques I	3 cc
PHT 1224L	Musculoskeletal Therapeutic Techniques I Laboratory	2 cc
PHT 1253	Neuromuscular Therapeutic Techniques I	3 cc
PHT 1253L	Neuromuscular Therapeutic Techniques I Laboratory	2 cc
PHT 1801L	PTA Clinic I	1 cc

Term 3 (15 cc)

PHT 2162	Neuromuscular Therapeutic Techniques II	1 cc
PHT 2162L	Neuromuscular Therapeutic Techniques II Laboratory	2 cc
PHT 2227C	Musculoskeletal Therapeutic Techniques II	3 cc
PHT 2301	Pathological Conditions in Physical Therapy I	3 cc
PHT 2810L	PTA Clinic II	6 cc

Term 4 (13 cc)

PHT 2020	Trends and Issues in PTA	2 cc
PHT 2304	Pathological Conditions in Physical Therapy II	3 cc
PHT 2401	Psychosocial Issues of the Disabled	2 cc
PHT 2820L	PTA Clinic III	6 cc

Total Credit Hours: 74