Physical Therapist Assistant
Degrees and Certificates
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Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA)
Course Descriptions
PTA 200: PT Issues and Trends
This is an introductory course to the trends and issues in physical therapy. Emphasis is placed on areas such as history, practice issues, psychosocial aspects of illness and cultural diversity. Upon completion, the student should be able to discuss trends and issues relevant to physical therapy. This is a CORE course.
Prerequisites: PTA 230, 241, 253, 260
PTA 201: PTA Seminar
This course is a continuing study of issues and trends in physical therapy practice. Emphasis is placed on issues such as licensure, job skills, board exam review, practitioner roles, legal and ethical issues. Upon completion, the student should have acquired necessary skills for transition from student to practitioner. This is a CORE course.
Prerequisites: 200, 231, 261, 266
PTA 202: PTA Communication Skills
This course is the study of verbal and nonverbal communication and documentation in health care. Emphasis will be placed on terminology, format, computer usage, reimbursement, interpersonal communication, and legal issues. Upon completion, student should be able to discuss and demonstrate communication methods for achieving effective interaction with patients, families, the public and other health care providers.
Prerequisites: Program Admission
PTA 204: PTA Forum I
This course consists of independent visits to relevant clinical and related sites and activities. Students observe and assist with sports and recreational activities and visit specialized clinical sites. By the end of the course, the student should have broad exposure to activities in which physically challenged persons participate and specialized clinical areas.
Prerequisites: PTA 200, 231, 261, 266
PTA 220: Functional Anatomy and Kinesiology
This course provides an in-depth, clinically oriented study of functional anatomy. Emphasis is placed on the musculoskeletal system, nervous system, and study of human movement. Upon completion of the course, the student should be able to identify specific anatomical structures and analyze human movements. This is a CORE course.
Prerequisites: Program Admission
PTA 222: Functional Anatomy and Kinesiology Lab
This laboratory course allows for hands-on appreciation of anatomical structures and kinesiological concepts as they relate to therapeutic exercise. Emphasis may include muscle and joint function, testing applications and therapeutic exercise. Upon completion, the student should be able to integrate content areas into an understanding of normal human movement.
Prerequisite: Program Admission
Prerequisites: Program Admission
PTA 230: Neuroscience
This course provides students with an overview of the neuroanatomy of the CNS and PNS, as it relates to treatment necessary for patients with dysfunctions of these systems. Emphasis includes the structure and function of the nervous system, neurophysiological concepts, human growth and development, neurologic dysfunctions. Upon completion of this course, the student should be able to identify and discuss specific anatomical structures, functions of the nervous system, basic concepts of human growth and development and identify neurologic pathologies. This is a CORE course.
Prerequisites: BIO 202, PTA 232, 240, 251, 290
PTA 231: Rehabilitation Techniques
This course allows for hands on appreciation of advanced rehabilitation techniques. Emphasis is on orthopedic and neurologic treatment techniques, therapeutic exercise procedures and analysis and treatment of pathologic gait. Upon completion, the student should be able to demonstrate an understanding of advanced rehabilitation techniques appropriate to orthopedic and neurologic dysfunctions. This is a CORE course.
Prerequisite: MTH100 or higher, PTA 230, 241, 253, 260
PTA 232: Orthopedics for the PTA
This course provides the student with an overview of orthopedic conditions seen in physical therapy. Emphasis is on the study of orthopedic conditions and appropriate physical therapy intervention and a review of related anatomical structures. Upon completion of the course, the student should be able to discuss PT interventions for common orthopedic conditions.
Prerequisite BIO 201, PTA 202, 220, 222, 250
PTA 240: Physical Disabilities I
This course presents the student with a body systems approach to the etiology, pathology, signs/symptoms and treatment of conditions seen in PT. Emphasis may include conditions most commonly treated in physical therapy. Upon completion, the student should be able to discuss basic pathological processes, treatment options and prognoses of conditions studied. This is a CORE course.
Prerequisites: BIO 201, PTA 202, 220, 222, 250
PTA 241: Physical Disabilities II
This course continues a body systems approach to study of common PT pathologies. Emphasis includes various neurological pathologies with additional focus on the needs of special populations. Upon completion, the student should be able to discuss PT interventions appropriate to a variety of diagnoses. This is a CORE course.
Prerequisites: BIO 202, PTA 232, 240, 251, 290
PTA 250: Therapeutic Procedures I
This laboratory course provides a hands on introduction to the principles and procedures of therapeutic physical therapy intervention. Emphasis is on basic patient care skills and procedures utilized in physical therapy. Upon completion, the student should be able to demonstrate safe and effective delivery of those procedures with an in-depth understanding of the rationale for each treatment. This is a CORE course.
Prerequisite: Program Admission
PTA 251: Therapeutic Procedures II
This laboratory course is a continued study of the principles and procedures of therapeutic PT intervention. Emphasis is on advanced physical therapy interventions and procedures and their rationale. Upon completion, the student should be able to demonstrate safe and effective delivery with an in-depth understanding of each. This is a CORE course.
Prerequisites: BIO 201, PTA 202, 220, 222, 250
PTA 253: Therapeutic Procedures III
This laboratory course is a continued study of the principles and procedures of therapeutic PT intervention. Emphasis is on specialized physical therapy interventions and procedures and their rationale. Upon completion, the student should be able to demonstrate safe and effective delivery with an in-depth understanding of each.
Prerequisites: BIO 202, PTA 232, 240, 251, 290
PTA 260: Clinical Education I
This clinical experience is designed to introduce the student to the practice of physical therapy through interaction in the health care environment. The course entails on-going communication between the clinical instructor, student and course coordinator. Upon completion of the course, the student should be able to safely and effectively apply procedures and techniques previously attained in the classroom.
PTA 232, 240, 251, and 290,
PTA 261 : Clinical Education II
This clinical class is a continuation of PTA260 which is designed to introduce the student to the practice of physical therapy through interaction in the health care environment. The course entails on-going communication between the clinical instructor, student, and course coordinator. The student will safely and effectively apply procedures and techniques previously attained in the classroom.
Prerequisites: PTA 230, 241, 253, and 260
PTA 266 : CLINICAL FIELD WORK I
This clinical course will provide an intensive and extended clinical interaction in the health care environment. The course entails on-going communication between the clinical instructor, student and course coordinator. The student will safely and effectively apply procedures and techniques previously attained in the classroom.
Prerequisites: PTA 230, 241, 253, and 260
PTA 268: Clinical Practicum
This clinical education experience allows the student to practice in the health care environment, using entry level skills attained in previous classroom instruction. The course entails on-going communication between the clinical instructor, student, and course coordinator. Upon completion of this course, the student should be able to demonstrate entry level competency in those skills necessary for functioning as a physical therapist assistant.
Prerequisites: PTA 200, 231, 261, 266
PTA 290: Therapeutic Exercise
This lab course covers exercise techniques commonly used in PTA practice. It may include aquatics, isometric, isotonic, isokinetic, plyometric, Swiss ball, and aerobic exercise. Upon completion of the course the student should have entry level skills in exercise application.
Prerequisits: BIO 201, PTA 202, 220, 222, 250
PTA 293: Directed Study for PTA
This course is designed to increase the opportunity for exploring, reading, and reporting on specific topics related to the field of physical therapy. Emphasis is placed on the development of knowledge in an area of interest to the student. The student should be able to meet the objectives of the course as approved by the instructor.
Prerequisite: Instructor Permission