Associate in Applied Science Degree
Physical Therapist Assistant
Physical Therapist Assistant Course Descriptions
Dean: Dr. Shirley Wendel
Coordinator: Wanda Peresic, PT, DPT, MS
Full Time Faculty
Linda Clarkson, PTA, BA
Lori Slettehaugh, PT, MS
Dr. Tiffany Bohm, PT, DPT, HS
The Physical Therapist Assistant is a skilled paraprofessional health care worker who has completed an Associate of Applied Science Degree from an accredited education program approved by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education.
Physical therapist assistants work under the direction and supervision of a physical therapist in the delivery of physical therapy services. Their duties include assisting the physical therapist in implementing treatment programs according to the physical therapist's plan of care, educating and instructing patients in exercise and activities of daily living, providing treatments using special equipment, administering modalities and other treatment procedures, and reporting to the physical therapist on the patient's responses. Upon completion of the program, the student is eligible to take the licensure examination.
Students interested in the program must contact the program coordinator who can provide a brochure which explains the Physical Therapist Assistant program, the program requirements, policies, and tuition and fees.
General Information
Students applying for admission to the Physical Therapist Assistant Program must comply with regular requirements for admission to the College and meet criteria indicating ability to succeed in Physical Therapist Assistant courses. Contact the Physical Therapist Assistant Program Office early for admission criteria and program application procedures. Application deadline is April 15 for Fall enrollment and August 15 for Spring enrollment.
General Education Requirements
College Requirement - All first time degree-seeking students who score 75 or above on the ACCUPLACER reading exam are required to take HUDV0100, Freshman Orientation (1 credit hour). All degree-seeking students who score below 75 on the ACCUPLACER reading exam will take HUDV 101, Strategies for Academic Excellence/Lifelong Learning (2 credit hours). (See exemptions)
| Course Number |
Course Title |
Hours |
| Basic Skill Requirements |
| ENGL 101 |
Composition I |
3 |
| ENGL 102 |
Composition II** |
3 |
SPCH 151
SPCH 153 |
Public Speaking or
Interpersonal Communication |
3 |
| Total |
9 |
| Humanities Requirement |
| PHIL 206 |
Ethics |
3 |
| Total |
3 |
| Social and Behavioral Science Requirement |
| PSYC 101 |
Psychology |
3 |
| PSYC 203 |
Human Development |
3 |
| Total |
6 |
| Mathematics Requirements |
| MATH 104 |
Intermediate Algebra |
3 |
| Total |
3 |
| Natural and Physical Science courses |
BIOL 141
BIOL 143 |
Human Anatomy and Laboratory or
Human Anatomy & Physiology (with lab) |
4-5 |
| BIOL 271 |
Physiology* |
3 |
| BIOL 272 |
Physiology Laboratory* |
1 |
| BIOL 285 |
Introduction to Pathophysiology |
4 |
| Total |
12-13 |
| Total General Education requirement |
34-36 |
| Physical Therapy Assistant Requirements |
| PHTR 115 |
First Aid |
2 |
| PHTR 130 |
Introduction to Physical Therapy*** |
2 |
| PHTR 160 |
Kinesiology for the Physical Therapist Assistant** |
5 |
| PHTR 170 |
Fundamentals of Treatment Procedures** |
5 |
| PHTR 175 |
Clinical Experience I** |
1 |
| PHTR 185 |
Clinical Experience II** |
2 |
| PHTR 250 |
Rehabilitation I** |
5 |
| PHTR 260 |
Advanced Treatment Procedures** |
5 |
| PHTR 270 |
Clinical Seminar** |
3 |
| PHTR 266 |
Clinical Experience III** |
2 |
| PHTR 280 |
Rehabilitation II** |
3 |
| PHTR 285 |
Clinical Experience IV** |
4 |
| PHTR 286 |
Clinical Experience V** |
4 |
| Total Physical Therapist Assistant Requirements |
43 |
| Total hours required for an Associate in Applied Science in Physical Therapist Assistant Degree |
77-79 |
*Strong background in high school chemistry or General Chemistry CHEM 109 is necessary.
*See course description for prerequisite.
Note: Anatomy and Physiology courses completed more than seven (7) years prior to admission must be repeated.
***Open to any student interested in the program. Students must be accepted into the program to complete the remaining courses.