Kansas City Kansas Community College

Physical Therapist Assistant

Associate in Applied Science Degree

Physical Therapist Assistant

Course Descriptions

Dean: Dr. Shirley Wendel

Interim Coordinator:   Dr. Tiffany Bohm - PT, DPT, HS

  Dr. Daryl Menke, PT, DPT, MCMT

  Lori Slettehaugh, PT, MS

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.

Since the transferability of courses will vary depending on the specific four-year institution, it is strongly recommended that if students are intending to transfer to four-year institutions, they must consult with the transfer institution and with their respective KCKCC advisors before enrolling in order to determine the transferability of their courses. It is the student’s responsibility to determine the transferability of his/her courses.

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)

*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.