Program Requirements

First Semester

Course #Course TitleCreditsPrerequisites/Comments

524-139PTA Patient Interventions4Program student; 806-177 or concurrent; Corequisite: 524-156, 524-157An introduction to basic skills and physical therapy interventions performed by the physical therapist assistant.

524-156PTA Applied Kinesiology 14Weeks 1-8 | Program student; 806-177 or concurrent; Corequisite: 524-139, 524-157Introduces basic principles of musculoskeletal anatomy, kinematics, and clinical assessment. Students locate and identify muscles, joints, and other landmarks of the lower quadrant in addition to assessing range of motion and strength.

524-157PTA Applied Kinesiology 23Weeks 9-16 | Program student; 806-177 and (524-156 or concurrent or T156 Test Score); Corequisite: 524-139Applies basic principles from PTA Kinesiology 1 to the axial skeleton and upper quadrant including location and identification of muscles, joints and other landmarks. Assess range of motion and strength of the axial skeleton and upper quadrant. Integrate analysis of posture and gait.

806-177Gen Anatomy & Physiology4836-133 or 806-134 or concurrent or CHEM Test ScoreExamines basic concepts of human anatomy and physiology as they relate to health sciences. Using a body systems approach, the course emphasizes the interrelationships between structure and function at the gross and microscopic levels of organization of the entire human body. It is intended to prepare health care professionals who need to apply basic concepts of whole body anatomy and physiology to informed decision-making and professional communication with colleagues and patients.

TOTAL CREDITS:15 

Second Semester

Course #Course TitleCreditsPrerequisites/Comments

524-140PTA Professional Issues 12524-139 and (524-156 or T156 Test Score) and 524-157; Corequisite: 524-142, 524-143, 524-145, 524-147Introduces the history and development of the physical therapy program, legal and ethical issues, the interdisciplinary health care team, and professional communication skills.

524-142PTA Therapeutic Exercise3524-139 and (524-156 or T156 Test Score) and 524-157; Corequisite: 524-140, 524-143, 524-145, 524-147Provides instruction on the implementation of a variety of therapeutic exercise principles. Learners implement, educate, adapt, and assess responses to therapeutic exercises.

524-143PTA Biophysical Agents4524-139 and (524-156 or T156 Test Score) and 524-157; Corequisite: 524-140, 524-142, 524-145, 524-147Develops the knowledge and technical skills necessary to perform numerous therapeutic modalities likely to be utilized as a PTA.

524-145PTA Princ of Musculo Rehab4524-139 and (524-156 or T156 Test Score) and 524-157; Corequisite: 524-140, 524-142, 524-143, 524-147Integrates concepts of musculoskeletal pathologies, physical therapy interventions, and data collection in patient treatment.

524-147PTA Clinical Practice 12Winter term | (524-156 or T156 Test Score) and 524-157 and 524-139; Corequisite: 524-142, 524-143, 524-145Provides a part-time clinical experience to apply foundational elements, knowledge, and technical skills pertinent to physical therapy practice.

TOTAL CREDITS:15 

Third Semester

Course #Course TitleCreditsPrerequisites/Comments

524-148PTA Clinical Practice 23(524-140 or T140 Test Score) and 524-142 and (524-143 or T143 Test Score) and 524-145 and 524-147Provides another part-time clinical experience to apply foundational elements, knowledge, and technical skills required of the entry-level physical therapist assistant in various practice settings.

801-136English Composition 13This course is designed for learners to develop knowledge and skills in all aspects of the writing process. Planning, organizing, writing, editing, and revising are applied through a variety of activities. Students will analyze audience and purpose, use elements of research and format documents using standard guidelines. Individuals will develop critical reading skills through analysis of various written documents.

TOTAL CREDITS:6 

Fourth Semester

Course #Course TitleCreditsPrerequisites/Comments

524-144PTA Princ of Neuro Rehab4524-148; Corequisite: 524-146Integrates concepts of neuromuscular pathologies, physical therapy interventions, and data collection in patient treatment.

524-146PTA Cardio & Integ Mgmt3524-148; Corequisite: 524-144Integrates concepts of cardiopulmonary and integumentary pathologies, physical therapy interventions, and data collection in patient treatment.

809-188Developmental Psychology3This is the study of human development throughout the lifespan. This course explores developmental theory and research with an emphasis on the interactive nature of the biological, cognitive, and psychosocial changes that affect the individual from conception to death. Application activities and critical thinking skills will enable students to gain increased knowledge and understanding of themselves and others. It is recommended that either Intro to Psychology (809-198) or Psychology of Human Relations (809-199) be completed before taking this course.

801-196Oral/Interpersonal Comm3Focuses on developing effective listening techniques and verbal and nonverbal communication skills through oral presentation, group activity, and other projects. The study of self, conflict, and cultural contexts will be explored, as well as their impact on communication.

801-198Speech3Explores the fundamentals of effective oral presentation to small and large groups. Topic selection, audience analysis, methods of organization, research, structuring evidence and support, delivery techniques, and other essential elements of speaking successfully, including the listening process, form the basis of the course.

TOTAL CREDITS:13 

Fifth Semester

Course #Course TitleCreditsPrerequisites/Comments

524-149PTA Rehab Across the Lifespan2Weeks 1-8 | 524-144 and 524-146 and 524-148; Corequisite: 524-150, 524-151A capstone course that integrates concepts of pathology, physical therapy interventions and data collection across the lifespan. In addition, the PTA's role in health, wellness and prevention, reintegration, and physical therapy interventions for special patient populations will be addressed.

524-150PTA Professional Issues 22Weeks 1-8 | 524-144 and 524-146 and 524-148; Corequisite: 524-149, 524-151Incorporates professional development, advanced legal and ethical issues, healthcare management and administration, and further development of professional communication strategies.

524-151PTA Clinical Practice 35Weeks 9-16 | 524-144 and 524-146 and 524-148; Corequisite: 524-149, 524-150Provides a full-time clinical experience to apply foundational elements, knowledge, and technical skills required of the entry-level physical therapist assistant in various practice settings.

809-172Introduction to Diversity Studies3This is a course that draws from several disciplines to reaffirm the basic American values of justice and equality by teaching a basic vocabulary, a history of immigration and conquest, principles of transcultural communication, legal liability and the value of aesthetic production to increase the probability of respectful encounters among people. In addition to an analysis of majority/minority relations in a multicultural context, the topics of ageism, sexism, gender differences, sexual orientation, the disabled and the American Disability Act (ADA) are explored. Ethnic relations are studied in global and comparative perspectives.

TOTAL CREDITS:12