Physical Therapist Assistant

Associate of Applied Science Degree Program
Contact Hours:
1845
Semester Credits:
78
Instructional Weeks – Full Time:
80
Average Time to Complete – Full Time:
20 Months

 

Program Overview

Physical Therapist Assistants (PTA) provide physical therapy services under the direction and supervision of a licensed Physical Therapist. The PTA implements the Physical Therapist’s plan of care, assessing patient status and modifying selected interventions to progress and protect the safety and comfort of the patient. The PTA helps people of all ages who have impairments that limit movement, function, work and recreational activities. The PTA works in a variety of settings, including hospitals, inpatient rehabilitation facilities, private practices, outpatient clinics, home health, skilled nursing facilities, schools, sports facilities, and more. The PTA provides a variety of physical therapy techniques as they carry out the Physical Therapist’s plan of care for the patient, including therapeutic exercise, functional training, soft tissue mobilization, and physical modalities, such as electrotherapy and ultrasound. The PTA may also assist the Physical Therapist in injury prevention, fitness, and wellness-oriented programs for a healthier and a more active lifestyle. To work as a PTA, an individual must graduate from a PTA program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), must apply and be accepted as a licensed/certified PTA applicant, and must pass the National Physical Therapist Assistant Examination (NPTAE) and, if required by the state, the state jurisprudence examination. Other requirements vary from state to state, according to physical therapy practice acts or state regulations governing physical therapy.

Registration and certification requirements for taking and passing these examinations are not controlled by Concorde, but by outside agencies, and are subject to change by the agency without notice. Therefore, Concorde cannot guarantee that graduates will be eligible to take these exams, at all or at any specific time, regardless of their eligibility status upon enrollment.

Program Mission

In keeping with the mission of Concorde, the PTA program will provide a student-centered learning environment that will prepare knowledgeable, competent and caring individuals for a rewarding career as a PTA. Through diverse training in the classroom and laboratory as well as real-world experiences, PTA students will acquire the theoretical knowledge, technical skills, critical reasoning, and professional behaviors necessary to become contributing and collaborative members of the healthcare profession. The program is dedicated to graduating entry-level PTAs who will utilize evidence-based, current practice to best meet the diverse needs of employers and citizens, while providing quality patient care under the direction and supervision of a Physical Therapist. Ultimately, the program strives to instill professional commitment, community involvement, and lifelong learning that will continually enhance the career of the PTA.

Skill Competency

The Physical Therapist Assistant program has a unique testing policy that ensures student competency of skills necessary to progress in the program. See the Physical Therapist Assistant Student Handbook for the Minimum Competence & Program Continuation policies.

Program Objectives

The objective of the program is to graduate PTAs who are knowledgeable, competent, and service-oriented care providers. The PTA curriculum will reflect current practice and include real-world clinical experiences, preparing the graduate to perform selected interventions and data collection, as well as assess the patient’s/client’s safety and response to interventions. These skills will be performed by the assistant under the direction and supervision of the Physical Therapist in an ethical, legal, safe, and effective manner. In all work activities, program graduates will recognize, respect, and act with consideration for individual differences, values, preferences, and expressed needs. Additionally, PTA graduates will effectively communicate with other members of the healthcare delivery team, interact with members of the patient’s/client’s family and caregivers, and work cooperatively with other healthcare providers. In collaboration with the Physical Therapist, PTA graduates will participate in the education of other healthcare providers, patients/clients and their families or primary caregivers, as well as the community.

Course #
Course Title
Pre-Requisites
Co-Requisites
Theory Hours
(Ground/Online)
Lab Hours
(Ground/Online)
Clinical Hours
(Ground/Online)
Semester Credit Hours
MATH Elective (Transfer Course)

MATH1310 Contemporary Mathematics or MATH1320 College Algebra

45
(
0
/
45
)
0
0
3
Total Subtotal
765
360
720
78

* These courses may be offered entirely online or entirely on-ground at the campus.

Students who have successfully completed a degree in Kinesiology, Athletic Training, or other Health Sciences area (Associates or higher) containing a minimum of three semester credits of anatomy & physiology may receive a block transfer of six General Education courses totaling 18 semester credits, upon evaluation of transcript. The block transfer includes the courses: BIOL1320, ENGL1310, COMM1310, PSYC1310, PSYC1320, MATH1310 (or MATH1320). The remaining credits required to complete the program is 60. 

Block Transfer Courses

Course #
Course Title
Pre-Requisites
Co-Requisites
Theory Hours
(Ground/Online)
Lab Hours
(Ground/Online)
Clinical Hours
(Ground/Online)
Semester Credit Hours
MATH Elective (Transfer Course)

MATH1310 Contemporary Mathematics or MATH1320 College Algebra

45
(
0
/
45
)
0
0
3
Total Subtotal
270
0
0
18