Physical Therapist Assistant (A45640)
Associate Degree Program
Career Information
The Physical Therapist Assistant curriculum prepares graduates to work in direct patient care settings under supervision of physical therapists. Assistants work to improve or restore function by alleviation or prevention of physical impairment and perform other essential activities in a physical therapy department. Course work includes normal human anatomy and physiology, the consequences of disease or injury, and physical therapy treatment of a variety of patient conditions affecting humans throughout the life span. Graduates may be eligible to take the licensure examination administered by the NC Board of Physical Therapy Examiners. Employment is available in general hospitals, rehabilitation centers, extended care facilities, specialty hospitals, home health agencies, private clinics and public school systems.
Special Admission Requirements
- GPA Requirement of 2.75
- Application
- High school transcript/Adult high school diploma/high school equivalency
- College transcripts, if applicable
- Placement tests
- PTA Information Session online
- ATI-TEAS 6 Admission Test
- MAR (Minimum Admissions Requirements) Review
- Current Certification in CPR after acceptance
- Health form after acceptance
- Criminal background checks/drug screening after acceptance
Summer Semester I
| BIO 168 | Anatomy and Physiology I | 3 | 3 | 4 |
| ENG 111 | Writing and Inquiry | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| PSY 150 | General Psychology | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| Semester Total: | 9 | 3 | 10 |
Fall Semester I
| BIO 169 | Anatomy and Physiology II | 3 | 3 | 4 |
| COM 120 | Intro to Interpersonal Communication | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| | or | | | |
| COM 231 | Public Speaking | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| PHY 110 | Conceptual Physics | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| PHY 110A | Conceptual Physics Lab | 0 | 2 | 1 |
| PTA 110 | Intro to Physical Therapy | 2 | 3 | 3 |
| | Humanities/Fine Arts Elective | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| Semester Total: | 14 | 8 | 17 |
Spring Semester I
Summer Semester II (10 Week Term)
| PTA 145 | Therapeutic Procedures | 2 | 6 | 4 |
| PTA 152 | PTA Wellness and Prevention | 1 | 2 | 2 |
| Semester Total: | 3 | 8 | 6 |
Fall Semester II
| PTA 212 | Health Care/Resources | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| PTA 215 | Therapeutic Exercise | 2 | 3 | 3 |
| PTA 225 | Intro to Rehabilitation | 3 | 3 | 4 |
| PTA 245 | PTA Clinical III | 0 | 12 | 4 |
| Semester Total: | 7 | 18 | 13 |
Spring Semester II