A.S. Degree, Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA)

Degree Type: A.S.
Major Code: PTA-AS
CIP: 1351080601
Former CIP: 1317081500

The physical therapist assistant is a skilled healthcare worker who implements treatment programs under the direction and delegation of a physical therapist. These treatment programs focus on health promotion, the prevention of physical disabilities and the rehabilitation of persons ill, injured and/or born with disabilities. Some duties include reading patient charts, transferring patients, assisting the patient in exercise and ambulation, applying physical agents such as heat, cold and electrical stimulation to specific muscles, instructing the patient and caregiver in functional skills, and observing and reporting to the physical therapist changes in a patient's condition. Physical therapist assistants work in settings where physical therapists are employed.

The Physical Therapist Assistant Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), American Physical Therapy Association. Graduates of this accredited PTA program receive the Associate in Science degree for the Physical Therapist Assistant and are eligible for licensure after successfully passing the National Physical Therapy Exam and the State Laws and Rules Exam.

This is a limited-access program. Candidates must:

• Apply and be accepted to Seminole State College and complete the Computerized Placement Test (CPT) or equivalent, if necessary;
• Complete and submit appropriate documentation for a minimum of 20 recent hours of observation, volunteer service, or work experience in more than one type of physical therapy setting;
• Provide their MySeminoleState unofficial transcript to indicate:
• A minimum of three General Education courses must be successfully completed with a grade of "C" or higher prior to application submission:
  
  • English I
  • Anatomy and Physiology I
  • College Algebra or higher level MAC or MAP prefix course that meets the General Education requirement.
  • To be competitive, it is recommended that candidates also complete the following general education courses:
    
    • Humanities
    • English II
    • Anatomy and Physiology II
    • Psychology or Sociology course.
    • An overall GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale.
    • Students from other accredited colleges (not Seminole State) must provide official transcripts for evaluation by the Office of Student Records four months prior to the intended date of application. Once evaluation of transcripts is completed, it may be downloaded by logging into MySeminoleState.
    • Submit the completed PTA Program application packet (available at www.seminolestate.edu/pta) by May 31 with all attachments: MySeminoleState unofficial transcripts, PTA Program Application Form and forms documenting work, volunteer or observation experience. The most competitive candidates will exceed the basic minimums in all areas (GPA, observation hours, numbers and types of sites and prerequisites completed) and may be interviewed. All PTA students are required to complete an FBI criminal background check. Students must be free of offenses which could potentially disqualify them from working in a healthcare environment (Florida Statutes 456.0635, 435.04 and 316.193) and potentially interfere with clinical assignment to these healthcare sites and licensure.

    Students applying for admission to the Physical Therapist Assistant Program are required to complete a drug screening and an FBI criminal background check including:

    • Online check of the Office of the Inspector General related to parties excluded from participation in Medicare/Medical and all federal healthcare programs.
    • Online search of U.S. General Services Administration of parties excluded from federal procurements and non-procurements programs.

    Major Courses
    PHT1000	Introduction to Physical Therapy This course introduces the new Physical Therapy Assistant student to the Physical Therapy profession and the ever-changing healthcare field. The emphasis is on 1) becoming a health professional and 2) understanding the role of the PTA in the healthcare system with regard to the role of team members, legal/ethical issues, medical terminology/documentation, infection control, stress/wellness management, client safety and security issues, self evaluation and communication skills. Lab fee required.	2
    PHT1120	Functional Kinesiology This course covers functional anatomy and its underlying theories and applications as they pertain to physical therapy. Contents include anatomical terminology, anatomical systems overview, basic biomechanics, regional musculoskeletal anatomy, gait, posture and arthrokinematics.	3
    PHT1120L	Functional Kinesiology Lab This course is the laboratory companion to PHT 1120. In this course, students learn the skills of assessment as they pertain to the functional anatomy. These skills include, but are not limited to, muscle and skeletal palpation, postural and gait assessment, goniometry and manual muscle testing and motion analysis. Students will also apply the above skills in clinically relevant scenarios. Lab fee required.	2
    PHT1200	Basic Patient Care This is an introductory course to the field of physical therapy including role orientation, professional organizational structure and modality principles used for basic patient care and disease processes. Legal and ethical issues will be explored relative to the physician, registered physical therapist and the patient. Lab fee required.	2
    PHT1200L	Basic Patient Care Laboratory This is a laboratory course in which the student practices activities and modalities basic to the care of patients in health agencies. Focus is on the development of manual dexterity for patient safety and comfort. Lab fee required.	2
    PHT1213	Physical Therapy Principles and Procedures This course builds on all concepts presented in Term I and integrates those with new concepts and treatment skills such as electrical stimulation, ultrasound, hydro-therapy and pelvic and cervical traction.	3
    PHT1213L	Physical Therapy Principles and Procedures Laboratory This course provides the laboratory practice for those concepts presented in PHT 1200. Includes competency-based skill checks and practical exams. Lab fee required.	2
    PHT1801C	Pre-Clinical Practice I Integration This course, offered prior to the student's first clinical internship, builds upon and integrates prior course content with an introduction to a broad selection of commonly seen medical and surgical conditions and their rehabilitation methods. Common treatment procedures, including precautions and possible complications encountered, are emphasized and addressed in both lecture and lab practice format.	4
    PHT1800L	Physical Therapy Clinical Practice I This is the first full-time clinical course in a series of three clinical courses. It consists of a six-week, supervised experience in one of three types of physical therapy facilities (acute care, ortho/outpatient or long-term care) and occurs after two semesters of didactic course work. Primary emphasis is upon: 1) gaining hands-on clinical practice in the skills covered during the first two semesters by providing exposure to clients with a variety of diagnoses; 2) facilitating communication skills (written and non-written); and 3) challenging the student's problem-solving and critical thinking skills. Lab fee required.	5
    PHT2224	Therapeutic Exercise I This course will emphasize the basics of therapeutic exercise including affective, cognitive and psychomotor performance of passive, active-assistive, active, resistive and stretching exercises. It will explore the variety of ways these exercises may be performed (manual vs. mechanical) and considerations leading to modification (stage of tissue state and recovery, subjective and objective findings). Prior and concurrent knowledge and skills will be incorporated and utilized throughout.	1
    PHT2224L	Therapeutic Exercise I Lab This course provides laboratory time for the practice of exercise techniques and development of problem-solving skills required in modification of treatments within the Physical Therapy Assistant's scope of practice as presented in PHT 2224. It includes competency-based skill checks and lab tests which focus on demonstration of the appropriate manual and physical dexterity and accurate determination of the appropriate exercise and intensity required by the patient. Students learn procedures that are safe, efficient and effective for the patient and care giver.	2
    PHT2228	Therapeutic Exercise II This course builds on all concepts presented in PHT 2224 and PHT 2224L and integrates those concepts with new concepts. Problem-solving and treatment of a variety of orthopedic conditions introduced in PHT 2310 (both surgical and non-surgical) are emphasized. Rehabilitation for a variety of specific patient disorders such as cancer, diabetes, PVD, pulmonary, cardiac, burns and geriatrics are also discussed.	2
    PHT2228L	Therapeutic Exercise II Laboratory This course provides laboratory time for the practice of exercise techniques presented in PHT 2228. Lab fee required.	2
    PHT2162	Neurological Disabilities and Treatments This course provides information on common adult neurologic disorders and pediatric disorders. Emphasis is placed on etiology, pathology and a clinical picture of conditions such as Parkinsons, multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, CVA, spinal cord and traumatic brain injuries. Common testing, medical procedures, rehabilitation and prognosis of the conditions are integrated into the discussions. Scientific concepts introduced in the prior year as well as during prerequisites are also discussed: neurophysiology, psychology, musculoskeletal and nervous systems.	2
    PHT2162L	Neurological Disabilities and Treatments Lab This course provides laboratory time for the practice of neurorehabilitative techniques and care presented in PHT 2162. It includes competency-based skill checks and lab practicals which focus on demonstration of appropriate manual and physical dexterity in conjunction with good problem-solving skills. Students handle conditions discussed in PHT 2162 in a manner which is safe, effective and efficient for the patient and their caregiver.	2
    PHT2310	Orthopedic Disabilities and Treatment This course provides basic information on common orthopedic disabilities encountered in physical therapy practice. Emphasis is placed on the etiology, pathology and clinical picture of conditions such as arthritis, scoliosis, amputations, fractures, low back pain and burns. Physical therapy modalities, procedures (including surgical) commonly used for each disability and prognosis are integrated into the discussions. Scientific concepts introduced in the prior year (as well as in prerequisites) including inflammation, psychology, musculoskeletal and nervous systems are reviewed and built upon.	3
    PHT2810L	Physical Therapy Clinical Practice II This course focuses on intermediate clinical experiences in selected patient care activities under the supervision of a licensed physical therapist or a physical therapist assistant. Students are assigned to one of three possible facility types (acute care, ortho/outpatient or long-term care) not assigned in PHT1800L. Problem-solving techniques are employed in the evaluation and execution of patient care plans. Lab fee required.	5
    PHT2820L	Physical Therapy Clinical Practice III This is the third full-time clinical course in a series of three clinical courses. Students are assigned to one of three possible facility types (acute care, ortho/outpatient or long-term care) not assigned in PHT 1800L or PHT 2810L. This course is scheduled for the last five weeks of the curriculum prior to graduation. This third internship is designed to refine, complement and supplement those skills the student has developed in his/her two prior internships. This clinical follows coursework which has emphasized skills on all client populations as well as specialized populations - clients with central nervous system problems, the geriatric population and/or the pediatric population.	5
    PHT2931	Trends in Physical Therapy This is a seminar course exploring the trends affecting the profession of physical therapy. The role of the professional team, legal and ethical issues and familiarization with test-taking strategies for licensure are also discussed.	2
    Support Courses
    Humanities or History Elective		3
    General Education Courses
    BSC2093C	Anatomy and Physiology I This is the first part of a two-semester course that investigates in detail the structure and function of humans. The course is primarily designed for students of healthcare professions, biology or physical education. We will utilize a "system" approach, examining each organ system at the cellular, tissue, organ and system levels and discuss interactions with other systems. Emphasis will be placed on the homeostatic rather than the dysfunctional individual. Lab fee required.	4
    BSC2094C	Anatomy and Physiology II This course is the second part of a two-semester course that investigates the structure and function of humans. The course is designed for students of healthcare professions, biology or physical education. We utilize a "systems" approach, examining each organ system at the cellular, tissue, organ and system levels and discuss interactions with other systems. Emphasis will be placed on homeostatic rather than dysfunctional individuals. Lab fee required.	4
    ENC1101	English I This is a course in the process of expository writing. Students will read essays and compose papers that are unified, organized, logically developed and supported, clearly stated and well-focused. Research techniques are introduced and incorporated into at least one composition. This course partially satisfies the writing requirement of S.B.E. 6A-10.030. Students must pass the core assignments with a grade of "C" or higher.	3
    ENC1102	English II In this course students develop the ability to read literary texts critically, to think logically and creatively and to write and research effectively. Students must pass the core assignments with a grade of "C" or higher. This course partially satisfies the writing requirement of S.B.E. 6A-10.030.	3
    MAC1105	College Algebra This course is a study of the fundamental topics in advanced algebra with emphasis on applications, the understanding of the function concept and manipulative skills. Major topics include operations on algebraic expressions and complex numbers; solving polynomial equations and inequalities, absolute value equations and inequalities and rational equations and inequalities; applications; functions; exponents and logarithms; graphs of polynomial, exponential and logarithmic functions and systems of equations and inequalities. The use of graphing calculators will be incorporated throughout the course. This course partially satisfies the mathematics requirement of S.B.E. 6A-10.030.	3
    or higher level MAC or MAP prefix course that meets the General Education requirements.
    Psychology or Sociology General Education course		3
    Total Credits:		74

    Note:

  • Associate of Science (A.S.) degrees are designed to prepare graduates for immediate entry into their chosen career field. A.S. degree graduates may transfer into certain baccalaureate programs. Students planning to transfer to baccalaureate programs should consult with Student Affairs counselors, advisors or specialists to make sure required courses are taken and entry requirements are met for the college/university program of their choice.