Physical Therapist Assistant Pathway Associate in Arts

If you're passionate about helping others regain strength, mobility and independence, a career as a physical therapist assistant could be your next step. This pathway allows you to earn your A.A. degree while completing key prerequisites for the physical therapy program and keeping future options open. Many students also choose to continue into our Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences, with specializations in clinical science, health coaching and healthcare management. Whether you're focused on direct patient care or exploring broader roles in health and wellness, this pathway gives you the flexibility to grow your career in the direction that fits you best.

Related Programs

Getting Started: Fall Term

Aug. 18:  Application Deadline

Aug. 25:  Classes Begin

Other Important Dates »

Why Seminole State?

  • Affordable tuition: Earn a state university education at about half the cost.
  • Small class sizes: With classes of 30 or less, you don’t have to learn in an auditorium.
  • Online degree option: The courses for our A.A. degree are offered in person and online, so you can study when and where you want. 
  • Seamless transition: With your A.A. degree, you can stay at Seminole State to continue your progress toward a bachelor’s degree in a high-demand field.
  • Guaranteed transfer: Earn your A.A. here, and take advantage of guaranteed admission to UCF or one of Florida’s other state universities for your bachelor’s.
  • More than 100 University Transfer Pathways: Take prerequisite courses for majors in various fields from accounting to theater.

Additional Information

PTA AA Pre-Major Pathway
Type: Associate in Arts
Major Code: HLT-PTA
CIP: 1192401010

Program Description

Available Course Course Not Offered Fall 2025
Expand All Collapse All

Recommended courses for Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) students looking to pursue the Health Sciences B.S. program at Seminole State College:

General Biology I Gen Ed Core
4
Credits
In this course students will apply the scientific method to critically examine and explain the natural world. This course will cover molecular biology, cellular biology, genetics, metabolism, and replication. This course is primarily for science majors or students with a strong biology background. It is a study of the molecular and cellular composition and function of living organisms. Emphasis will be given to structure, chemical metabolism, and genetic mechanisms. Laboratory illustrates basic biological principles. Lab fee required. This course satisfies the General Education State Core Natural Science requirement for degree seeking students.
Anatomy and Physiology I
4
Credits
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.
Anatomy and Physiology II
4
Credits
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.
Pharmacology and Lab Medicine
3
Credits
This course is a study of the principles and language of pharmacology and laboratory medicine, including drugs and drug classes, diagnostic tests, indications, techniques, expression of values and significance of findings.
Introduction to Health Care
3
Credits
This introductory course provides an overview of the health professions and the healthcare delivery system. Other topics include disease prevention and wellness promotion, guidelines for legal, ethical and moral practice and communication skills. Students will be introduced to the use of computers in healthcare, including diagnostic and monitoring capabilities. The emphasis of this course is to establish a firm foundation of professional characteristics, behaviors, values, skills and knowledge for students to build upon in their healthcare careers.
Medical Terminology
3
Credits
This is an introductory course to the language of medicine utilized by healthcare professionals. Basic word structure and formation, medical terms, abbreviations, definitions and spelling are included. Major disease processes and pathological conditions of specific body systems will be discussed.
First Aid and CPR
3
Credits
This course is designed to provide the knowledge and skills needed to meet emergency first aid situations. There will be comprehensive training in recognition, evaluation and handling victims of illness or accidents. Students, after successful completion, will receive an American Heart Association Basic Life Support (BLS) card. Lab fee required.
The Principles of Nutrition
3
Credits
This course provides instruction in the scientific principles of nutrition, including the role of specific nutrients, digestion of each, absorption, metabolism and sources of the nutrients and requirements of the various age groups. Emphasis is on the factors influencing the ability of individuals to maintain good nutritional status.
College Algebra Gen Ed Core
3
Credits
In this course, students will develop problem solving skills, critical thinking, computational proficiency, and contextual fluency through the study of equations, functions, and their graphs. Emphasis will be placed on quadratic, exponential, and logarithmic functions. Topics will include solving equations and inequalities, definition and properties of a function, domain and range, transformations of graphs, operations on functions, composite and inverse functions, basic polynomial and rational functions, exponential and logarithmic functions, and applications. This course satisfies the General Education State Core Mathematics requirement for degree seeking students and is the core course for majors in the Algebra Through Calculus pathway.
Total Credits: 60

Gen Ed Core   Denotes that a class is a State of Florida General Education Core Course.

Beginning in the 2022-23 academic year and thereafter, students entering associate in arts, associate in science or associate in applied science, or baccalaureate degree programs must complete at least one (1) course from each of the general education subject areas listed in this section prior to the awarding of their degree. Please refer to this catalog's Graduation Requirements section for specific requirements on the General Education Core Courses .

Civic Lit   Denotes that a class counts toward the course Civic Literacy Requirement.

The State of Florida requires that all students graduating from Seminole State College of Florida and other institutions in the Florida College System (FCS), as well as from any State University System (SUS) institution, fulfill a Civic Literacy Competency requirement prior to submitting an Intent to Graduate form in the term they plan to graduate. Requirements vary based on admit term and program. Please refer to this catalog’s Graduation Requirements section for specific requirements on the Civic Literacy Proficiency Requirement.

Foreign Language Proficiency

Per Florida Statute 1007.25, "Beginning with students initially entering a Florida College System institution or state university in 2014-2015 and thereafter, coursework for an associate in arts degree shall include demonstration of competency in a foreign language." Please refer to this catalog's Graduation Requirements section for specific requirements on Foreign Language Proficiency.

Your tuition shouldn’t go against your intuition.

Your pursuit of higher education is admirable. So why struggle with high tuition in the process? Here we make life’s next steps affordable. Whether you’re seeking a university transfer (A.A.) degree, a four-year bachelor’s, an Associate in Science degree or even earning a college credit certificate, you’ll find reasonable tuition and great value. And to us, that’s scholarly.

In fact, a full-time college education at Seminole State is more than $10,000 less each year than most state universities.

Go For Less.


Tuition and Fee Comparison*

 Seminole StateUFFSUUCF
Tuition and Fees$3,131$6,380$5,654 $5,954 
Room and Board-0-$12,615
$14,020 $13,412 
Books and Supplies$1,000$825$1,200$1,200
Total$4,131$19,820$20,874$20,566

For more information on Seminole State's tuition and fees, please see the current fee schedule.

* Tuition costs are based on the current academic year for in-state students living on campus. Dorm fees, meal plans and book expenses are estimates based on cost of attendance information provided by the State University System of Florida. Lab fees and other fees that may be assessed at the time of registration may be viewed in the College fee schedule. As Seminole State is a commuter college with no residence halls on its campuses, costs for room and board are not calculated.