Physical Therapist Assistant Program
PTA Course Descriptions

100PTA Orientation to Physical Therapy Practice
3 credit hours
An orientation to the profession of physical therapy is presented along with an introduction to patient care skills. Topics include: physical therapy as a profession, legal aspects of physical therapy practice, interdisciplinary healthcare team, cultural diversity, communication skills, medical terminology, introductory aseptic techniques, body mechanics, safety procedures, introductory wheelchair management, patient transfers, patient positioning and draping, and vital signs. Prerequisites: Admission to the PTA Program and completion of BIO137 with a grade of “C” or better.
Lecture: 2 hours. Laboratory: 2 hours.

150PTA Functional Anatomy and Kinesiology
6 credit hours
The structure and function of the musculoskeletal system will be covered with an emphasis on the mechanical aspect of human motion. Muscle testing, flexibility testing, goniometry, and the aspects of normal functional gait and posture will be covered. Basic physical principles and the existing relationship with biomechanical principles will also be covered. Prerequisites: Admission to the PTA Program and completion of BIO137 & BIO139 with a grade of “C” or better. Co-requisites: PTA 100 and PTA 160 with a grade of “C” or better and PTA 170 with a grade of “P”.
Lecture: 3 hours. Laboratory: 6 hours.

160PTA Medical and Surgical Conditions in Physical Therapy
3 credit hours
The study of health and disease of all age groups is introduced with an emphasis on the etiology, pathology, prevention, data collection and physical therapy interventions in selected medical and surgical conditions encountered in physical therapy. Prerequisites: Admission to the PTA Program and completion of BIO137 and BIO139 with a grade “C” or better. Pre/Co-requisite: PTA 100 with a grade of “C” or better.
Co-Requisite: PTA 150 and PTA 170.
Lecture: 3 hours.

170PTA Clinical Practicum I
1 credit hour
Clinical observation and practice of physical therapy interventions and data collection are included. Knowledge from previous general education coursework and previous/concurrent PTA courses is applied. Grade of Pass/Fail only. Prerequisites: Admission to the Physical Therapist Assistant Program and completion of BIO137 and BIO139 with a grade of “C” or better. Pre/Co-requisite: PTA 100 with a grade of “C” or better.
Co-requisite: PTA 150 and PTA 160.
Laboratory: 4 hours.

200PTA Modalities and Procedures in Physical Therapy
5 credit hours
Basic physical science principles of selected physical therapy interventions and data collection are presented. Techniques of selected physical therapy interventions are introduced. These interventions include: wound therapy, compression therapy, safety procedures, gait training, traction, massage, superficial heat and cold, deep heat modalities, electrotherapy, ultraviolet radiation, hydrotherapy, and documentation. Prerequisites: Admission to the Physical Therapist Assistant Program and completion of PTA 100, PTA 150, PTA 160, and all general education courses required for completion of the Physical Therapist Assistant program with a grade of “C” or better. Completion of PTA 170 with a grade of “P”.
Co-requisites: PTA 220, PTA 240.
Lecture: 2 hours. Laboratory: 6 hours.

220PTA Physical Therapy Principles & Procedures
5 credit hours
Selected physical therapy interventions and data collection are presented. Topics include therapeutic exercise, musculoskeletal conditions, pulmonary physical therapy, pathological gait, balance, thermal injuries, arthritis, amputations, cardiac rehabilitation, orthotics, prosthetics, wellness, and women’s health issues. Prerequisites: Admission to the Physical Therapist Assistant Program and completion of PTA 100, PTA 150, PTA 160, and all general education courses required for completion of the Physical Therapist Assistant program with a grade of “C” or better. Completion of PTA 170 with a grade of “P”.
Co-requisites: PTA200 and PTA240.
Lecture: 2 hours. Laboratory: 6 hours.

240PTA Clinical Practicum II
3 credit hours
Clinical observation and practice of physical therapy interventions and data collection are included. Knowledge from previous general education coursework and previous/concurrent PTA courses is applied. This course will entail four consecutive weeks of full-time clinical experience. In order to participate in this clinical experience, the student must be earning a grade of “C” or better in PTA 200 and PTA220. Grade of Pass/Fail only. Prerequisites: Admission to the Physical Therapist Assistant Program and completion of PTA 100, PTA 150, PTA 160, and all general education courses required for completion of the Physical Therapist Assistant program with a grade of “C” or better. Completion of PTA 170 with a grade of “P”.
Co-requisites: PTA 200 and PTA 220.
Laboratory: 10.5 hours.

250PTA Neurological Rehabilitation in Physical Therapy
4 credit hours
Rehabilitation procedures, including assistive devices, for patients of all age groups with disabilities resulting from: brain injury, spinal cord injury, and genetic/congenital disorders are presented. Normal growth and development is discussed. The rationale and techniques of neuromuscular re-education are included. Prerequisites: Admission to the Physical Therapist Assistant Program and completion of PTA 200 and PTA 220 with a grade of “C” or better. Completion of PTA 240 with a grade of “P”.
Co-requisites: PTA 260, PTA 280.
Lecture: 2 hours. Laboratory: 4 hours.

260PTA Seminar in Physical Therapy
2 credit hours
Topics are presented to assist the student in the transition to physical therapist assistant. Topics included are trends, specialized practice, patient services, case studies integrating theory and practice, and the employment process. Prerequisites: Admission to the Physical Therapist Assistant Program and completion of PTA 200 and PTA 220 with a grade of “C” or better. Completion of PTA 240 with a grade of “P”.
Co-requisites: PTA 250 and PTA 280.
Lecture: 2 hours.

280PTA Clinical Practicum III
8 credit hours
Clinical observation and practice of physical therapy interventions and data collection are included. Knowledge from previous general education coursework and PTA courses is applied. This course will entail ten consecutive weeks of clinical practicum experience. In order to participate in this clinical experience, the student must be earning a grade of “C” or better in PTA 250 and PTA 260. Grade of Pass/Fail only. Prerequisites: Admission to the Physical Therapist Assistant Program and completion of PTA 200 and PTA 220 with a grade of “C” or better. Completion of PTA 240 with a grade of “P”.
Co-requisites: PTA 250 and PTA 260. Laboratory: 27 hours.

Back to Top