Program Codes:
ASPHYTH
Associate of Science
The American Physical Therapy Association defines Physical Therapy as the assessment, evaluation, treatment, and prevention of physical disability and pain resulting from injury, disease, disability, or other health-related conditions.
The physical therapist assistant (PTA) is an integral part of the health care team. The duties of a physical therapist assistant include assisting in the implementation of treatment programs in accordance with the plan of care established by the physical therapist. The PTA works under the direction and supervision of the physical therapist in the provision of physical therapy services. Services may include use of physical agents such as therapeutic heat and cold, electrical stimulation and therapeutic ultrasound; application and instruction of therapeutic exercise techniques; functional mobility training; and data collection skills to monitor strength, range of motion, sensation, and reflexes.
The practice of physical therapy offers opportunities to provide valuable health care service to patients or clients of all ages. The PTA program curriculum is designed in accordance with recommendations of the American Physical Therapy Association’s Model Curriculum for PTA Education (Version 2007), and Minimum Required Skills of the PTA graduate. The program meets the required Standards and Elements as established by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE). The program has been accredited by CAPTE since 1996.
The integrated two-year curriculum consists of a balance of liberal studies, science and technical courses. Within the curriculum, three clinical education courses are completed. The clinical education courses provide an opportunity for students to transition from the classroom/lab setting into the clinical environment. Students continue the learning process in various clinical settings under the direct supervision of a qualified physical therapist assistant and/or physical therapist.
The clinical education component of the curriculum requires a total of 640 clinical hours. Clinical sites utilized for clinical education are available throughout the United States with the majority of sites in the tristate region. A significant number of clinical facilities within Erie County have committed their support to the program. Clinical sites available represent a wide variety of settings including hospitals, outpatient clinics, rehab centers, nursing homes, sports medicine clinics and pediatric settings. In order to participate in the clinical education courses, students must submit documentation of a recent physical exam (within one year), appropriate immunizations/vaccinations, recent two-step TB test, current CPR certification, completion of a federal and state criminal record check, child abuse clearance, and alcohol and drug screening. Some clinical facilities have additional requirements. Students should be aware that a felony conviction may affect a graduate’s ability to attain a license or certificate to practice, may restrict options for clinical placements and may impact employability. A student who cannot be placed in the appropriate variety of clinical facilities will not be able to complete the program.
Requirements for admission include a high school diploma or GED with a preferred GPA of 2.5 (C+ average), and completion of high school algebra, biology and chemistry with a C or better in each course. Preference is given to applicants with SAT scores at or above 900 (two section total) or a 20 composite ACT score. Applicants may be asked to take a placement test if any of the requirements are in question. Applicants are also required to complete 20 hours of documented work or volunteer experience in two different physical therapy settings under the supervision of a licensed PT or PTA. The hours may be completed after acceptance to the program, but prior to the start of fall semester.
Program Goals
A minimum of 72 credits is required for the completion of this associate degree program. An overall 2.0 GPA is required by the end of the second semester and for graduation. A grade of C+ (80%) or higher is expected in all PTA courses to remain in good standing within the program. Due to the rigor of the program, working full-time is not recommended.
Students in associate degree health science programs participating in selective admission processes may be waived from the BIO 240/241 prerequisites due to accreditation requirements.
Upon successful completion of the program, graduates are required to take the National Physical Therapy Examination in order to practice as a PTA in most states. The National Exam is administered by the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT.org).
Students in the PTA major meet REACH requirements through the following courses: COMP 120, BIO 240/241 and 250/251 (A), STAT 109 or MATH 111 (A), RLST or PHIL (R), SOC 108 or PSYC (H).
This course presents a general orientation to the profession of physical therapy (PT) and the role of the physical therapist assistant (PTA) as part of the treatment team. The course includes the historical background, professional ethics and development of the profession of PT. Documentation and medical terminology introduced earlier will be revisited. The student will gain an appreciation of the psychosocial issues and cultural diversity in healthcare, as well as the physical and mechanical principles relative to body function. Topics of instruction include application techniques for the ollowing interventions and data collection skills: vital signs, basic first aid, positioning, massage, muscle testing, range of motion assessment, reflex testing, sensation testing, flexibility testing, body mechanics, and transfer and gait training with assistive devices. Emphasis will be on interventions of particular significance to the PTA.
BIO 240, BIO 241
PTA 104
This lab is designed to provide physical demonstration, instruction and practice of interventions presented in the lecture. Students will learn application techniques for the following topics: vital signs, basic first aid, positioning, massage, muscle testing, flexibility testing, body mechanics, and transfer and gait training with assistive devices. Emphasis will be on interventions of particular significance to the PTA. Students must complete competency skills testing for topics studied.
PTA 101
This course focuses on the study of human motion, including principles of bodymechanics and anatomy in relation to human movement. The course begins with an introduction to physical principles that relate to human motion in preparation for more complex biomechanics. Additional topics include systems review, joint structure and function, gait and postural analysis. Strong emphasis is placed on movement analysis and knowledge of musculoskeletal anatomy.
Acceptance to PTA program
BIO 240/241, PTA 204
BIO 240/241, PTA 200
This course examines the medical, surgical, and multisystem conditions commonly encountered in physical therapy. The disease process, abnormal physiology, diagnostic procedures and medical interventions associated with these clinical conditions will be presented. Emphasis will be on conditions of particular significance to the PTA.
BIO-240/241, PTA-200/204
In this course students will learn theory and application of various physical agents used in physical therapy treatments. Content covered will prepare the students with the knowledge of indications, contraindications, special precautions and implementation of modalities such as: superficial heat and cold, hydrotherapy, traction, short wave diathermy, ultrasound, light therapy, ultraviolet, external compression, and electrical simulation currents.
PTA 101/104, PTA 208/218
PTA 216
PTA 101/104, PTA 208/218
PTA 216
This course provides a sound knowledge base of common orthopedic disorders and disease processes seen in physical therapy practice. The scientific rationale for physical therapy interventions used in the management of orthopedic injuries will be emphasized. Orthopedic special tests and joint mobilizations will be introduced.
BIO-240/241, PTA-200/204
PTA 101/104, PTA 207
PTA 218
PTA101/104, PTA 207
PTA 208
PTA 210
This course will cover specialty areas specific to neurological dysfunction. Areas of discussion include pediatrics, traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, stroke, neuromuscular disorders, Parkinson's and pediatric conditions. Treatment techniques specific to the care of individuals with neurologic conditions will be presented.
PTA 208/218
This first clinical rotation is a five week, full time introductory clinical experience. A minimum of 200 hours will be completed at a facility emphasizing general medical and orthopedic diagnoses. This experience is structured to provide the student with the opportunity to develop their skills in patient care under the direct supervision of a qualified physical therapist assistant and/ or physical therapist. The student will have the opportunity to gradually integrate information learned in previous courses into a health care setting.
PTA 208/218
PTA 210
In the second clinical affiliation, the student will continue to gain exposure to physical therapy practice under the direct supervision of a qualified physical therapist and/or physical therapist assistant. A minimum of 200 hours will be completed in any type of physical therapy setting. This experience is structured to provide the student with the opportunity to refine their skills in direct patient care and to develop competency in the management of patients with more complex problems.
PTA 211
PTA 211, PTA 212
This seminar provides a forum for the discussion of professional issues in physical therapy and health care. Emphasis is placed on continued preparation for the National Physical Therapy Examination and future employment. Comprehensive examinations are provided to assess competency and readiness for the National Exam.
PTA 211
PTA 212
PTA 207, PTA 208/218
PTA 206/216
PTA 210
A course in algebra fundamentals, topics include sets, relations, functions, exponents and radicals, equations, inequalities, and polynomial and rational functions.
*This course also fulfills the Analytical Thought requirement of the REACH curriculum.
*This course also fulfills the Analytical Thought requirement of the REACH curriculum.