Austin Community College

FY 2000 Degree Plan

Curriculum subject to change based on Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board mandates.

Physical therapist assistants perform physical therapy treatments and other duties under the supervision of a physical therapist. These may include teaching patients to walk again, helping them to learn to use an artificial limb, and helping them to learn to coordinate movement. They observe patients during treatment to gather information on their responses and progress and to report findings to the physical therapist, either orally or in writing. They also instruct patients in the use and care of artificial limbs, braces, and other devices such as crutches, canes, walkers, and wheelchairs. Heat, cold, ultrasound, electricity and massage may also be administrated as part of the physical therapy program. Physical therapy personnel are needed in hospitals of all types, rehabilitation centers, and nursing homes. Clinics and community health agencies also offer employment opportunities. Texas requires that a licensure exam be successfully completed after graduation in order to practice as a PTA in this state. Upon applying to take the licensing examination, the student will have to answer questions about his/her drug, alcohol, psychiatric, and/or conviction history for determination of eligibility to take the national licensing exam. ADMISSION TO THE COLLEGE DOES NOT GUARANTEE ADMISSION TO THE PTA PROGRAM. Each applicant to the PTA program must complete a minimum of twenty (20) hours as a volunteer/aide in two (2) different physical therapy facilities. This Program is nationally accredited through the Commission on Accreditation of Physical Therapy Education of the American Physical Therapy Association, 1111 North Fairfax St., Alexandria, VA 22314-1488. Admission criteria may be obtained from the Physical Therapist Assistant Program Office.

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Prerequisites

	ENGL	1301	1,3,4,5	English Composition I	3
	PSYC	2308		Human Growth and Development	3
+	BIO	1714		Anatomy and Physiology I	4
				Restricted Elective1	3
					------- 13

Semester I

	BIO	1724		Anatomy and Physiology II	4
+	PTA	1304		Physical Therapy I	4
+	PTA	1315		Surface and Functional Anatomy	5
					------- 13

Semester II

+	TCM	1603		Introduction to Technical Writing	3
+	PTA	1403		Pathophysiological Conditions	3
+	PTA	1405		Physical Therapy II	5
					------- 11

Semester III

+	PTA	1502		Therapeutic Neurophysiology	2
+	PTA	1504		Physical Therapy III	4
					------- 6

Semester IV

+	AHS	2403		Concepts in Rehabilitation	3
+	PTA	2104		Physical Therapy IV	4
+	PTA	2113		Clinical Training I	3
					------- 10

Semester V

+	PTA	2204		Physical Therapy V	4
+	PTA	2214		Clinical Training II	4
				Unrestricted Elective	3
					------- 11

Semester VI

+	PTA	2301		Physical Therapy VI	1
+	PTA	2316		Clinical Training III	6
					------- 7
				TOTALS	------- 71

+ Prerequisites: See Course Descriptions
¹ Restricted Elective: course selection must be approved by Program Coordinator; includes but is not limited to PSYC 2301 or SOCI 1301.