Austin Community College

FY 2005 Degree Plan

Physical therapist assistants perform physical therapy treatments and other duties under the supervision and direction 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 administered 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 forty (40) hours as a volunteer/aide in a physical therapy facility. 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; (703) 706-3245. Admission criteria may be obtained from the Physical Therapist Assistant Program Office or by visiting the program web site at http://www.austincc.edu/pta. Students accepted into the program are required to have a physical examination, provide documentation of immunizations, and verify annual tuberculosis status.

A Criminal Background Check will be required of students as mandated by law or as a condition of program approval/accreditation.

Prerequisites

	ENGL	1301		English Composition I	3
	PSYC	2301		Introduction to Psychology	3
+	BIOL	2304		Human Anatomy Lecture	3
+	BIOL	2101		Human Anatomy Lab	1
+	MATH	1333		Mathematics for Measurement	3
					------- 13

Fall Semester

+	BIOL	2305		Human Physiology Lecture	3
+	BIOL	2102		Human Physiology Lab	1
+	PTHA	1409		Introduction to Physical Therapy	4
+	PTHA	1513		Functional Anatomy	5
	HPRS	1106		Medical Terminology PCM	1
					------- 14

Spring Semester

				Oral Communication1	3
+	PTHA	1321		Clinical Pathophysiology	3
+	PTHA	2409		Therapeutic Exercise	4
+	PTHA	2301		Assessment Skills	3
					------- 13

Summer Semester

+	PTHA	2205		Clinical Neurology	2
+	PTHA	1431		Physical Agents	4
					------- 6

Fall Semester

+	PSYC	2314		Human Growth and Development	3
+	PTHA	2435		Rehabilitation Techniques	4
+	PTHA	1266		Practicum -- PTA	2
					------- 9

Spring Semester

+				Humanities/Fine Arts2	3
+	PTHA	2431		Management of Neurological Disorders	4
+	PTHA	1267		Practicum -- PTA	2
					------- 9

Summer Semester

+	PTHA	2230		Current Concepts in Physical Therapy	2
+#	PTHA	2267		Practicum PTA	2
+	PTHA	2239		Professional Issues	2
					------- 6
				TOTALS	------- 70

¹ Select from Oral Communications in the General Education Course List.
² Select from Humanities/Fine Arts in the General Education Course List, with PTA Program Coordinator approval.