Austin Community College

FY 2009 Degree Plan

Physical therapist assistants perform physical therapy interventions 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 national 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 www.austincc.edu/health/ptha. Students accepted into the program are required to have a physical examination, provide documentation of immunizations, and verify annual tuberculosis status. At the time of successful completion of the program the graduate will demonstrate technical competence in entry level skills and knowledge required of a PTA. Physical therapy interventions will be provided safely, ethically and within the scope of practice as defined by the profession and licensure requirements.

Successful completion of a Criminal Background Check will be required of students as a condition of program acceptance. Applicants receiving a conditional acceptance letter will receive information about completion of the Criminal Background Check.

Program changes may not be reflected in the current ACC Catalog publication. Please access the most up to date information on the Program's Web Page through a link at www.austincc.edu/health/ptha.

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
				Mathematics1	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		Essentials of Medical Terminology PCM	1
					------- 14

Spring Semester

				Oral Communication1	3
+	PTHA	1321		Clinical Pathophysiology	3
+	PTHA	2409		Therapeutic Exercise	4
+	PTHA	2301		Essentials of Data Collection	3
					------- 13

Summer Semester

+	PTHA	2305		Clinical Neurology	3
+	PTHA	1431		Physical Agents	4
					------- 7

Fall Semester

+	PSYC	2314		Human Growth and Development	3
+	PTHA	2435		Rehabilitation Techniques	4
+	PTHA	1266		Practicum (or Field Experience) - Physical Therapist Assistant	2
					------- 9

Spring Semester

+				Humanities/Fine Arts1	3
+	PTHA	2431		Management of Neurological Disorders	4
+	PTHA	1267		Practicum (or Field Experience) - Physical Therapist Assistant	2
					------- 9

Summer Semester

+	PTHA	2250		Current Concepts in Physical Therapy	2
+	PTHA	2267		Practicum (or Field Experience) - Physical Therapist Assistant	2
+#	PTHA	2239		Professional Issues	2
					------- 6
				TOTALS	------- 71

¹ Select from the appropriate section of the General Education Course List.

For PTA applicants wishing to apply for the Optional Five-Semester Degree Plan, please be aware of the following differences in the application and selection process:

Those students preparing to apply for the "fast track" plan do not have to satisfy number 2 in the Program Admission Requirements. There are no required prerequisite courses. Students will also have to make a score of 75 or higher in the composite reading and math score of the HOBET exam. There is no minimum HOBET score for those students applying for the "traditional track". See number 4 in the Program Admission Requirements.

The selection process for applicants to the optional degree plan is as follows: The scores for the HOBET, Works Skills Assessments and Information Session Assessments will be totaled and applicants ranked accordingly. Applicants who have completed Human Anatomy will receive 5 bonus points which will be added to the above total score.

Semester I

	ENGL	1301		English Composition I	3
+	BIOL	2304		Human Anatomy Lecture	3
+	BIOL	2101		Human Anatomy Lab	1
	HPRS	1106		Essentials of Medical Terminology PCM	1
+	PTHA	1409		Introduction to Physical Therapy	4
+	PTHA	1513		Functional Anatomy	5
					------- 17

Semester II

				Mathematics1	3
+	BIOL	2305		Human Physiology Lecture	3
+	BIOL	2102		Human Physiology Lab	1
+	PTHA	2301		Essentials of Data Collection	3
+	PTHA	1321		Clinical Pathophysiology	3
+	PTHA	2409		Therapeutic Exercise	4
					------- 17

Semester III

	PSYC	2301		Introduction to Psychology	3
+	PTHA	1431		Physical Agents	4
+	PTHA	2305		Clinical Neurology	3
+	PTHA	1266		Practicum (or Field Experience) - Physical Therapist Assistant	2
					------- 12

Semester IV

+	PSYC	2314		Human Growth and Development	3
				Oral Communication1	3
+	PTHA	1267		Practicum (or Field Experience) - Physical Therapist Assistant	2
+	PTHA	2435		Rehabilitation Techniques	4
					------- 12

Semester V

				Humanities/Fine Arts1	3
+	PTHA	2431		Management of Neurological Disorders	4
+	PTHA	2239		Professional Issues	2
+	PTHA	2250		Current Concepts in Physical Therapy	2
+#	PTHA	2267		Practicum (or Field Experience) - Physical Therapist Assistant	2
					------- 13
				TOTALS	------- 71

¹ Select from the appropriate section of the General Education Course List.