Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA)

Includes orientation to the profession of physical therapy, legal aspects of physical therapy practice, interdisciplinary team, cultural diversity, medical terminology, research and evidence-based practice, and introductory patient-care skills such as communication, aseptic techniques, body mechanics, safety procedures, wheelchair management, patient transfers, patient positioning and draping, and vital signs, identification and fitting of ambulation aids, basic gait training, patient and consumer education. Lecture: 2 credits (30 contact hours). Laboratory: 3 credits (90 contact hours).

Introduces basic concepts of health and disease and introductory patient care skills. Includes orientation to the profession of physical therapy, legal aspects of physical therapy practice, and introductory patient-care skills such as aseptic technique; body mechanics; safety procedures; wheelchair management; patient transfers; positioning and draping; gait training; passive, active, and active-assisted exercise and stretching. Lecture: 2 credits (30 contact hours).

Develops introductory patient-care skills such as communication; safety procedures; aseptic technique; body mechanics; wheelchair management; patient transfers; positioning and draping; gait training; pain assessment; passive, active, and active-assisted exercise; stretching; and documentation. Lab experiences will reflect concepts taught in the paired lecture course. Laboratory: 2 credits (60 contact hours).

Encompasses the neuroanatomy of the central and peripheral nervous systems and applies these concepts to common neurological pathologies found in rehabilitation. Lecture: 1.0 credit (15 contact hours).

Emphasizes the structure and function of the musculoskeletal system, the relationship with biomechanical principles, basic physical principles, and the mechanical aspects of human motion. Includes muscle testing, flexibility testing, goniometry, and aspects of normal gait and posture. Lecture: 3 credits (45 contact hours). Lab: 3 credits (90 contact hours).

Includes the study of health and disease of all age groups with an emphasis on the etiology, pathology, prevention, data collection, and physical therapy interventions in selected medical and surgical conditions encountered in physical therapy. Lecture: 3 credits (45 contact hours).

Includes clinical observation and practice of selected physical therapy interventions and data collection with the application of knowledge from previous/concurrent PTA courses and general education coursework. Clinical: 1 credit (60 contact hours).

Includes the basic physical science principles of selected physical therapy interventions, data collection, and selected physiotherapy interventions including wound therapy, compression therapy, safety procedures, gait training, traction, massage, superficial heat and cold, deep heat modalities, electrotherapy, ultraviolet radiation, hydrotherapy, and documentation. Lecture: 2 credits (30 contact hours). Laboratory: 3 credits (90 contact hours).

Includes the basic physical science, data collection, and principles of selected physical therapy interventions including, massage, superficial heat and cold, sound agents, electromagnetic radiation, electrotherapy, biofeedback, traction, and compression therapy. Student cannot progress to PTA 240 without a grade of C or better in all other co-requisite courses. Lecture: 2.0 credits (30 contact hours).

Develops skills in data collection, documentation, and the application of selected physical therapy interventions including, massage, superficial heat and cold, sound agents, electrotherapy, biofeedback, traction, and compression therapy. Lab experiences will reflect concepts taught in the paired lecture course. Student cannot progress to PTA 240 without a grade of C or better in all other co-requisite courses. Lab: 2.0 credits (60 contact hours).

Emphasizes selected physical therapy interventions, documentation, and data collection for management of patients with the following problems: musculoskeletal conditions, pulmonary diseases, pathological gait, balance problems, thermal injuries, arthritis, amputations and cardiac diseases. Includes therapeutic exercise, orthotics, prosthetics, wellness, and women's health issues. Lecture: 2 credits (30 contact hours). Laboratory: 3 credits (90 contact hours).

Emphasizes the etiology, pathology, prevention, data collection, and selected physical therapy interventions for management of patients with the following problems: musculoskeletal conditions, pathological gait, arthritis, and amputations. Includes the study of wellness and women' issues, therapeutic exercise, orthotics, and prosthetics. Lecture: 2 credits (30 contact hours).

Develops skills in selected physical therapy interventions and data collection for management of patients with the following problems: musculoskeletal conditions, pathological gait, arthritis, and amputations. Includes therapeutic exercise, orthotics, prosthetics, and supportive devices. Laboratory: 2 credits (60 contact hours).

Develops skills in the application of selected physical therapy interventions for patients of all age groups with disabilities resulting from the following: brain injury, spinal cord injury, genetic/congenital, and balance disorders. Includes techniques of neuromuscular re-education. Laboratory: 2 credits (60 contact hours).

Focuses on etiology, pathology, progression, prevention, data collection, and selected physical therapy interventions for management of patients of all age groups with disabilities resulting from the following: brain injury, spinal cord injury, and genetic/congenital disorders. Includes balance disorders, normal growth and development, and the rationale and techniques of neuromuscular re-education. Lecture: 2 credits (30 contact hours).

Includes clinical observation and practice of selected physical therapy interventions and data collection with the application of knowledge from previous/concurrent PTA courses and general education coursework. 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 all Co-requisite courses. Practicum: 2 credits (160 contact hours).

Focuses on rehabilitation procedures, including assistive devices, for patients of all age groups with disabilities resulting from brain injury, spinal cord injury, genetic/congenital disorders, and other neurodegenerative disorders. Includes normal growth and development and the rationale and techniques of neuromuscular re-education. Lecture: 3 credits (45 contact hours). Laboratory: 2 credits (60 contact hours).

Emphasis on data collection and advanced selected interventions for managing patients with pathology in the following bodily systems: Cardiovascular, Respiratory, and Integumentary, as well as patients requiring care within specialized environments. Lecture: 1 credits (15 contact hours).

Develops skills in the application of selected physical therapy interventions for patients with the following problems: respiratory system, cardiovascular system, metabolic, and rheumatologic pathologies; psychiatric disorders; infectious diseases; oncology; thermal injuries; integumentary disorders; and wounds. Includes therapeutic exercise and wound care. Laboratory: 1 credit (30 contact hours).

Emphasizes the etiology, pathology, prevention, data collection, and selected physical therapy interventions for management of patients with the following conditions: respiratory system, cardiovascular system, metabolic, and rheumatologic pathologies; psychiatric disorders; infectious diseases; oncology; thermal injuries; integumentary disorders; and wounds. Includes therapeutic exercise and wound care. Completion of PTA 240 with a grade of "P.". Students cannot progress to PTA 280 without a grade of "C" or better in all other co-requisite courses. Lecture: 2 credits (30 contact hours)

Presents topics to assist the student in the transition to physical therapist assistant including trends, specialized practice, patient services, and the employment process. Utilizes case studies to assist students to integrate theory and practice. Lecture: 2 credits (30 contact hours).

Includes clinical observation and practice of physical therapy interventions and data collection with the application of knowledge from previous and concurrent PTA courses and general education coursework. By the end of the clinical experience the student will demonstrate an entry level of practice. Practicum: 5 credits (400 contact hours).

Develops selected data collection techniques in physical therapy, including: goniometry, manual muscle testing, flexibility, sensory integrity, reflex testing, and postural assessment. Lab experiences will reflect concepts taught in paired lecture course. Lab: 3 credits (90 contact hours).

Provides knowledge related to the structure and function of the musculoskeletal system, the relationship with biomechanical principles, basic physical principles, and the mechanical aspects of human motion. Includes principles of muscle testing, flexibility testing, goniometry, and aspects of normal gait and posture. Lecture: 3 credits (45 contact hours).