Associate of Science in Physical Therapist Assistant (AS)
This degree prepares students for entry-level employment and/or potential further study in the field of Physical Therapist Assistant through the study of kinesiology, principles of patient management, modalities, pathophysiology, orthopedic management and clinical education. Students will acquire skills in the scope of a physical therapist assistant. This degree allows graduates to take the national PTA license examination.
Program Outcomes
- Pass the NPTE/PTA Licensing Examination.
- Demonstrate competent intellectual, hands-on and professional skills to provide physical therapy services under the direction of a physical therapist.
- Adhere to professional behaviors set by the APTA’s Code of Ethics.
- Demonstrate patient safety at all times.
- Achieve a successful transition to employment as a PTA.
Career Opportunities
Upon successful completion of this degree, students will be prepared for careers or employment in the following fields: acute care hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, outpatient rehabilitation clinics, inpatient rehabilitation centers, school based health care services.
Note
This degree is not designed for transfer; however, the courses included in this degree may be transferable and apply to other degrees designed for transfer. This is not a Pre-Physical Therapy Degree.
Program Requirements
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| GENERAL EDUCATION AND SUBJECT REQUIREMENTS | 22 | |
College of the Sequoias' Associate Degree General Education (COS-GE) * | ||
| + | ||
| PREREQUISITES COURSES | 8 | |
| BIOL 030 | Human Anatomy * | 4 |
| BIOL 031 | Human Physiology | 4 |
| + | ||
| REQUIRED MAJOR COURSES | 43 | |
| PTA 121 | Fundamentals for the PTA | 2 |
| PTA 125 | Basic Principles of Patient Management | 3 |
| PTA 128 | Kinesiology | 3 |
| PTA 130 | Physical Agents and Modalities | 3 |
| PTA 131 | Engineering and Physics for PTA | 1 |
| PTA 139 | Pathophysiology | 2 |
| PTA 140 | Administration | 1 |
| PTA 145 | Neurorehabilitation for PTA | 3 |
| PTA 148 | Orthopedic Management | 3 |
| PTA 150 | Clinical Education 1 | 3 |
| PTA 152 | Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation | 3 |
| PTA 155 | Therapeutic Exercise | 4 |
| PTA 160 | Clinical Education 2 | 5 |
| PTA 161 | Clinical Education 3 | 6 |
| PTA 170 | Seminar for PTA | 1 |
| = | ||
| TOTAL | 70 | |
- *
Courses meet General Education requirements and 3 units may double count above in COS-GE. Students earning a degree in Physical Therapy Assistant are exempt from the 2-unit PE subject requirement and the 1-unit Information Competency requirement. Physical Therapist Assistant students are also exempt from the 3-unit Health & Wellness requirement; however, one of the following must be completed as an alternative: PSY 1, SOC 1, or NURS 106.
The Associate Degree requirements include completion of the:
- Required major courses and restricted elective courses with a "C" or better grade in each course (required and restricted elective courses may be substituted with the approval of the Division Chair),
- General Education requirements,
- Subject requirements including American Institutions.
- A minimum of 60 units of degree applicable courses numbered 1-299, at least 12 of which must be taken in residence at College of the Sequoias, with a "C" (2.0) average (see Associate Degree Requirements for additional details).
Physical Therapist Assistant Program Admission Criteria
- Cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher.
- 2.5 or higher GPA on combined biology prerequisites: BIOL 030 Human Anatomy - 4 semester units including a lab component; BIOL 031 Human Physiology - 4 semester units including a lab component.
- A minimum grade of “C” in all prerequisite courses is required. Please be advised that a “C” in all prerequisites courses does not meet the 2.5 minimum GPA requirements. Students are ranked for admission based on grades in Human Anatomy and Human Physiology.
- No more than one repetition of any biology course is allowed. "W" counts as a repeat.