Associate of Science in Physical Therapist Assistant (AS)

Division: Nursing & Allied Health

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 

GENERAL EDUCATION AND SUBJECT REQUIREMENTS22
College of the Sequoias' Associate Degree General Education (COS-GE) *
+
PREREQUISITES COURSES8
BIOL 030Human Anatomy *4
BIOL 031Human Physiology4
+
REQUIRED MAJOR COURSES43
PTA 121Fundamentals for the PTA2
PTA 125Basic Prin of Patient Mgmt3
PTA 128Kinesiology3
PTA 130Physical Agents and Modalities3
PTA 131Engineering & Physics for PTA1
PTA 139Pathophysiology2
PTA 140Administration1
PTA 145Neurorehabilitation for PTA3
PTA 148Orthopedic Management3
PTA 150Clinical Education 13
PTA 152Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation3
PTA 155Therapeutic Exercise4
PTA 160Clinical Education 25
PTA 161Clinical Education 36
PTA 170Seminar for PTA1
=
TOTAL70
*

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:

  1. 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),
  2. General Education requirements,
  3. Subject requirements including American Institutions.
  4. 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.