Degrees Offered - Physical Therapist Assistant (AAS) | TJC

Degrees Offered - Physical Therapist Assistant (AAS)

Record details

Physical therapist assistants (PTAs) provide physical therapy services under the direction and supervision of a physical therapist and assist the physical therapist in the treatment of individuals with medical and health related conditions which limit their ability to perform functional activities.

The goal of physical therapy treatment is to restore function, reduce pain and prevent disability. PTAs provide care for people in hospitals, outpatient clinics, patient’s homes, schools, work settings, nursing homes and fitness facilities.

Our Physical Therapist Assistant program is five semesters long and includes three, six-week clinical rotations under the supervision of a physical therapist or physical therapist assistant. Our faculty provides a combination of individual attention, a friendly atmosphere, and a small student-to-faculty ratio.

Upon successful completion of the program and pending the program being granted Accredited status by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), students are eligible to take the National Physical Therapy Exam (NPTE) given by the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT) to become a licensed physical therapist assistant. The state of Texas requires a license to practice. Licensure involves a separate application process and is based on successful completion of the NPTE.

Catalog Year
2023-2024
Degree Type
AAS
Available Online
No
Available Hybrid
No
TSI
Reading & Writing Complete
Degree Plan
Major Courses 45 Credits

PTHA 1225 Communication in Health Care

 

PTHA 1301 The Profession of Physical Therapy

 

PTHA 1405 Basic Patient Care Skills

 

PTHA 1413 Functional Anatomy

 

PTHA 2509 Therapeutic Exercise

 

PTHA 2201 Essentials of Data Collection

 

PTHA 1431 Physical Agents

 

PTHA 1321 Pathophysiology for the PTA

 

PTHA 1266 Practicum (or Field Experience) - Physical Therapist Assistant

 

PTHA 2205 Neurology

 

PTHA 2431 Management of Neurological Disorders

 

PTHA 2435 Rehabilitation Techniques

 

PTHA 2239 Professional Issues

 

PTHA 2266 Practicum (or Field Experience) - Physical Therapist Assistant

 

PTHA 2267 Practicum (or Field Experience) - Physical Therapist Assistant

 
General Education Courses 17 Credits

Every Associate of Applied Science degree plan must contain at least 15 semester hours of general education courses. At least one course must be taken from each of the following areas: humanities/fine arts (language, philosophy & culture/creative arts), social/behavioral science (social and behavioral sciences/American history/government/ political science), and natural science/mathematics (life and physical sciences/mathematics).

Major Courses: 45
General Education Requirements: 17
Total Semester Hours: 62

Recommended Course Sequence:

Prerequisites Credit Hours

ENGL 1301 Composition I

3

BIOL 2401 Anatomy and Physiology I

4
First Semester Credit Hours

PTHA 1225 Communication in Health Care

2

PTHA 1301 The Profession of Physical Therapy

3

PTHA 1405 Basic Patient Care Skills

4

PTHA 1413 Functional Anatomy

4

BIOL 2402 Anatomy and Physiology II

4
Second Semester Credit Hours
PTHA 2509 Therapeutic Exercise 5
PTHA 2201 Essentials of Data Collection 2
PTHA 1431 Physical Agents 4
PTHA 1321 Pathophysiology for the PTA 3
PSYC 2314 Lifespan Growth & Development 3
Summer I Credit Hours
PTHA 1266 Practicum (or Field Experience) - Physical Therapist Assistant 2
Third Semester Credit Hours
PTHA 2205 Neurology 2
PTHA 2431 Management of Neurological Disorders 4
PTHA 2435 Rehabilitation Techniques 4
PHIL 2306 Introduction to Ethics 3
Fourth Semester Credit Hours
PTHA 2239 Professional Issues 2
PTHA 2266 Practicum (or Field Experience) - Physical Therapist Assistant 2
PTHA 2267 Practicum (or Field Experience) 2
Total Semester Hours 62

Courses titled in bold type represent general education requirements. 

Non-PTHA courses may be taken prior to admission to the Physical Therapist Assistant program. 

Selective admissions and retention rules apply. Department specific courses must be taken in sequence. Students must complete each course with at least a “C” or better to progress through the program. See program website at www.tjc.edu/PTA for details. 

The Tyler Junior College Physical Therapist Assistant Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), 1111 North Fairfax Street, Alexandria, Virginia 22314; telephone: 703-706-3245; email: accreditation@apta.org

Graduation from a physical therapist assistant education program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), is necessary for eligibility to sit for the licensure examination, which is required in all states. Please note: a felony conviction may affect a student’s acceptance to the program and a graduate’s ability to sit for the NPTE and/or obtain state licensure.