Physical Therapist Assistant A.A.S.

Physical Therapist Assistant  A.A.S. (TP/SS)

Revised: Effective Semester - Spring 2010

Students who plan to major in physical therapist assistant will be assigned the temporary major of pre-physical therapist assistant, with POS code 580, until they are officially admitted to the physical therapist assistant program. Students may take preparatory courses and courses that fulfill general education requirements during the waiting period. As an alternative to being assigned a temporary major, students waiting for admission to the physical therapist assistant program may choose to major in general studies or any other open-admission program. The Office of Admissions, Records, and Registration at Takoma Park will assign a matriculated code once students are admitted to the physical therapist assistant program.

The program provides a foundation for graduates to become highly skilled in providing patient services using physical therapy techniques under the supervision of a physical therapist in clinics, hospitals, and many other health care settings.

This is a selective program with specific admissions requirements. For additional information, contact the Admissions Office at the Takoma Park Campus, 301-650-1501, or the program department.

Thirty to forty hours of volunteer experience in a physical therapy setting and completion of BI 204 are highly recommended before entering the program. It is advised that students not hold jobs during enrollment in the program because physical therapist assistant classes and lab sessions are scheduled days and evenings, and students are required to attend full-time or part-time clinical practicum experiences.

Each physical therapy course adds to material offered in previous courses. Students in this curriculum are expected to achieve a grade of C or better in each course in the curriculum. Upon completion of the curriculum, the graduate will receive the A.A.S. and will be eligible to take the National Licensing Exam for Physical Therapist Assistants.

A suggested course sequence for full-time students follows; part-time students should consult an adviser.

Program Outcomes for the Physical Therapist Assistant A.A.S. Degree

Upon completion of this program a student will be able to:

• meet performance expectations for delivery of interventions, communication, education, and  resource management by
  • demonstrating entry level knowledge, clinical skills, and professional abilities of a physical therapist assistant,
  • providing competent patient care under the supervision of a physical therapist, in an ethical, legal, safe, and effective manner in a variety of health care settings, and
  • delivering appropriate clinical interventions based on best clinical practice and sound clinical evidence;
  
  
  
•  meet behavioral expectations of altruism, caring and compassion, cultural competence, duty, integrity, PT/PTA collaboration, responsibility and social responsibility;
  
   
  

  • successfully initiate career development activities by
    • demonstrating realistic self-appraisal as the basis for practicing continuous professional competence and lifelong learning,
    • participating in clinical education, and
    • achieving an effective transition from the education program to a career as a physical therapist assistant.
    
    

Refer to course description pages to identify courses with prerequisites.
Courses in italics meet General Education requirements.