Physical Therapist Assistant, A.A.S.
Entry Time
Fall
Award
Associate of Applied Science degree
2 years (5 terms including summer)
PTA graduates qualify to take the licensure exam given by the Federation of State Boards in Physical Therapy. Licensure is granted by the Iowa Board of Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy Examiners. Most states, including Iowa, require a license to practice as a PTA. Annual continuing education hours are required to maintain a license.
Physical therapist assistants (PTAs) work closely with physical therapists (PTs) to provide services to people with physical disabilities. Patient treatments may include exercise, functional activities, gait training, massage, electrical stimulation, hot/cold packs, traction and ultrasound and other therapeutic interventions. The PT performs an initial patient examination and identifies patient problems and goals, then outlines a plan of care. The PTA assists the PT by carrying out all or part of the plan of care, monitoring the patient’s progress and documenting the care.
This Allied Health program has a mandatory background check for clinical purposes.
Accreditation
The Physical Therapist Assistant program at Kirkwood Community College is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE).
Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE)
3030 Potomac Ave, Suite 100
Alexandria, VA, 22305-3085
(703) 706-3245
website: www.capteonline.org
Email: accreditation@apta.org
To contact the program/institution directly, call (319) 398-5566.
Career Opportunities
- outpatient clinics - orthopedics, sports medicine, pediatrics, etc.
- hospitals
- home health
- skilled nursing facilities
- nursing homes
- rehabilitation centers
- school systems
The primary location for Physical Therapist Assistant students will be the Linn County Regional Center in Hiawatha.
Degree Requirements
| Prerequisites | Credit Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| PTA-101 | Introduction to PTA 3 | 2 |
| BIO-168 | Human Anatomy and Physiology I 3 | 4 |
| Select one of the following: | 2.5 | |
| Basic Medical Terminology 3 | ||
| Medical Terminology 3 | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Communication for Health Care Professionals 3 | ||
| Fundamentals of Oral Communication 3 | ||
| Public Speaking 3 | ||
| Term Totals: | 11.5 | |
| Term 1 | ||
| Fall | ||
| PTA-103 | PTA Patient Assessment 3 | 2 |
| PTA-120 | Kinesiology 3 | 3 |
| PTA-140 | Functional Motor Development 3 | 3 |
| BIO-173 | Human Anatomy Physiology II 1, 3 | 4 |
| HSC-107 | Professionals in Health 1 | 2 |
| Term Totals: | 14 | |
| Term 2 | ||
| Spring | ||
| PTA-110 | Fundamentals for PTA 2, 3 | 3 |
| PTA-150 | Pathophysiology 3 | 3 |
| PTA-196 | PTA Modalities 3 | 4 |
| PTA-203 | PTA Therapeutic Exercise 3 | 2 |
| PSY-111 | Intro to Psychology 1 | 3 |
| Humanities or History/Culture Course 1 | 3 | |
| Term Totals: | 18 | |
| Term 3 | ||
| Summer | ||
| ENG-105 | Composition I 1 | 3 |
| PTA-160 | PTA Procedures I 3 | 3 |
| PTA-161 | PTA Procedures II 3 | 3 |
| PTA-301 | PTA Clinic I 2, 3 | 2 |
| Term Totals: | 11 | |
| Term 4 | ||
| Fall | ||
| PTA-215 | Orthopedic Issues 3 | 4 |
| PTA-232 | Rehab for Medical Conditions 3 | 4 |
| PTA-241 | Neurology for PTA 3 | 4 |
| PTA-302 | PTA Clinic II 2, 3 | 2 |
| Term Totals: | 14 | |
| Term 5 | ||
| Spring | ||
| PTA-250 | PTA Career Essentials 3 | 2 |
| PTA-432 | PTA Clinic III 2, 3 | 6 |
| PTA-433 | PTA Clinic IV 2, 3 | 6 |
| Term Totals: | 14 | |
| Program Totals: | 82.5 | |
- 1
Courses may be taken before beginning the technical portion of the program.
- 2
Indicates a course which involves off-campus clinical experience.
- 3
Minimum C grade required for graduation
Optional Courses
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| HSC-103 | Studies in Health Sciences | 1-3 |
| PTA-924 | Honors Project | 1 |