Physical Therapist Assistant Program

Traditional/On-Campus Program Preference

1st semester:

Students are present for lecture courses on Mondays and Wednesdays. Students must be present for lab courses all day on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays. There will be circumstances in which participation on a Saturday may be required.

2nd semester:

Students are present for lecture courses on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays; and are present for lab courses on Tuesdays and Thursdays. There will be circumstances in which participation on a Saturday may be required. All students will be assigned to a two-week, full-time (40 hours/week) clinical during this semester.

3rd semester:

In addition to academic courses, PTA students are required to participate in clinical practicum and lab experiences off campus at health care facilities. During the 3rd semester, each student is assigned to 16 weeks of full-time (40 hours/week) clinical placement. These internships are supervised by licensed clinical instructors in a variety of physical therapy settings. The clinical schedule typically involves a student to be present Monday through Friday 8 am to 5 pm; however, students must follow the schedule of their designated clinical instructor. Additional hours or participation on weekends during clinical assignments may be required. Clinical placement may be geographically distant from home or permanent address and will be assigned by the Academic Coordinator of Clinical Education (ACCE) based on Program goals, objectives, and necessary learning experiences. Students are responsible for their own transportation and lodging for clinical education and off-campus experiences.

This course sequence is preferred by students who desire a more structured learning environment. On-campus classes are all enhanced and/or supported by the Blackboard course-management system. A portion of the on-campus program is delivered through distance education services.

Internet/Online Program Preference

This is a hybrid program and CANNOT be completed entirely online. All students are required to be on campus for laboratory sessions and clinical experiences. Lecture courses available online may still require that PTA students visit instructional sites to give presentations or to complete exams, quizzes, labs and/or clinicals.

1st Semester:

Students are present for laboratory courses all day on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays. There will be circumstances in which participation on a Saturday may be required. All lecture courses are completed online.

2nd semester:

Students are present for laboratory courses all day Tuesdays and Thursdays. All lecture courses are completed online. There will be circumstances in which participation on a Friday or Saturday may be required. All students will be assigned to a two-week, full-time (40 hours/week) clinical during this semester.

3rd semester:

In addition to academic courses, PTA students are required to participate in clinical practicums and lab experiences off campus at health care facilities. During the 3rd semester, each student is assigned to 16 weeks of full-time (40 hours per week) clinical placement. These internships are supervised by licensed clinical instructors in a variety of physical therapy settings. The clinical schedule typically involves a student to be present Monday through Friday 8 am to 5 pm; however, students must follow the schedule of their designated clinical instructor. Additional hours or participation on weekends during clinical assignments may be required. Clinical placement may be geographically distant from home or permanent address and will be assigned by the Academic Coordinator of Clinical Education (ACCE) based on Program goals, objectives, and necessary learning experiences. Students are responsible for their own transportation and lodging for clinical education and off- campus experiences.

Overall, the internet course sequence is preferred by students who desire some flexibility during the school week. However, online students must be highly organized; the online environment requires more planning, preparation, and detail. The online student must also be very motivated, disciplined, self-directed and be willing to and make the time commitments involved with assuming this challenging responsibility.

Please feel free to contact a department advisor for additional questions!