Physical Therapist Assistant Program

General Information

PTA Profession

The Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) is a technically educated health care provider who works under the supervision of a Physical Therapist. The PTA performs duties and carries out treatment plans as directed by the physical therapist. Duties of the PTA are varied and include but are not limited to the application of physical modalities, exercise programs, gait training, functional activities, and patient education. The work involved in physical therapy includes physical activity such as bending, lifting patients, and prolonged standing and walking. PTAs utilize various rehabilitative techniques to help patients whose abilities have been impaired by an accident, injury, illness, disease or other health-related conditions that limit movement and functional abilities. PTAs work in a variety of settings including acute care and rehabilitation hospitals, outpatient facilities, school systems, nursing homes, home health and sports medicine clinics. The PTA is an important member of the dynamic rehabilitation team and will interact with other health care providers including occupational therapists and assistants, nurses, speech pathologists, and physicians.

Associate of Applied Science Degree

The Physical Therapist Assistant Program is a two-year course of study leading to an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree.

PTA Program

The PTA program is a structured 1 + 1 format requiring all applicants to complete all of the prerequisite courses prior to acceptance into the on-campus or online track programs. This means that it takes approximately one academic year of specific college prerequisite courses, taken at an accredited college of choice, followed by one year of professional coursework. A new class of PTA students begins each year in May and the professional program runs for 3 consecutive semesters. Faculty include three full-time members, adjunct faculty members and guest lecturers.

Program Options

Jefferson State Community College has two PTA Programs, an On-Campus Program* and an Online Track Program**. Click for Admission Requirements to view the list of prerequisite courses and other program requirements. Click for On-Campus Vs. Online to view the expectations and sequence of courses for each program.

*The On-Campus classes are all enhanced and/or supported by the Blackboard course-management system.

**The Online Program cannot be completed entirely online; the program requires students to be at the Shelby-Hoover Campus for all laboratory sessions. Online lecture courses may also require students to visit instructional sites for presentations or to complete exams, quizzes, and/or clinicals.

Accreditation

Both PTA programs are accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA). Address: 1111 North Fairfax Street, Alexandria, VA 22314-1288. Phone number: (334)242-4064 or (888) 726-9743.

Facility

The PTA department is located on the 3rd floor of the General Studies Building at the Shelby-Hoover campus. The PTA lab is furnished with equipment and supplies reflective of current patient care. The first floor library carries essential therapy resources including The Rehabilitation Reference Center.

Updates

The physical therapist assistant program is currently undergoing revision. Published guidelines and requirements are subject to change without notice. Updated information is posted on this web site as available.

July 2011

• The PTA Program is offering an alternative 2 point option; this is for candidates applying by January 15, 2012 only. In order to qualify for 2 bonus points on the ranking formula for qualified candidates, students may: (1) complete PHS 112 (Physical Science 112) with a grade of C or higher; or (2) complete any Physics course with a grade of C or higher; or (3) complete a series of Intro to PTA seminars . For more information, please contact a PTA advisor.

June 2011

• Jon Lamb, PT was appointed the new PTA Advisory Chairperson.

May 2011

• The PTA Program Application is available for download.

October 2010

• Admission requirements for the physical therapist assistant program have changed. New applicants should review all requirements listed on the link for Admission Requirements . This is effective immediately.
• The program sequence has changed. Courses will no longer begin in January; the PTA program will begin every Summer semester. The next application deadline is January 15, 2012 for courses beginning Summer 2012.