Program Overview
Physical Therapist Assistant Technology - A.A.S.
About This Program
Join one of the fastest-growing healthcare fields with Kent State's Physical Therapist Assistant Technology A.A.S. program. With a blend of classroom instruction and hands-on experience, you'll learn the skills needed to provide high-quality patient care and support.
Contact Information
- Ashley Vlasov, PTA, MPH | |
- Speak with an Advisor
- Ashtabula Campus
- East Liverpool Campus
- Online (any campus above)
- Chat with an Admissions Counselor
Program Delivery
- Delivery:
- Mostly online (Athletic Trainers Transition concentration only)
- In person
- Location:
- Ashtabula Campus
- East Liverpool Campus (Athletic Trainers Transition concentration not offered)
Examples of Possible Careers and Salaries
- Physical therapist assistants
- 32.6% much faster than the average
- 98,700 number of jobs
- $59,770 potential earnings
Accreditation
The Physical Therapist Assistant program at Kent State University at Ashtabula and East Liverpool, and the PTA program for NATA-BOC Certified Athletic Trainers are accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), 3030 Potomac Ave., Suite 100, Alexandria, Virginia ; telephone: ; email: ; website:
Admission Requirements
The university affirmatively strives to provide educational opportunities and access to students with varied backgrounds, those with special talents and adult students who graduated from high school three or more years ago.
Kent State campuses at Ashtabula, East Liverpool, Geauga, Salem, Stark, Trumbull and Tuscarawas, and the Twinsburg Academic Center, have open enrollment admission for students who hold a high school diploma, GED or equivalent.
Some programs may require that students meet certain requirements before progressing through the program. For programs with progression requirements, the information is shown on the Coursework tab.
International Students: All international students must provide proof of English language proficiency (unless they meet specific exceptions to waive) by earning a minimum 71 TOEFL iBT score, minimum 6.0 IELTS score, minimum 47 PTE score or minimum 100 DET score, or by completing the ELS level 112 Intensive English Program. For more information on international admission visit the admissions website for international students.
For more information on admissions, contact the Regional Campuses admissions offices.
Admission to the Athletic Trainers Transition concentration : Applicants must be board-certified athletic trainers.
Program Requirements
Major Requirements
- PTST 10000: INTRODUCTION TO PHYSICAL THERAPIST ASSISTANT (min C grade) - 1
- PTST 10001: PRINCIPLES OF PATIENT CARE IN PHYSICAL THERAPY (min C grade) - 4
- PTST 10003: CLINICAL CONDITIONS I (min C grade) - 2
- PTST 10011: INTRODUCTION TO THERAPEUTIC EXERCISE (min C grade) - 1
- PTST 11005: PHYSICAL THERAPY PRACTICE I (min C grade) - 2
- PTST 11092: CLINICAL EDUCATION I (ELR) - 1
- PTST 20003: CLINICAL CONDITIONS II (min C grade) - 2
- PTST 20004: PHYSICAL THERAPY PROCEDURES II (min C grade) - 4
- PTST 20006: PHYSICAL REHABILITATION PROCEDURES (min C grade) - 4
- PTST 20008: CLINICAL CONDITIONS III (min C grade) - 2
- PTST 20011: PHYSICAL THERAPIST ASSISTANT MANAGEMENT OF THE MEDICALLY COMPLEX PATIENT (min C grade) - 2
- PTST 22005: PHYSICAL THERAPY PRACTICE II (min C grade) - 2
- PTST 22007: PHYSICAL THERAPY PRACTICE III (min C grade) - 2
- PTST 22092: CLINICAL EDUCATION PRACTICUM II (ELR) - 2
- PTST 23092: CLINICAL EDUCATION PRACTICUM III (ELR) - 2
- Additional Requirements (courses do not count in major GPA)
- AHS 12005: CONCEPTS IN LIFESPAN DEVELOPMENT (min C grade) - 3
- AHS 12010: PROFESSIONALISM IN HEALTHCARE (min C grade) - 1
- AHS 24010 or HED 14020: MEDICAL TERMINOLOGY - 1-3
- PSYC 11762: GENERAL PSYCHOLOGY (DIVD) (KSS) - 3
- UC 10001: FLASHES 101 - 1
- Kent Core Composition - 3
- Kent Core Mathematics and Critical Reasoning - 3
- Kent Core Humanities and Fine Arts - 3
- Additional Requirements or Concentration
- Choose from the following: - 14
- Additional Requirements for Students Not Declaring a Concentration
- PTST 10004: PHYSICAL THERAPY PROCEDURES I (min C grade) - 4
- Additional Requirements (courses do not count in major GPA; min C grade required in all courses)
- AHS 22002: CLINICAL KINESIOLOGY - 3
- AHS 22003: CLINICAL KINESIOLOGY LABORATORY - 1
- BSCI 11010: FOUNDATIONAL ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY I (KBS) (KLAB) - 3
- BSCI 11020: FOUNDATIONAL ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY II (KBS) (KLAB) - 3
- Athletic Trainers Transition Concentration Requirements
- Concentration Requirements (courses do not count in major GPA)
- PTST 10010: TRANSITIONS IN PHYSICAL THERAPY (min C grade) - 8
- Additional Requirements (courses do not count in the major GPA)
- Kent Core Basic Sciences - 3
- General Elective (possible transfer coursework) - 3
- Concentration Requirements (courses do not count in major GPA)
Progression Requirements
To be able to register for Physical Therapist Assistant Technology (PTST) courses, students must be accepted to technical study. Acceptance to technical study is a selective process. Criteria for acceptance are the following:
- Completion of observation hours in a physical therapy clinic
- Minimum 2.700 overall GPA from the most recent academic experience of 12 credit hours or more
- Completion or placement out of all Kent State University prescribed developmental education coursework (ENG 01001 and READ 00006)
- Submission of application to technical study, separate from the university application
- Program Applicant Assessments as noted in the program application information packet for each cohort
Graduation Requirements
- Minimum Major GPA: 2.000
- Minimum Overall GPA: 2.000
Roadmaps
Roadmap for Non-Concentration Students
| Semester | Prerequisite | Credits | |
|---|---|---|---|
| BSCI 11010: FOUNDATIONAL ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY I (KBS) (KLAB) | 3 | ||
| PSYC 11762: GENERAL PSYCHOLOGY (DIVD) (KSS) | 3 | ||
| UC 10001: FLASHES 101 | 1 | ||
| Kent Core Requirement | 3 | ||
| Credit Hours | 10 | ||
| Semester One | AHS 12010: PROFESSIONALISM IN HEALTHCARE | 1 | |
| AHS 24010 or HED 14020: MEDICAL TERMINOLOGY | 1 | ||
| BSCI 11020: FOUNDATIONAL ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY II (KBS) (KLAB) | 3 | ||
| PTST 10000: INTRODUCTION TO PHYSICAL THERAPIST ASSISTANT | 1 | ||
| ! | PTST 10001: PRINCIPLES OF PATIENT CARE IN PHYSICAL THERAPY | 4 | |
| ! | PTST 10003: CLINICAL CONDITIONS I | 2 | |
| PTST 10011: INTRODUCTION TO THERAPEUTIC EXERCISE | 1 | ||
| Credit Hours | 13 | ||
| Semester Two | AHS 12005: CONCEPTS IN LIFESPAN DEVELOPMENT | 3 | |
| ! | AHS 22002: CLINICAL KINESIOLOGY | 3 | |
| ! | AHS 22003: CLINICAL KINESIOLOGY LABORATORY | 1 | |
| ! | PTST 10004: PHYSICAL THERAPY PROCEDURES I | 4 | |
| ! | PTST 11005: PHYSICAL THERAPY PRACTICE I | 2 | |
| Kent Core Requirement | 3 | ||
| Credit Hours | 16 | ||
| First Summer Term | PTST 11092: CLINICAL EDUCATION I (ELR) (East Liverpool campus only) | 0-1 | |
| Credit Hours | 0 | ||
| Semester Three | ! | PTST 11092: CLINICAL EDUCATION I (ELR) (Ashtabula Campus only) | 0-1 |
| ! | PTST 20003: CLINICAL CONDITIONS II | 2 | |
| ! | PTST 20004: PHYSICAL THERAPY PROCEDURES II | 4 | |
| ! | PTST 22005: PHYSICAL THERAPY PRACTICE II | 2 | |
| ! | PTST 22092: CLINICAL EDUCATION PRACTICUM II (ELR) (East Liverpool Campus only) | 0-2 | |
| Kent Core Requirement | 3 | ||
| Credit Hours | 14 | ||
| Semester Four | ! | PTST 20006: PHYSICAL REHABILITATION PROCEDURES | 4 |
| ! | PTST 22007: PHYSICAL THERAPY PRACTICE III | 2 | |
| ! | PTST 20008: CLINICAL CONDITIONS III | 2 | |
| ! | PTST 20011: PHYSICAL THERAPIST ASSISTANT MANAGEMENT OF THE MEDICALLY COMPLEX PATIENT | 2 | |
| ! | PTST 23092: CLINICAL EDUCATION PRACTICUM III (ELR) | 2 | |
| Credit Hours | 12 | ||
| Second Summer Term | PTST 22092: CLINICAL EDUCATION PRACTICUM II (ELR) (Ashtabula Campus only) | 0-2 | |
| Credit Hours | 0 | ||
| Third Summer Term | PTST 22092: CLINICAL EDUCATION PRACTICUM II (ELR) | 0-2 | |
| Credit Hours | 0 | ||
| Minimum Total Credit Hours | 65 |
Roadmap for Athletic Trainers Transition Concentration
| Semester | Prerequisite | Credits | |
|---|---|---|---|
| UC 10001: FLASHES 101 | 1 | ||
| Kent Core Requirements (possible transfer coursework) | 12 | ||
| General Electives (possible transfer coursework) | 3 | ||
| Credit Hours | 16 | ||
| Semester One | PSYC 11762: GENERAL PSYCHOLOGY (DIVD) (KSS) | 3 | |
| PTST 10000: INTRODUCTION TO PHYSICAL THERAPIST ASSISTANT | 1 | ||
| ! | PTST 10010: TRANSITIONS IN PHYSICAL THERAPY | 8 | |
| Transfer credit (no grade) for PTST 20003, PTST 20004 and PTST 10011 after completing PTST 10010 (min C grade) | 7 | ||
| Credit Hours | 19 | ||
| Semester Two | AHS 12005: CONCEPTS IN LIFESPAN DEVELOPMENT | 3 | |
| AHS 12010: PROFESSIONALISM IN HEALTHCARE | 1 | ||
| AHS 24010 or HED 14020: MEDICAL TERMINOLOGY | 1 | ||
| ! | PTST 10001: PRINCIPLES OF PATIENT CARE IN PHYSICAL THERAPY | 4 | |
| ! | PTST 10003: CLINICAL CONDITIONS I | 2 | |
| ! | PTST 11005: PHYSICAL THERAPY PRACTICE I | 2 | |
| Credit Hours | 13 | ||
| Semester Three | ! | PTST 11092: CLINICAL EDUCATION I (ELR) | 1 |
| ! | PTST 20006: PHYSICAL REHABILITATION PROCEDURES | 4 | |
| ! | PTST 20008: CLINICAL CONDITIONS III | 2 | |
| ! | PTST 22005: PHYSICAL THERAPY PRACTICE II | 2 | |
| Credit Hours | 9 | ||
| Semester Four | ! | PTST 22007: PHYSICAL THERAPY PRACTICE III | 2 |
| ! | PTST 22092: CLINICAL EDUCATION PRACTICUM II (ELR) | 2 | |
| ! | PTST 23092: CLINICAL EDUCATION PRACTICUM III (ELR) | 2 | |
| ! | PTST 20011: PHYSICAL THERAPIST ASSISTANT MANAGEMENT OF THE MEDICALLY COMPLEX PATIENT | 2 | |
| Credit Hours | 8 | ||
| Minimum Total Credit Hours | 65 |
University Requirements
All students in an applied or technical associate degree program at Kent State University must complete the following university requirements for graduation.
- Flashes 101 (UC 10001) - 1
- Course is not required for students with 30+ transfer credits (excluding College Credit Plus) or age 21+ at time of admission.
- Kent Core (see table below) - 15
- Total Credit Hour Requirement - 60
- Some associate degrees require students to complete more than 60 credit hours.
Kent Core Requirements
| Requirement | Credits/Courses |
|---|---|
| Kent Core Composition (KCMP) | 3 |
| Kent Core Mathematics and Critical Reasoning (KMCR) | 3 |
| Kent Core Humanities and Fine Arts (KHUM/KFA) | 3 |
| Kent Core Social Sciences (KSS) | 3 |
| Kent Core Basic Sciences (KBS/KLAB) | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours | 15 |
Program Learning Outcomes
Graduates of this program will be able to:
- Provide appropriate and effective physical therapy interventions within the plan of care established by a physical therapist.
- Effectively communicate with others, teaching or instructing when appropriate.
- Produce legal and ethical documentation to meet professional expectations and the needs of third party payers.
- Ethically manage fiscal and human resources to provide high-quality, efficient and cost-effective physical therapy services.
- Consistently demonstrate the core values of the physical therapist assistant; accountability, altruism, collaboration, compassion and caring, duty, excellence, inclusion, integrity and social responsibility.
Full Description
The Associate of Applied Science degree in Physical Therapist Assistant Technology provides students with the knowledge, skills and behaviors necessary to become licensed or certified as a physical therapist assistant, working under the direction and supervision of a physical therapist. Licensure or certification in most states requires graduation from an accredited program, background clearances and passing the National Physical Therapy Examination.
The integrated curriculum includes lecture, laboratory, seminar and practicum courses. Major course content is cumulative and taught in four sequential semesters in a two year cycle. The technical study curriculum requires student to be on campus or in the clinic three to five days per week each term.
The Physical Therapist Assistant Technology major includes the following optional concentration:
- The Athletic Trainers Transition concentration is for board-certified athletic trainers and may be completed, at minimum, in 15 months. The concentration adds the skills and knowledge of a physical therapist assistant to the certified athletic trainers knowledge and skill competency. The concentration is offered primarily online, but requires six three-day in person on the Ashtabula Campus to conduct laboratory assignments. In addition, students must complete a minimum 640 hours of clinical education, which, typically, can be arranged anywhere in the country.
Professional Licensure Disclosure
This program is designed to prepare students to sit for applicable licensure or certification in Ohio. If you plan to pursue licensure or certification in a state other than Ohio, please review state educational requirements for licensure or certification and contact information for state licensing boards at Kent State's website for professional licensure disclosure.
