Program Overview

Physical Therapist Assistant, AAS

The Physical Therapist Assistant AAS degree prepares students to work as a PTA in a variety of settings including hospitals, long-term care skilled nursing facilities, outpatient clinics, and pediatric facilities. PTAs provide physical therapy interventions under the direction and supervision of a physical therapist to people of all ages with health-related conditions which limit their ability to move and perform functional activities in their daily lives. Students are trained in procedural interventions such as exercises for mobility, strength, balance, coordination, training for functional activities, and the use of modalities and physical agents. Students are also trained in skills such as communication, patient education, plan of care review and documentation. Clinical affiliations occur in a variety of off-campus settings.

The Physical Therapist Assistant program at Lake Washington Institute of Technology is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE).

Program Outcomes

Physical Therapist Assistant AAS degree graduates will:

• be prepared to obtain an entry-level position as a physical therapist assistant
• perform safe, effective, and ethical entry-level physical therapy services under the direction and supervision of a physical therapist
• be prepared to engage in lifelong learning and career development as a physical therapist assistant in order to maintain industry competitiveness
• demonstrate communication, critical thinking, cultural humility, information literacy, and teamwork skills
• meet Humanities, Quantitative Reasoning, Social Science, and Written Communication general education distribution area outcomes

Admission Requirements

Admission to the PTA program is selective. In order to be considered for admission, applicants must complete prerequisite courses and fulfill PTA program application requirements.

Prerequisites

Applicants to the PTA program should review the main PTA webpage for information about required prerequisites.

• BIOL& 241 Anatomy and Physiology 1 6 credits
• PSYC& 100 General Psychology 5 credits
  • OR
  • PSYC& 200 Lifespan Psychology 5 credits
• ENGL& 101 English Composition I 5 credits
  • OR
  • ENGL& 102 English Composition II 5 credits
• CMST& 210 Interpersonal Communication 5 credits
  • OR
  • CMST& 220 Introduction to Public Speaking 5 credits
  • OR
  • CMST& 230 Small Group Communication 5 credits
  • OR
  • CMST& 240 Intercultural Communication 5 credits
• MATH& 146 Introduction to Statistics 5 credits
• Completed Program Application Materials

Program Requirements

Required Course Sequence

• Quarter One
  • PTA 105 Introduction to Physical Therapy 2 credits
  • PTA 115 Procedures I 5 credits
  • PTA 117 Foundations of Physical Rehabilitation 5 credits
  • PTA 125 Kinesiology I 4 credits
• Quarter Two
  • PTA 126 Kinesiology II 5 credits
  • PTA 135 Topics in Physical Therapy I 3 credits
  • PTA 145 Orthopedics I 5 credits
  • PTA 155 Physical Rehabilitation I 5 credits
• Quarter Three
  • PTA 136 Topics in Physical Therapy II 3 credits
  • PTA 146 Orthopedics II 7 credits
  • PTA 156 Physical Rehabilitation II 7 credits
• Quarter Four
  • PTA 190 Clinical Affiliation I 4 credits
  • PTA 215 Procedures II 5 credits
  • PTA 256 Physical Rehabilitation IV 4 credits
• Quarter Five
  • PTA 235 Topics in Physical Therapy III 2 credits
  • PTA 255 Physical Rehabilitation III 4 credits
  • PTA 280 Seminar I 1 credit
  • PTA 290 Clinical Affiliation II 8 credits
• Quarter Six
  • PTA 236 Topics in Physical Therapy IV 3 credits
  • PTA 281 Seminar II 1 credit
  • PTA 291 Clinical Affiliation III 9 credits

Diversity and Social Justice Requirement

Within the degree requirements, students must complete a 3-5 credit course that meets the college’s Diversity and Social Justice (DSJ) requirement. DSJ courses are designated in the college schedule and are designed to meet other general education or technical requirements simultaneous to meeting the DSJ requirement.

Total Program Credits: 92