Physical Therapist Assistant AS Degree
The Physical Therapist Assistant program prepares students for employment as physical therapist assistants (PTA). The PTA functions through the direction of a physical therapist (PT) to implement the PT’s plan of care. The ultimate goal of physical therapy is to aid patients and clients in their return to maximal function. PTA students are instructed in thinking processes and skills such as therapeutic exercise, orthopedic and neurological interventions, therapeutic modalities, and the art of patient care. In addition to patient treatment courses, students study the basic sciences of anatomy, physiology, clinical pathology, and kinesiology. Clinical education experiences are integrated throughout the curriculum and offer students the opportunity to practice the techniques learned and practiced each semester. Students can complete the program in two years.
It is recommended that students interested in the Physical Therapist Assistant Program see a counselor in the counseling department and read the information on the School of Health Sciences & Education webpage.
Program Entrance Requirements: Acceptance under the existing eligibility and selection criteria available on the School of Health Sciences & Education webpage. Program eligibility and selection processes are subject to change. Prospective students are encouraged to check the school web page periodically or call 760.773.2578
| Course Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Prerequisite/General Education Courses | ||
| BI 013 | Human Anatomy and Physiology I | 4 |
| BI 014 | Human Anatomy and Physiology II | 5 |
| PSY 001 | General Psychology | 3 |
| or PSY 003 | Developmental Psychology | |
| ENG 001A | English Composition | 4 |
| KINE 008 | Introduction to Kinesiology | 3 |
| MATH 045 | Pre-Statistics | 4 |
| or MATH 049 | Intermediate Algebra | |
or any College Level Math Class | ||
| Select one course from the following: | 3 | |
| Introduction to Philosophy | ||
| Introduction to Ethics | ||
| Perspectives on Death & Dying | ||
or Any class from Area C3, Arts, Humanities & Culture | ||
| Kinesiology Activity Courses | 2 | |
| Physical Therapist Assistant Program (Technical Phase) | ||
| PTA 001 | Introduction To Physical Therapy | 3 |
| PTA 002 | Pathophysiology I | 3 |
| PTA 003 | Therapeutic Procedures I | 3 |
| PTA 004 | Therapeutic Procedures II | 4 |
| PTA 005 | Kinesiology Lab | 1 |
| PTA 006 | Pathophysiology II | 2 |
| PTA 007 | Neuroscience | 3 |
| PTA 009 | Functional Anatomy + Kinesiology | 3 |
| PTA 010 | Physical Therapy Issues and Trends | 2 |
| PTA 011 | Therapeutic Procedure III | 3 |
| PTA 012 | Clinical Fieldwork I | 4.5 |
| PTA 013 | Clinical Fieldwork II | 7.5 |
| PTA 014 | Physical Therapist Assistant Seminar | 2 |
| PTA Technical Phase Total | 41 | |
| Degree Total | 69 | |
Accreditation:
Effective April 25, 2023, College of the Desert's Physical Therapist Assistant Program has been granted Candidate for Accreditation status by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (3030 Potomac Ave., Suite 100, Alexandria, Virginia 22305-3085; phone: 703-706-3245; email: accreditation@apta.org). If needing to contact the program/institution directly, please call 760-773-2578 or email PTAAdmissions@collegeofthedesert.edu.
Candidate for Accreditation is an accreditation status of affiliation with the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education that indicates the program may matriculate students in technical/professional courses. Achievement of Candidate for Accreditation status does not assure that the program will be granted Initial Accreditation.
