Physical Therapist Assistant

2232: A.S. Degree in Physical Therapist Assistant (74 Credit Hours)

The Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) works under the supervision of the physical therapist. PTAs are directly involved in patient treatment, performing such duties as applying physical agents, and designing and carrying out exercise programs. They provide direct patient care of individuals who experience temporary or permanent disability due to pain, injury, disease or birth defects.

The Physical Therapist Assistant program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA), Department of Accreditation, American Physical Therapy Association, 1111 North Fairfax Street, Alexandria, VA 22314, Telephone 703-706-3245, Web site www.apta.org/CAPTE. The PTA program graduate must take and pass a state-administered national examination in order to become licensed and eligible to practice.

Please note that completion of the PTA program does not guarantee entry into a physical therapy program. The PTA course work (technical phase) does not transfer to most physical therapy schools.

This is a limited access program with deadlines to apply. Application directions are distributed at the required information sessions. Call CFCC, 352-873-5817, for dates and times of information sessions or view online at http://www.cf.edu/health/.

The program policies including attendance, grading, clinical behaviors and readmission guidelines are found in the student handbook that each student obtains once admitted to the PTA program.

NOTE:  For the PTA class entering in 2011 a free elective will no longer be used when computing the GPA.

Base salary range for degree recipients: $30,000/year–$54,000/year depending on specialization.

Percentage of degree recipients placed in jobs within their field: 100%.

More information can be found at the Physical Therapist Assistant Program website at http://www.cf.edu/departments/instruction/health/pta/.

General Education Courses

One of the following options: (To satisfy Social Science and Humanities requirements)

Program Core Courses

Note:

• All Health and Human Services candidates must undergo a criminal background check. Candidates with a criminal record may not be eligible for any CFCC Health and Human Services program.
• When more qualified students apply than can be accepted, those not accepted to the program are admitted to future classes.
• Upon acceptance into the program, a medical examination and proof of immunization are required.
• All students are responsible for their own health/hospitalization insurance. Professional liability insurance is included in college fees.
• It is necessary that students have reliable transportation to the assigned hospitals and clinical facilities.