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Physical Therapist Assistant AAS - Academic Plan

2024-2025

Total Credits = 75

A Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) is a health care provider working under the direction of a Physical Therapist. The PTA is involved in the treatment of individuals with muscular, skeletal, cardiopulmonary and nervous system disorders. The PTA may also be involved in injury prevention or programs specifically targeted toward individual or group wellness. The PTA is able to provide physical therapy services as specified in a care plan developed by a Physical Therapist. Treatment program implementation may include: therapeutic exercise, ambulation training, activities of daily living and administration of physical agents such as heat and cold.


The PTA program at Arapahoe Community College is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), 3030 Potomac Ave, Suite 1000, Alexandria, VA 22305-3095; 703-706-3245; email: accreditation [at] apta [dot] org; website: www.capteonline.org. If needing to contact the program/institution directly, please call 303-797-5897 or email pta [at] arapahoe [dot] edu.


The program is five semesters in length that includes one summer semester. Upon successful completion, the graduate is awarded an Associate of Applied Science degree.

Program Outcomes

  • Collect, document, analyze, and report data to supervising PT.
  • Perform basic physical therapy interventions.
  • Demonstrate adherence to legal and ethical policies and procedures.

Prerequisites, Corequisites, and Recommendations

Where requirements are listed as course categories (e.g. Electives, Arts/Humanities) rather than as specific courses, please note that depending upon course choice, prerequisites may be required.

*Grade C or better required

Required Course Prerequisite, Corequisite, or Recommendation
BIO 1004 - Biology: A Human Approach: GT-SC1 OR
BIO 2101 - Human Anatomy and Physiology I with Lab: GT-SC1
Prerequisites: None
Prerequisites: BIO 1111 - General College Biology with Lab: GT-SC1 or BIO 1010 - Biology Foundations
ENG 1021 - English Composition I: GT-CO1 Prerequisite: College Readiness in English
PSY 1001 - General Psychology I: GT-SS3 Prerequisite: College Readiness in English
PSY 2440 - Human Growth and Development: GT-SS3 Prerequisite: College Readiness in English
PTA 1010 - Basic Patient Care in Physical Therapy Required: Admission to PTA program or Instructor's permission
PTA 1017 - Anatomical Kinesiology Lab Prerequisite: BIO 2101 - Human Anatomy and Physiology I with Lab: GT-SC1
Corequisite: HPR 1017 - Anatomical Kinesiology
PTA 1020 - Modalities in Physical Therapy Prequisite: PTA 1010 - Basic Patient Care in Physical Therapy
PTA 1035 - Principles of Electrical Stimulation Required: Admission to PTA program or Instructor's permission
Prerequisite: PTA 1010 - Basic Patient Care in Physical Therapy
PTA 1040 - Clinical Kinesiology Prerequisite: HPR 1017 - Anatomical Kinesiology
PTA 1041 - Professional Communication II Prerequisite: PTA 1031 - Professional Communication I
PTA 2005 - Psychosocial Issues In Health Care Prerequisite: PTA 2080 - PTA Internship I
PTA 2030 - Orthopedic Assessment and Management Techniques Prerequisites: PTA 1020 - Modalities in Physical Therapy and PTA 1040 - Clinical Kinesiology
PTA 2040 - Neurological Assessment and Management Techniques Prerequisites: PTA 1020 - Modalities in Physical Therapy and PTA 1040 - Clinical Kinesiology
PTA 2078 - PTA Seminar Prerequisites: PTA 2030 - Orthopedic Assessment and Management Techniques and PTA 2080 - PTA Internship I
PTA 2080 - PTA Internship I Prerequisites: PTA 1020 - Modalities in Physical Therapy and PTA 1040 - Clinical Kinesiology
PTA 2081 - PTA Internship II Prerequisites: PTA 2030 - Orthopedic Assessment and Management Techniques and PTA 2080 - PTA Internship I
PTA 2082 - PTA Internship III Prerequisites: PTA 2040 - Neurological Assessment and Management Techniques and PTA 2081 - PTA Internship II

Recommended Course Sequence (Full-Time)

Semester 3

Notes

  • *This course requires college level readiness as measured by Accuplacer, ACT, or SAT scores; approved high school course work that is less than five years old; or successful completion of appropriate college-readiness course.
  • AAA 1001 – College 101: Student Experience is required for all new college students seeking degrees or transfer.
  • BIO 1004 or BIO 2101, HPR 1038 and ENG 1021 must be completed prior to final admission into PTA program; is a prerequisite for all PTA coursework.
  • Course availability is subject to change.
  • In order to meet college requirements, students registered for ENG 1021 or ENG 1031 must also register for ENG 0094 unless they can demonstrate otherwise meeting the ENG 0094 standard through assessment testing, prior college coursework, or recent High School coursework. See an Advisor for details.
  • Information sessions are offered by the physical therapist assistant department, but are not required.
  • Recommended courses may be listed above for certain electives; consult with the Academic Advising Office (advising [at] arapahoe [dot] edu or 303.797.5664) for additional elective recommendations.
  • Refer to 2024/2025 catalog for specific requirements and important information about this degree.
  • Students planning to transfer the speech credit to another school should take COM 1150.
  • The AAS-Physical Therapist Assistant program at ACC is a full-time program.