Physical Therapy Assistant Associate in Science

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.  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

Semester 1

Course Code	Title	Units
BI 013	Human Anatomy and Physiology I	4
Ch 007	Fundamentals of Chemistry	5
ENG 001A	English Composition	4

Semester 2

Course Code	Title	Units
BI 014	Human Anatomy and Physiology II	5
MATH 045 or MATH 049	Pre-Statistics or Intermediate Algebra or any College Level Math Class	3-4
PSY 001 or PSY 003	General Psychology or Developmental Psychology	3
KINE 008	Introduction to Kinesiology	3

Semester 3

Course Code	Title	Units
PTA 001	Introduction To Physical Therapy	3
PTA 002	Pathophysiology I	3
PTA 003	Therapeutic Procedures I	3
PTA 005	Kinesiology Lab	1
PTA 009	Functional Anatomy + Kinesiology	3

Semester 4

Course Code	Title	Units
PTA 004	Therapeutic Procedures II	4
PTA 006	Pathophysiology II	2
PTA 007	Neuroscience	3
PTA 010	Physical Therapy Issues and Trends	2
KINE	Kinesiology Activity	1

Semester 5

Course Code	Title	Units
PTA 011	Therapeutic Procedure III	3
PTA 012	Clinical Fieldwork I	4.5
COD GE Area C3	Arts, Humanities & Culture	3

Semester 6

Course Code	Title	Units
PTA 013	Clinical Fieldwork II	7.5
PTA 014	Physical Therapist Assistant Seminar	2
KINE	Kinesiology Activity	1

Please see a Counselor if you need help selecting COD GE courses.

COD GE Courses