Advisors:
Dr. Matthew Wilson PT, DPT
Program Director
mawilson@collegeofthedesert.edu
Accreditation:
The Physical Therapist Assistant Program at College of the Desert is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), 3030 Potomac Ave., Suite 100, Alexandria, Virginia 22305-3085; telephone: 703-706-3245; email: accreditation@apta.org; website: http://www.capteonline.org. If needing to contact the program/institution directly, please call 760-773-2578 or email PTAAdmissions@collegeofthedesert.edu.
Physical Therapist Assistant Program
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. After finishing your prerequisite/general education classes, students complete the program in one year.
The program's first cohort began classes the Summer of 2023. To apply for acceptance into the technical phase of the program, students must have completed or be enrolled to complete all prerequisites and all classes prior to the start of PTA classes.
Application process for Summer 2026 will be completed via a new selection process, information can be found under Application Standards.
Application for Summer 2026 will open December 2025
If you have any questions please feel free to contact PTAAdmissions@collegeofthedesert.edu.
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Human Anatomy and Physiology I+II must be completed within the last 10 years.
| Course Code | Title | Units |
| BI 013 | Human Anatomy and Physiology I | 4 |
| BI 014 | Human Anatomy and Physiology II | 5 |
| PSY 001 or PSY 003 | General Psychology or Developmental Psychology | 3 |
| PHIL 006 or PHIL 013 or PHIL 014 | Introduction to Philosophy or Perspectives on Death & Dying or Introduction to Ethics (preferred); however, any course from Area C3 is acceptable | 3 |
| ENG 001a | English Composition | 4 |
| Math 040 or Math 45 or Math 049 or College Level Math | Intermediate Algebra or Pre-Statistics or College Level Math | 3-4 |
| KINE 008 | Introduction to Kinesiology | 3 |
The Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) Program admits a maximum of 25 students once per year. Admission is by ranking of eligible applicants by the multi criterion scoring system, starting Summer 2026 cohort.
For admission in the Physical Therapist Assistant program students must have completed the prerequisite and general education courses with grades of "C" or better. Students need to meet with a COD counselor to confirm their requirements as they may vary based on Catalog Year Rights. Anatomy and Physiology classes must have been completed within the last ten years. If applying without all courses completed. Courses not yet completed/currently enrolled in will be calculated into the student’s GPA as a “C” grade.
If accepted for admission, students must provide updated transcripts verifying satisfactory completion of in progress coursework by the end of the spring semester in which they applied. All transfer courses must be approved.
1. Apply to College of the Desert
2. Declare degree as Kinesiology and complete required general education/prerequisite classes.
3. Submit official transcripts (Only for classes taken at other colleges)
4. Meet with COD counselor to discuss coursework and if needed request formal transcript evaluation (Only needed for classes taken at other colleges)
5.Submit application for the Physical Therapist Assistant Program, during application period.
PTA 001 - Introduction to Physical Therapy
This course will introduce students to the field of physical therapy by covering the history and ethics of the profession as they relate to the health care system. The course will cover the development of the team approach in health care delivery, philosophies of rehabilitation, patient relationships, and the psychosocial impact of illness and injury. Also emphasized is the scope of practice of the physical therapist assistant. Course content includes observational experiences in patient care settings. The course will also introduce verbal and nonverbal communication skills utilized in health care. Emphasis will be placed on terminology, format, computer use, reimbursement, interpersonal communication, and legal issues. Upon completion, the student will be able to discuss and demonstrate communication skills necessary for effective interaction with patients, families, and other health care providers.
PTA 002 - Pathophysiology I
This course introduces common pathological conditions with emphasis on the following systems: cardiovascular, respiratory, gastrointestinal, genitourinary, hematologic, hepatic, immune, integumentary, and lymphatic. The role of physical therapy in the treatment of these conditions is covered as well as interventions commonly performed by the physical therapist assistant.
PTA 003 - Therapeutic Procedures I
This course provides hand-on instruction of the principles and procedures of physical therapy interventions most commonly utilized in the inpatient setting, such as bed mobility, transfers, and gait training. Upon completion, the student will be able to demonstrate safe and effective delivery of taught procedures and provide an explanation of the rationale for each treatment.
PTA 004 - Therapeutic Procedures II
This course is a continuation of Therapeutic Procedures I. The course is a study on the principles, procedures, and rationale behind physical therapy intervention most commonly performed in the outpatient setting. Upon completion, the student will be able to demonstrate safe and effective delivery of all taught interventions.
PTA 005 - Kinesiology Lab
This lab course allows for the hands-on learning of functional anatomy and kinesiology. Focus will include muscle and joint function, ROM/strength testing, palpation skills and exercise concepts.
PTA 006 - Pathophysiology II
This course provides a more in-depth look at presentation and treatment methods of cardiac and pulmonary conditions and also addresses less common pathophysiology processes not covered in Pathophysiology I. Common impairments seen with each pathology along with the physical therapy assistant's role in addressing these impairments will be covered. The lab portion of the course will emphasize treatment techniques for the cardiac and pulmonary patient
PTA 007 - Neuroscience
This course provides students with an overview of the neuroanatomy of the CNS and
PNS, as it relates to treatment of patients with dysfunction in these systems. Emphasis
includes structure and function of the nervous system, neurophysiological concepts,
growth and development, and neurologic dysfunction. Upon completion of this course,
the student should be able to identify and discuss specific neuroanatomical structures,
basic functions of the nervous system, concepts of human growth and development, identify
neurological pathologies and test for normal neurologic response and function.
PTA 009 - Functional Anatomy + Kinesiology
This course is a continuation of Introduction to Kinesiology and deals with the biomechanical principles of the cervical spine, thoracic spine, lumbar spine, upper extremities, and lower extremities of the body. The course includes the kinesiological functions of muscles and muscle groups. Clinical manifestations of muscle dysfunction are covered, as well as techniques for joint measurement. Assessment by manual muscle testing, ROM testing and activities of daily living are presented.
PTA 010 - Physical Therapy Issues and Trends
The course will introduce current trends and issues in the physical therapy field. Emphasis will be placed on practice issues and psychosocial aspects of illness and cultural diversity, with discussion on future of physical therapy and advocacy.
PTA 011 - Therapeutic Procedures III
This course is a continuation of study of the principles and procedures of therapeutic Physical Therapy intervention, with emphasis placed on specialized physical therapy interventions and procedure for special populations. Students will learn how to instruct and prepare the patient to utilize this specialized equipment. Problem solving will be utilized in assisting students to apply standardized practices to meet individual patient needs.
PTA 012 - Clinical Fieldwork I
This is the first full-time clinical assignment in the PTA program in which students perform delegated patient care responsibilities in a physical therapy clinical setting, under the supervision of a licensed physical therapist. Students will practice the application of physical therapy procedures according to the setting such as the acute, sub-acute, outpatient, skilled nursing, or other type of physical therapy/rehabilitation clinical facility. Facility will be assigned by program faculty.
PTA 013 - Clinical Fieldwork II
This is the second full-time clinical assignment in the Physical Therapist Assistant
(PTA) program in which students perform delegated patient care responsibilities in
a physical therapy clinical setting, under the supervision of a licensed physical
therapist.
Students will practice application of physical therapy procedures according to the
setting such as the acute, sub-acute, outpatient, skilled nursing, or other type of
physical therapy/rehabilitation clinical facility. Facility will be assigned by program
faculty.
PTA 014 - Physical Therapist Assistant Seminar
This course is a capstone of the Physical Therapist Program. It is a study of the
issues and trends in physical therapy practice. Emphasis is placed on issues such
as licensure, job skills, board exam reviews, practitioners' roles, legal and ethical
issues. Upon
completion the student will have the necessary skills to transition from student to
practitioner
Please note that costs are estimated. Depending on insurance coverage and financial assistance, costs may vary. Total cost of the program is estimated at $3,180 with no health insurance coverage or financial assistance.
Cost Estimate for PTA Program
| Item | Cost |
| Tuition - Residents of CA ($46/unit) |
$598.00 1 $529.00 2 $759.00 3 |
| Student Fees and Malpractice Insurance | $58.00 1 $58.00 2 $58.00 3 |
| Textbooks | $500.00 |
| ID Badge | $10.00 |
| Health Records and Vaccinations | $500.00 |
| Background Check | $60.00 |
| Drug Screen | $50.00 |
| Total by Term | $1,776.00 1 $587.00 2 $817.00 3 |
| NPTE Exam* | $485.00 |
| California Jurisprudence Exam* | $65.00 |
| LiveScan for Licensure* | $49.00 |
| Total After Program Costs | $599.00 |
| Total Cost of Program | $3,180.00 |
| Total with Licensure | $3,779.00 |
Table Notes:
* After Program Cost
1 Cost During First Term
2 Cost During Second Term
3 Cost During Third Term
Application + Matriculation
| Cohort Year | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
| Number of Applicants | 42 | 43 | 64 |
| Number of students enrolled after add/drop period | 21 | 22 | 25 |
Graduation Rate
| Cohort Year | 2023 | 2024 |
| Graduation Rate |
73.7% |
68.2%* |
| Two year Average | 73.7% | 70.7* |
*(If a student is unsuccessful during first attempt they have ability to complete program in 150% of normal time. If student is successful graduation rate will improve.)
Licensure Pass Rate
| Cohort Year | 2023 |
| First time pass rate | 100% |
| Ultimate pass rate | 100% |
| Two year average | 100% |
Employment Rate
| Cohort Year | 2023 |
| Employment rate | 100% |
| Two year average | 100% |
Dr. Matthew Wilson PT, DPT - Program Director, Clinical Education Coordinator
mawilson@collegeofthedesert.edu
(760)565-4839
Dr. D'Arcy Hlavin PT, DPT, OCS
dhlavin@collegeofthedesert.edu
The Physical Therapist Assistant Program at College of the Desert is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), 3030 Potomac Ave., Suite 100, Alexandria, Virginia 22305-3085; telephone: 703-706-3245; email: accreditation@apta.org; website: http://www.capteonline.org. If needing to contact the program/institution directly, please call 760-773-2578 or email PTAAdmissions@collegeofthedesert.edu.
The program/technical phase is completed in one year after finishing the prerequisite/general education classes. Once accepted into the program/technical phase, this phase must be completed as a cohort over a one year period, Summer, Fall and Spring Semester.
Completion of prerequisites and general education classes can be completed in one year but that is not required as students can complete these classes in the time frame that fits the students needs.
Including the time to complete your prerequisite/general education classes it can all be done in two years.
Yes, as long as the courses are equivalent. The number of units and course description should be compared.
If a member of the public would like to submit a complaint against the program, program faculty, program staff or students of the program. Please email it to the Program Director at mawilson@collegeofthedesert.edu
If the complaint is in regards to the Program Director. Please email the Dean of Health Science and Education at gplunkett@collegeofthedesert.edu
The program will follow AP 7700 -Whistleblower Protection. Any individual is protected from retaliation for submission of a complaint against the Program. Individuals do have the option to submit a complaint anonymously, submissions anonymously may affect the ability for the program to investigate the complaint.
