Physical Therapist Assistant (PT)

The Physical Therapist Assistant program has been designed for students seeking entry-level positions as Physical Therapist Assistants. The comprehensive curriculum has been designed to develop competency in the entry levelskills necessary for the Physical Therapist Assistant practicing in the field. Theoretical and practical experience in classroom and laboratory are supplemented by three clinical rotations over two full-time or three part-time years of study.

The program prepares graduates to work under the supervision of a licensed physical therapist in a variety of health care settings, including rehabilitation facilities, schools, long term care, home health care, pediatrics, acute care hospitals, orthopedics, and sports medicine clinics. Students in the program are encouraged to apply for student membership to the American Physical Therapy Association during their first year in the program. Graduates of the program receive an Associate's degree in science and are eligible to take the national licensing exam administered by the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy. In order to practice in the state of Massachusetts physical therapist assistants must be licensed.

Although the program is non-transferable as a whole, on an individual basis graduates of the program considering a further degree have been able to obtain transfer credits for some courses to schools offering a baccalaureate degree in exercise physiology or related health program. Acceptance of transfer credits depends on the receiving institution. Students should consult directly with the institution of their choice.

Students enrolled in the program will be required to meet technical standards and undergo various screenings including a Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI). Depending upon the results of these screenings, participation during clinical practicum may be denied. Students who are unable to participate during clinical practicum will not meet program requirements necessary for graduation.

Accreditation for the program is granted through the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) at 1111 North Fairfax Street, Alexandria, VA 22314-9902, (703) 684-2782, www.apta.org

The PTA program is a selective admissions program. Further information about the program, application process and admission requirements can be viewed on the academic department Web page at www.northshore.edu/department/pta

Course See Note  Course Title Credits   BIO103   Anatomy & Physiology 1 5   CMP101   Composition 1 (OL, CT) 3   PTA101   Introduction to Physical Therapy 3   PTA103   Therapeutic Massage 1   PTA108/109   Kinesiology 1 Lab/Kinesiology 1 2   PTA113   Pathophysiological Conditions 1 2   PTA201/202   PTA Modalities Lab / Modalities of PT 3   BIO104   Anatomy & Physiology 2 4   PTA104/105   PTA Procedures Lab / PTA Procedures 3   PTA114   Pathophysiological Conditions 2 2   PTA117/118   Therapeutic Exercise 1 Lab / Therapeutic Exercise 1 4   PTA203   Neurology for Physical Therapist Assistant 2   PTA204/205   Kinesiology 2 Lab / Kinesiology 2 2   PTA112   Physical Therapist Assistant Practicum 1 2   CMP104-150   Composition 2 Elective (OL, CT) 3   HUM-ELECTIVE   Humanities Elective(s) (OL) 3   PSY138   Psychology of Disability 3   PTA212/213   Therapeutic Exercise 2 Lab / Ther Ex 2 3   PTA214/215   Kinesiology 3 Lab / Kinesiology 3 2   PTA220   Current Topics in Physical Therapy 3   PTA206   Physical Therapist Assistant Seminar 1   PTA208   Physical Therapist Assistant Practicum 2 8   PTA210   Case Studies in Physical Therapy 3

Program Information  • Entrance into any Physical Therapist Assistant course requires a grade of 'C' (73%) or better in all PTA prerequisite courses. For graduation from the Physical Therapist Assistant program a grade of 'C' (73%) or better is required for all Physical Therapist Assistant courses.

Admissions Information  • The Physical Therapist Assistant Program is a selective admissions program. Further information about the program, application process and admission requirements can be found on the academic department web page at www.northshore.edu/programs.