Physical Therapist Assistant, A.A.S.

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San Juan College has an On-campus PTA Program and an Online PTA Program. Both programs lead to an Associate of Applied Science Degree. Students who successfully complete the program are eligible to take the national license exam. PTAs must be licensed in order to practice in most states.

Each program accepts 20 students every year. The application deadline for both programs is October 1st of each year. An application packet may be downloaded from www.sanjuancollege.edu/pta. Acceptance into either program is based on the admissions criteria outlined in the program application. Both PTA programs start in January of each year. Students must complete all prerequisites prior to starting the PTA program. All required courses - prerequisites and core courses - must be completed with a C or better. For additional information about the PTA program please call 505-566-3562 or email us at: pta@sanjuancollege.edu.

All science classes must be current within five years.

Prerequisites

BIOL-112 Human Body Structures & Functions 4 cr. *
ENGL-111 Freshman Composition 3 cr. **
MATH-114 Math for Health Careers 3 cr. OR
MATH-114A Health Careers Math W/Skills Review 4 cr.
HITP-110 Medical Terminology 3 cr.
COMM-111 Interpersonal Communication 3 cr.
ENGL-218 Advanced Technical Composition 3 cr.
PSYC-120 Introduction to Psychology 3 cr.
PTAP-116 Musculoskeletal Focus for PTA & OTA 3 cr.

Total Prerequisite: 25-26

Core Courses

PTAP-110 Intro to Physical Therapist Asst 3 cr.
PTAP-125 Clinical Kinesiology 4 cr.
PTAP-130 Pathophysiology for A/H Student 3 cr.
PTAP-150 PTA Procedures I 4 cr.
PTAP-140 Therapeutic Exercise 3 cr.
PTAP-160 PTA Procedures II 3 cr.
PTAP-210 Principles of Rehabilitation 5 cr.
PTAP-230 Clinical Externships 4 cr.
PTAP-250 PTA Procedures III 4 cr.
PTAP-260 Seminar 2 cr.
PTAP-270 Clinical Externships (Outpatient) 3 to 7 cr.
PTAP-290 Clinical Externship (Rehab) 7 cr.

Total Program Credits: 74-75

Note(s):

* BIOL-252 Human Anatomy & Physiology I and BIOL-253 Human Anatomy & Physiology II may be accepted in place of BIOL 112 only with the PTA program director’s permission. BIOL 112 is a prerequisite to PTAP 116 .

**ENGL 118 may be accepted in place of ENGL 111 only with the PTA director’s permission. ENGL 111 or ENGL 118 is a prerequisite to ENGL 218 .

Suggested Course Sequence On-Campus Students:

Students accepted into this selective admission program must follow the required course sequence outlined below in order to remain in and complete the program.
Students who for any reason are unable to follow this course sequence must contact an academic advisor.

Online Program

Students accepted into the Online PTA Program are required to travel to San Juan College for the lab portion of the online courses. Travel is required during 5 consecutive semesters starting with the Spring semester that the student is admitted to the program. Each of these semesters (Spring, Summer, Fall, Spring and Summer) has one lab course except for the Fall semester which has two lab courses. Students will be required to be at San Juan College campus for approximately 9-16 consecutive days (including weekends) for each lab course. Students are responsible for any travel costs including transportation and lodging. Online students are also responsible for any additional fees related to obtaining a proctor for the PTAP exams.

Suggested Course Sequence Online Students:

Students in the online program are considered part-time students. The sequence for the prerequisite courses is suggested. The sequence for the PTAP courses is required.

Students who for any reason are unable to follow the suggested course sequence should contact an academic advisor for help with adjustments.