StudyQA — Bachelor: Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA)

Description Contents Requirements Funding

Are you interested in a rewarding career? Do you like to help people? Our program is designed to prepare students to function as Physical Therapist Assistants (PTAs) who work directly with patients under the direction of a physical therapist. Students gain the knowledge of how and why difficulties in movement occur, how to improve mobility, relieve pain and how to prevent or limit physical disability through the use of therapeutic techniques.

With the proper physical therapist assistant training, PTAs can work in hospitals, rehabilitation centers, outpatient facilities, school systems, home health or skilled nursing facilities.

Now Is a Great Time To Become a
Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA)!

Work in a challenging and rewarding field

Secure a job in a field that is expected to grow 35% through 2018

According to the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) it is one of the top 50 growing occupations in the state

General Education Course Descriptions

ENG 121 English Composition – 3 credit hours

This course focuses on student writing with an emphasis on reading and analytical thinking. Research and oral communication skills are introduced. Upon completion of this course, students should be able to prepare well-constructed informal reports and process, informative and descriptive essays. Prerequisite: None

MED 111 Anatomy and Physiology – 3 credit hours

This course will cover an introduction to the structures and functions of the human body. Content includes: structure/function of body systems, fundamental concepts and principles of body organization, and basics of histology and hematology. Topics will include the study of cells, tissues, integumentary, skeletal, muscular, nervous, cardiovascular, respiratory, digestive, lymphatic, urinary, and reproductive systems.Prerequisites: None

GEN 112 Business Communication – 3 credit hours

This course presents a study of communication in modern organizations and the application of communication theory to information systems and current business practices. Students participate in intensive discussion and practice of the commonly used report-writing techniques. The course will cover various formats and graphics of reports. In addition to writing several brief reports, students prepare a complete research report, give oral reports. Group decision-making is emphasized. Prerequisite: None

GEN 115 Medical Ethics – 3 credit hours

This course examines and evaluates a number of contemporary issues in medical ethics. Possible issues to be addressed include: patients’ rights, privacy of personal medical information, problems surrounding death and dying, current political topics and issues related to medical research. Prerequisite: None

GEN 116 General Psychology – 3 credit hours

This course is designed to present students with a general overview of psychology as a social science. Topics include historical perspectives, research methods, therapies, applied psychology, social psychology, and other current issues. Upon completion of this course, students will be able to identify psychological concepts and methods as used commonly to address real world situations.Prerequisite: None

GEN 120 General Physics – 3 credit hours (2 Lecture + 1 Lab)

This course is designed for non-science majors and includes a survey of topics including: electricity, energy, thermodynamics, force, friction, levers, pressure, buoyancy and hydrostatic pressure. Prerequisite: High school algebra or college level math or instructor consent.

MED 121 Introduction to Pathology – 3 credit hours

An introductory course in the concepts of pathology including causes, prognosis, medical treatment, signs and symptoms of common diseases for all body systems. Prerequisite: None

MED 211 Advanced Anatomy and Physiology – 3 credit hours (1 Lecture + 2 Lab)

This course further explores the complex anatomy and physiology of the skeletal, musculoskeletal, cardiovascular and pulmonary systems. This course is recommended for individuals entering a health- oriented field. A lab component is included in this course.Prerequisites: MED 111

Technical Course Descriptions

PTA 111 Introduction to PTA – 2 credit hours

This course serves as an introduction to the role, function and scope of the physical therapist assistant and to the structure of the physical therapist-physical therapist assistant team. This course will examine the legal and ethical issues surrounding delivery of physical therapy services by a PTA and the role of professional organizations within physical therapy practice. This course will provide instruction on patient/client interaction, professional behaviors, effective communication and importance of safety during delivery of care and documentation. This course also includes a medical terminology independent study component. Prerequisites: Admission to PTA Program

PTA 112 PT Conditions I – 5 credit hours (4 Lecture + 1 Lab)

This course will include a presentation of musculoskeletal diagnoses commonly encountered in physical therapy. Students will discuss the principles of intervention and progression, as guided by the plan of care, to address the issues specific to each condition.Prerequisites: Admission to PTA Program

PTA 113 Interventions I – 5 credit hours (2 Lecure + 3 Lab)

This course will prepare students to safely implement selected PT interventions, as well as perform tests and measures commonly utilized with patients/clients with musculoskeletal conditions. Specific procedural interventions commonly related to these conditions will include therapeutic exercise, functional training, manual therapy techniques, application/adjustment of devices and equipment, and integumentary protection. This course will help students begin to develop the clinical decision making skills necessary to understand the plan of care as developed by the PT. This course provides a building block for understanding the role of the PTA in providing care for patients/clients with specific physical therapy conditions discussed in concurrent and subsequent courses. Prerequisites: Admission to PTA Program

PTA 114 Professional Issues I – 1 credit hour

This course will further develop effective communication skills, the importance safety for self and the patient/client during delivery of care, and importance of collaboration within the PT-PTA relationship. Students will be introduced to issues related to resource management and appropriate response in emergency situations, along with initial exposureto professional expectations, ethical behavior and the decision-making process in the healthcare setting in preparation for their first clinical experience. Career development and the importance of self-assessment and lifelong learning will also be a focus. Prerequisites: Admission to PTA Program and successful completion of PTA coursework to date

PTA 115 Documentation I – 1 credit hour

This course will begin to develop students’ understanding of documentation in physical therapy, including organization of information, professional written language, reimbursement and methods of delivery. Professional behaviors, self-assessment and reflection with regards to documentation will also occur. Prerequisites: Admission to PTA Program and successful completion of PTA coursework to date

PTA 116 Clinical Kinesiology – 4 credit hours (1 lecture + 3 lab)

This course will challenge the student to learn how and why the “normal” body moves, including the biomechanical principles affecting posture, functional activities and gait. These principles include, but are not limited to: force, resistance, planes of motion, functional anatomy, surface anatomy, principles of joint motion, kinetics, Newton’s principle of motion. This course also reviews pathomechanics affecting human movement. Prerequisites: Admission to PTA Program

PTA 117 Clinical Education I – 7 credit hours

This course is an 8-week clinical experience which will focus on practicing and further developing skills learned up until this point in the core PTA coursework. Students will be placed in a variety of settings and given the opportunity to begin interacting with various patient populations. Students will receive close supervision from their clinical instructors. Prerequisites: Admission to PTA Program and successful completion of PTA coursework to date

PTA 212 PT Conditions II – 5 credits (4 lecture + 1 lab)

This course will be a presentation of neuromuscular and cardiopulmonary diagnoses commonly encountered in physical therapy. Students will discuss the principles of intervention and progression, as guided by the plan of care established by the physical therapist, to address the issues specific to each condition. Prerequisites: Admission to PTA Program and successful completion of PTA coursework to date

PTA 213 Interventions II – 5 credit hours (2 lecture + 3 lab)

This course will continue to prepare students to safely implement selected interventions, as well as perform tests and measures commonly utilized with patients with neuromuscular and cardiopulmonary conditions. Specific procedural interventions related to these conditions will include therapeutic exercise, functional training, manual therapy techniques, application/adjustment of devices and equipment, breathing strategies and oxygenation, integumentary protection, physical agents and mechanical modalities. This course will help students continue to develop the clinical decision making skills necessary to understand the interventions that will progress the patient/client goals identified in the plan of care established by the PT. This course provides another building block for understanding the role of the PTA in providing care for patients/clients with specific physical therapy conditions discussed in concurrent and subsequent courses. Prerequisites: Admission to PTA Program and successful completion of PTA coursework to date

PTA 214 Professional Issues II – 1 credit hour

This course will build upon topics presented in Professional Issues I with a focus on reflection and self-assessment of their CE I. Students will further develop skills related to resource and conflict management and the importance of healthcare literature. Students will be challenged to improve their time management skills, understanding of billing, and focus on professional behaviors in preparation for their final clinical experience. Career development will be emphasized and a professional online portfolio will be required. Prerequisites: Admission to PTA Program and successful completion of PTA coursework to date

PTA 215 Documentation II – 1 credit hour

This course will further develop topics presented in Documentation I and will discuss experiences related to documentation from CE I. This is the final course related to documentation prior to becoming entry-level physical therapist assistants. Prerequisites: Admission to PTA Program and successful completion of PTA coursework to date.

PTA 312 PT Conditions III – 2 credit hours (1 lecture + 1 lab)

This course will be a presentation of integumentary and multi-system diagnoses commonly encountered in physical therapy. Students will discuss the principles of intervention and progression, as guided by the plan of care, to address the issues specific to each condition.Prerequisites: Admission to PTA Program and successful completion of PTA coursework to date

PTA 313 Interventions III – 4 credit hours (1 lecture + 3 lab)

This course will continue to prepare students to safely implement selected interventions, as well as specific data gathering techniques, commonly utilized with patients with integumentary and multi-system involved conditions. Specific procedural interventions related to these conditions will include wound management, integumentary protection, and a review of selective assistive/adaptive devices and therapeutic modalities. This course will help students continue to develop the clinical decision making skills necessary to understand the rationale for interventions that will progress the patient/client goals identified in the plan of care established by the PT. This course provides another building block for understanding the role of the PTA in providing care for patients/clients with specific physical therapy conditions discussed in concurrent and subsequent courses. Prerequisites: Admission to PTA Program and successful completion of PTA coursework to date

PTA 217 Clinical Education II – 7 credit hours

This course is a full-time, 8-week clinical experience where students will apply concepts and skills learned in all previous academic and clinical settings. Students will be placed in a variety of healthcare settings. This is the final experience in preparation for becoming an entry-level physical therapist assistant. Prerequisites: Admission to PTA Program and successful completion of PTA coursework to date

PTA 225 Physical Therapist Assistant Seminar – 1 credit hour

This course serves to prepare students for licensure and will discuss registration, cost and preparation for the licensure exam and help students to develop their own study plan. Prerequisites: Admission to PTA Program and successful completion of PTA coursework to date

Selective Entrance Requirements

To enroll into the Physical Therapist Assistant program students must meet the college requirements for admittance and in addition:

Non-US college/university transcripts must be evaluated by a professional service and submitted to SOLEX College.

High school diploma or equivalent (GED). Non-US high school diplomas/transcripts will need to be evaluated by SOLEX College which may require translation or further documentation.

Achieve a minimum composite score of 21 on the Wonderlic SLE test within two years prior to the application deadline or achieve a minimum composite score of 19 on the ACT.

Complete general education coursework with a minimum grade of a “C” in each course. Official transcripts are required for non-SOLEX College credit.

All science general education courses must be completed within 5 years of beginning the technical education phase of the program.

Respond satisfactorily to prospective PTA student interview with Program Director or designee

Documentation of required PT Observation Hours

Two (2) completed Letters of Recommendation

What Is Federal Student Aid?

Federal Student aid comes from the U.S. Department of Education. It is money that helps students pay for educational expenses at a postsecondary school (e.g., college, vocational school, graduate school) for eligible programs.

Federal student aid covers such expenses as books and supplies, room and board, tuition, fees, and transportation. Federal student aid can also help pay for a computer and for dependent care.

Federal student aid is available to those who qualify in the form of grants and loans.

Grants –This money usually does not need to be paid back. Most U.S. Department of Education grants are based on the student’s financial need.

Loans – If you are awarded a loan as part of your financial aid package, you may be eligible for either subsidized or unsubsidized funds, or a combination of both. The big difference between the two is when the interest begins to accrue.

Subsidized loans are awarded on the basis of financial need. You won't be charged any interest before you begin repaying the loan because the federal government subsidizes the interest during this time.

Unsubsidized loans charge interest from the time the money is first disbursed until it is paid in full. The interest is capitalized, meaning that you pay interest on any interest that has already accrued. One way to minimize how much interest accrues is to pay the interest as it accumulates.

More detailed information can be found at FAFSA.