Physical Therapist Assistant
Physical Therapist Assistant Program in St. Louis, Associate of Applied Science
The Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) Associate of Applied Science program at St. Louis College of Health Careers prepares students to render professional assistance to patients who are recovering from injury and illness. Under the direction and supervision of a Licensed Physical Therapist, PTAs focus their efforts on restoring patients’ range of motion, managing their chronic/acute pain, and performing functional activities of their daily lives once again with confidence. Our graduates gain the ability to:
- Use physical modalities and adaptive equipment
- Collect data on the progress of each patient
- Document and report upon each patient’s response to treatment
- Educate patients and their families on how to apply therapeutic techniques to their everyday lives
- Assist with a broad range of other aspects of their physical therapy practice
Graduate Opportunities
PTA graduates generally find fulfilling work in which they are involved in the direct care of patients. This can be in a variety of settings, including outpatient clinics, hospitals, home health, nursing homes, schools, and sports facilities.
FSBPT Certification
SLCHC graduates are eligible to apply to sit for a standardized exam by the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT) before a license will be granted.
* Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2016-17 Edition, Physical Therapist Assistants and Aides,
on the Internet at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/physical-therapist-assistants-and-aides.htm
Semester 1
| Course # | Course | Hours | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| HB300 | Medical Terminology | 30 | 1 |
| ENG101 | English Composition | 45 | 3 |
| MTH 202 | Algebra & Mathematical Functions | 45 | 3 |
| BL 121 | Anatomy & Physiology | 45 | 3 |
| BL 121L | Anatomy & Physiology Lab | 30 | 1 |
| PS 101 | Psychology | 45 | 3 |
| HC 101 | Ethics | 45 | 3 |
Semester 2
| Course # | Course | Hours | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| PTA120 | Fundamentals of Physical Therapy | 45 | 3 |
| PS203 | Human Growth & Development | 30 | 2 |
| BL302 | Kinesiology | 45 | 3 |
| BL302L | Kinesiology Lab | 30 | 1 |
| PTA124 | Pathology | 45 | 3 |
| PTA128 | Basic Patient Care | 30 | 2 |
| PTA128L | Basic Patient Care Lab | 60 | 2 |
Semester 3
| Course # | Course | Hours | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| PTA231 | Orthopedics | 30 | 2 |
| PTA 235 | Physical Agents | 60 | 2 |
| PTA 235L | Physical Agents Lab | 90 | 3 |
| PTA 237 | Therapeutic Exercise | 30 | 2 |
| PTA 237L | Therapeutic Exercise Lab | 90 | 3 |
Semester 4
| Course # | Course | Hours | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| PTA249C | Integrated Clinical | 160 | 3 |
| PTA241 | Neurological Conditions | 45 | 3 |
| PTA241L | Neurological Conditions Lab | 60 | 2 |
| PTA248 | Advanced Patient Care | 30 | 2 |
| PTA248L | Advanced Patient Care Lab | 60 | 2 |
| PTA247 | Integrated Physical Therapy Interventions for the PTA | 15 | 1 |
Semester 5
| Course # | Course | Hours | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| PTA 252C | Clinical Internship I | 240 | 5 |
| PTA 254C | Clinical Seminar | 15 | 1 |
| PTA 256C | Clinical Internship II | 240 | 5 |
| PTA260 | Capstone Class | 15 | 1 |
Program Accreditations
The Physical Therapist Assistant program at St. Louis College of Health Careers is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE).
3030 Potomac Ave., Suite 100
Alexandria, Virginia 22305-3085
703-706-3245
accreditation@apta.org
www.capteonline.org
If needing to contact the program/institution directly, please call (636)529-0000 ext. 3592 or email dmaxam@slchc.edu