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

 

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