2 credit hours

Offered fall semester. Two-hour lecture web course. Fee: $100.00.

The student will learn: 1) the profession of physical therapy including its history, professional organization, and structure in the healthcare setting; 2) Physical Therapy practice including settings, interventions, and the roles of the physical therapist (PT) and the physical therapist assistant (PTA); 3) ethical and legal issues; 4) professionalism and cultural awareness; 5) verbal communication including teaching and learning; 6) nonverbal communication including basic documentation and medical record reviews; 7) reimbursement and research; and 8) strategies for success in the program and the profession.

In order to successfully pass this course, student must achieve a grade of “C” or better

5 credit hours

Offered fall semester. Two hours lecture and on average nine hours of seminar/campus laboratory/clinical lab a week. Fee: $100.00.

This course includes: 1) introduction to patient care; 2) handwashing, asepsis, and sterile field techniques; 3) proper body mechanics and lifting; 4) obtaining vitals; 5) positioning, and draping; 6) manual techniques including passive joint range of motion and therapeutic massage; 7) joint measurements including goniometry; 8) application of assistive/adaptive equipment; 9) wheelchair maintenance and mobility; 10) functional training in self-care and domestic, education, work, community, social, and civic life; and 11) motor function training (i.e. transfers, gait training, balance) with emphasis on proper body mechanics. Skill checks and/or practical examinations on all appropriate clinical topics will be conducted.

In order to successfully pass this course, student must achieve a grade of "C" or better.

Prerequisite: Acceptance into Phase II of the PTA Program.

2 credit hours

Offered fall semester. Four hours lecture and on average one hour of seminar a week. Fee: $100.00.

This course describes the etiology, signs, symptoms and treatments of diseases, disorders, and injuries commonly requiring physical rehabilitation in a system approach.

In order to successfully pass this course, student must achieve a grade of "C" or better.

Prerequisite: Acceptance into Phase II of the PTA Program.

2 credit hours

Offered spring semester. Four hours lecture and on average one hour of seminar a week. Fee: $100.00.

This course describes the etiology, signs, symptoms and treatments of diseases, disorders, and injuries commonly requiring physical rehabilitation in a system approach.

In order to successfully pass this course, student must achieve a grade of "C" or better.

Prerequisite: Successful completion of all PTA third semester courses.

3 credit hours

Offered fall semester. Two hours lecture and on average two hours of seminar/campus laboratory/clinical lab a week. Fee: $100.00.

This course provides an introduction to patient treatment including preparation of the patient and related equipment. Patient issues such as inflammation and repair, pain, tone, and movement restrictions will be explored. The student will learn the physics, physiology, application, indications, and contraindications behind various biophysical agents including superficial and deep thermal agents, cryotherapy, electromagnetic agents, compression therapies, hydrotherapy, and light therapy. Paraffin bath, ultrasound, phonophoresis, ultraviolet, and diathermy will also be covered. In addition, students will have an introduction to electrotherapeutic modalities such as transcutaneous electrical stimulation (TENS). Related medical terminology and SOAP format documentation are utilized. Skill checks and/or practical examinations on all appropriate clinical topics will be conducted.

In order to successfully pass this course, student must achieve a grade of "C" or better.

Prerequisite: Acceptance into Phase II of the PTA Program.

3 credit hours

Offered spring semester. Two hours lecture and on average two hours of seminar/campus laboratory/clinical lab a week. Fee: $100.00.

The student will learn the physics, physiology, application, indications, and contraindications behind various biophysical agents including electrotherapeutic physical agents for pain, tissue healing, muscle strengthening, and muscle reeducation including direct, alternating, and pulsed current. The student will also learn both cervical and lumbar mechanical traction, hydrotherapy including pool therapy, and related documentation for all of the above. Skill checks and/or practical examinations on all appropriate clinical topics will be conducted.

In order to successfully pass this course, student must achieve a grade of "C" or better.

Prerequisite: Successful completion of all PTA third semester courses.

4 credit hours

Offered spring semester. Two hours lecture and on average seven hours of seminar/campus laboratory/clinical lab a week. Fee: $100.00.

The course includes an understanding of advanced anatomy and physiology, documentation including medical terminology, and treatment of the following: 1) pediatric nervous system disorders and neurodevelopmental sequencing; 2) adult nervous system disorders including, but not limited to, cerebral vascular accidents, traumatic brain injury, and spinal cord injuries; 3) individuals with amputations; 4) orthotic and prosthetic considerations; 5) cardiopulmonary rehabilitation; and 6) integumentary concerns such as wounds and burns. Skill checks and/or practical examinations on all appropriate clinical topics will be conducted.

In order to successfully pass this course, student must achieve a grade of "C" or better.

Prerequisite: Successful completion of all PTA third semester courses.

4 credit hours

Offered fall semester. Three hours lecture and on average five hours of seminar/campus laboratory/clinical lab a week. Fee: $100.00.

The student will learn: 1) advanced anatomy of the musculoskeletal system with special considerations of joints of the body; 2) movement analysis of the body with emphasis on osteokinematics and arthrokinematics; 3) gait analysis in the normal and involved patient; 4) gross muscle testing, basic understanding of manual muscle testing; 5) related medical and SOAP format documentation; and 6) palpation of bony and soft tissue structures. Skill checks and/or practical examinations on all appropriate clinical topics will be conducted.

In order to successfully pass this course, student must achieve a grade of "C" or better.

Prerequisite: Acceptance into Phase II of the PTA Program.

4 credit hours

Offered spring semester. Two hours lecture and on average eight hours of seminar/campus laboratory/clinical lab a week. Fee: $100.00.

This course provides an in depth study of therapeutic exercise with development of understanding in basic exercise physiology. The student will learn: 1) theory and practice of therapeutic exercise in a treatment and preventative role; 2) proper use of exercise equipment, mat activities etc. to address flexibility, strengthening, endurance, etc.; 3) measurement of endurance, flexibility and ROM including goniomeric measurement; and 4) related medical terminology and SOAP format documentation. Skill checks and/or practical examinations on all appropriate clinical topics will be conducted.

In order to successfully pass this course, student must achieve a grade of "C" or better.

Prerequisite: Successful completion of all PTA third semester courses.

2 credit hours

Offered fall semester. Two hours lecture, and, on average, two hours of seminar/campus laboratory/clinical lab a week, plus ninety-six hours of clinical fieldwork throughout the semester. Fee: $100.00. Learning Harbor Fee: $25.00. Criminal Background Check Fee: $39.00. Nurse Managed Wellness Clinic Fee: $40.00. Uniform Fee: $30.00.

This course will consist of weekly lecture/lab/seminar on topics pertinent to the field of physical therapy including information needed for successful orientation into the clinical setting (e.g., professionalism, psychosocial issues, documentation, ethics, laws and regulations, reimbursement, as well as, orientation to applicable clinical equipment and techniques.) The clinical hours involve observation and utilization of skills assessed thus far in the curriculum as per Academic Coordinator of Clinical Education (ACCE) and Clinical Instructor (CI) discretion. Skill checks and/or practical examinations will be conducted as needed including a cumulative practical examination.

In order to successfully pass this course, student must achieve a grade of "C" or better.

Prerequisite: Acceptance into Phase II of the PTA Program.

2 credit hours

Offered spring semester. Two hours lecture, and, on average, two hours of seminar/campus laboratory/clinical lab a week, plus 120 hours of clinical fieldwork throughout the semester. Fee: $100.00. Testing Fee: $99.00. Exam Prep Fee: $275.00. Nurse Managed Wellness Clinic Fee: $40.00.

The student will rotate to a different type of facility for each of the week sessions. Clinical sites are located in the region, which may require some travel. The student will participate in patient treatment skills mastered in the fall PTA coursework as well as clinical applications of the theory and techniques in the spring PTA coursework as per lab skill check-off sheet, Academic Coordinator of Clinical Education (ACCE) and Clinical Instructor (CI) discretion. All clinical competencies will be scored as per format in the PTA Student Handbook using the clinical assessment instruments. Weekly seminar on topics pertinent to the field of physical therapy including professionalism, ethics, reimbursement, etc. will also be covered. Skill checks and/or practical examinations on all appropriate clinical topics will be conducted.

In order to successfully pass this course, student must achieve a grade of "C" or better.

Prerequisite: Successful completion of all PTA third semester courses.

1 credit hour

Offered summer session. Fifteen hours of lecture. Fee: $100.00.

This course is intertwined with Practicum I and II in which various aspects of physical therapy encountered clinically by the students are explored for relevancy and future professional implications. The course also includes a licensing exam preparation among other assignments.

In order to successfully pass this course, student must achieve a grade of "C" or better.

Prerequisite: Successful completion of all PTA fourth semester courses

5 credit hours

Offered summer session. Forty clinical hours and three online lecture hours a week for five weeks. Fee: $100.00. Nurse Managed Wellness Clinic Fee: $40.00.

The course consists of a five-week long, forty hours per week clinical rotation at one clinical site area. Experience will be assessed in relation to clinical skills check-off found in the clinical assessment instrument. Several experiences may be available in one area (i.e. several weeks at a hospital followed by several weeks at a clinical associated with the same clinical site). Student must be willing to commute for extended distances within the greater region during this time. Clinical competencies will be continued, oral presentation will be presented to the staff on a topic other than the topics presented in previous clinical rotations.

In order to successfully pass this course, student must achieve a grade of "C" or better.

Prerequisite: Successful completion of all PTA fourth semester courses.

5 credit hours

Offered summer session. Forty clinical hours and three online lecture hours a week for five weeks. Fee: $100.00. Nurse Managed Wellness Clinic Fee: $40.00.

The course consists of a five-week long, forty hours per week clinical rotation at one clinical site area. Every effort will be made to accommodate site with the student clinical skills check-off needs and/or desires. All critical clinical skills must be completed at the end of this rotation. Several experiences may be available in one area (i.e. several weeks at a hospital followed by several weeks at a clinical associated with the same clinical site). Student must be willing to commute for extended distances within the greater region during this time. Clinical competencies will be completed, oral presentation will be presented to the staff on a topic other than the topics presented in previous clinical rotations.

In order to successfully pass this course, student must achieve a grade of "C" or better.

Prerequisite: Successful completion of all PTA fourth semester courses.

1 credit hour

This course is designed to allow students in the clinical phase of the Physical Therapist Assistant Program the opportunity to pursue individual research in the field of Physical Therapy, as well as allowing students to meet new or updated competency requirements for success in the field. The student will be supervised by a PTA faculty member and be required to attain a predetermined competency level.

This course may be repeated for credit up to a maximum of 5 credits based upon approval of the Physical Therapist Assistant Program Director.

The student must be accepted into Phase II of the PTA program to take this class.

In order to successfully pass this course, student must achieve a grade of "C" or better.