Physical Therapist Assistant (AAS)

Physical Therapist Assistants (PTAs) are skilled and licensed health care providers who work under the direction and supervision of physical therapists. PTAs perform components of physical therapy plan of care developed by a supervising physical therapist. PTAs assist physical therapists in providing services that help improve mobility, relieve pain, and prevent or limit permanent disabilities for people of all ages who have medical problems or other health-related concerns. Duties of the PTA include assisting the physical therapist in implementing treatment programs, providing interventions, and communicating with the physical therapist and other members of the health care team regarding the client's response to treatment and interventions. Clients may include accident victims, individuals with disabling conditions, and those requiring instruction in health promotion and wellness activities. Upon successful completion of this program, the student will receive an Associate in Applied Science Degree in Physical Therapist Assistant and is eligible to apply for Michigan licensure and take the National Physical Therapy Examination administered by the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT).

Articulation

Eastern Michigan University, BS degree

Copies can be obtained from the Counseling Office, a program advisor, or from the Curriculum and Assessment Office Web site: https://www.wccnet.edu/learn/transfer-wcc-credits/articulation-agreements.php.

Applying for Admission to the Program

A formal application and acceptance to the program is required. Application packets may be downloaded from WCC's Student Welcome Center, Health and Second Tier Program, information page https://www.wccnet.edu/start-now/degree/2nd-tier/.

Completed and signed applications must be submitted during the dates indicated on the application to the Health and Second Tier Admissions Office in the Student Welcome Center, located on the second floor of the Student Center Building.

Requirement After Acceptance

Upon notification of acceptance to the program students must purchase an account from a college-designated vendor to obtain a criminal background check and to track their health records. The criminal background check must be submitted to the designated vendor before attending the first program mandatory orientation session. The health requirements must be completed within the dates provided in the acceptance letter and submitted to the designated vendor by the deadline provided in the acceptance letter. Students who have not completed a class using an online Learning Management System (LMS) through their high school or at WCC must familiarize themselves with WCC's LMS system. WCC offers LMS help and students can find information on the website of the LMS system. The student must sign a statement confirming fluency using WCC's online Learning Management System.

Program Admission Requirements

Washtenaw Community College uses a competitive admission process for high demand programs in health care. Each year, approximately 20 students are accepted to the program for a Fall semester start. There are multiple requirements that must be completed prior to submitting an application for admission. This is a full-time program; no part-time option is available. For detailed information regarding admission to this health care program, please visit our Health Care website at https://www.wccnet.edu/learn/departments/alhd/.

Prerequisite and program requirements along with WCC's point system and scales are reviewed annually and subject to change. Students are expected to meet the prerequisite and program requirements of the catalog term for the semester in which they first begin the program. Details regarding WCC's Admission to High Demand Programs policy including priority levels are on WCC's Board of Trustees policy page: https://www.wccnet.edu/trustees/policies/2005/. Details regarding WCC's point scales that are used to calculate points are on WCC's Student Welcome Center, Health and Second Tier Program, information page: https://www.wccnet.edu/start-now/degree/2nd-tier/.

Requirements for application are:

1. Admission to WCC.
2. All applicants are required to have a mandatory meeting with an advisor prior to applying to the program.
3. Program prerequisite courses:
   1. Academic Math Level 3 or higher or MTH 160 Basic Statistics with a minimum grade of C/2.0.
   2. HSC 101 Healthcare Terminology with a minimum grade of C/2.0.
   3. BIO 111 Anatomy and Physiology - Normal Structure and Function with a minimum grade of B-/2.7.
   4. ENG 111 Composition I with a minimum grade of C/2.0
4. Minimum cumulative program prerequisite GPA of 2.8.
5. Technical standards (refer to the form in the admission packet). WCC reserves the right to request, before and during the program, that students successfully demonstrate specific physical and cognitive abilities related to the program.
6. 12 hours of observation in a physical therapy setting with a minimum of three (3) hours in at least two (2) different types of physical therapy settings (refer to the Clinical Observation website for guidelines https://www.wccnet.edu/learn/departments/alhd/physical-therapist/clinical-observation.php)
7. Residency verification.

Continuing Eligibility Requirements

1. Additional criminal background checks may be conducted at any time during the program. Students may be required to have drug testing as well as additional criminal background checks and/or fingerprinting prior to the start of a clinical sequence as requested by specific clinical facilities. Failure to receive an acceptable drug test and/or criminal background/fingerprinting check at any time, will result in dismissal from the program.
2. Students will be required to submit health records annually while in the program and must complete any other health requirements as designated by the clinical sites.
3. Students will be required to purchase special uniforms and supplies throughout the duration of the program.
4. Students are required to demonstrate that they have maintained competency in all skills taught throughout their progression through the program. Failure to demonstrate continued competency will result in dismissal from the program.
5. Students must have reliable transportation to clinical education sites which may require a commute of up to one hour.
6. All Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) courses and support courses to the program must be completed with a minimum grade of C/2.0.
7. Students who are dismissed from the program may not be eligible to reapply to the program.

Minimum Credits Required for the Program: 62

Plan of Study Grid

Major/Area Requirements		Credits
Program Prerequisite Courses:
BIO 111	Anatomy and Physiology - Normal Structure and Function (with a minimum grade of B-/2.7)	5
ENG 111	Composition I (with a minimum grade of C/2.0)	4
HSC 101	Healthcare Terminology (with a minimum grade of C/2.0)	1
MTH 160	Basic Statistics (with a minimum grade of C/2.0) 1	4
	Credits	14
First Fall Semester
HSC 147	Growth and Development 1	3
PTA 100	Fundamentals of Physical Therapy	2
PTA 150	Therapeutic Procedures I	3
PTA 180	Clinical Kinesiology	4
Select one of the following:		3
COM 101	Fundamentals of Speaking 1
COM 102	Interpersonal Communication 1
	Credits	15
First Winter Semester
PSY 100	Introduction to Psychology 1	3
PTA 160	Therapeutic Procedures II	2
PTA 195	Introduction to Disease	2
PTA 200	Therapeutic Modalities	4
PTA 220	Therapeutic Exercise I	4
PTA 230	Clinical Education I	1
	Credits	16
Second Fall Semester
PHL 244	Ethical and Legal Issues in Health Care 1	3
PTA 198	Soft Tissue Management	2
PTA 225	Therapeutic Exercise II	4
PTA 240	Clinical Education II	2
	Credits	11
Second Winter Semester
PTA 250	Clinical Education III	5
PTA 280	Clinical Concepts	1
	Credits	6
	Total Credits	62

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These courses may be taken before admission to the Physical Therapist Assistant program (It is strongly recommended that students complete the general education courses before entering the Physical Therapist Assistant program). Students may transfer or substitute equivalent general education courses or a healthcare terminology course required for the Physical Therapist Assistant program.