Physical Therapist Assistant

PROGRAM INFORMATION: The two-year, 66 hour curriculum in physical therapy leads to an Associate of Applied Science Degree (A.A.S., PTA). The physical therapist assistant curriculum includes on-campus coursework and clinical experiences in traditional and non-traditional physical therapy settings. The program helps prepare the graduate to take the National Physical Therapy Examination provided by The Federation of State Board Examiners (FSBPT) to become a Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA). Graduates must also meet licensure requirements as mandated by the Executive Council on Physical Therapy Examiners for the state of Texas or the state in which licensure is sought. Graduation from a physical therapist assistant education program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), 1111 North Fairfax Street, Alexandria, VA 22314; phone; 703-706-3245; accreditation@apta.org is necessary for eligibility to sit for the licensure examination, which is required in all states.

The Physical Therapist Assistant program at Navarro College is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), 1111 North Fairfax Street, Alexandria Virginia 22314; telephone: 703-706-3245; email: accreditation@apta.org website: http://www.capteonline.org

Admission to the PTA program is a separate procedure from admission to Navarro College. Applicants must first meet all admission criteria for Navarro College. Once enrolled in Navarro College, the student may submit an application to the PTA Program. It is mandatory for potential applicants to attend one of the information sessions, which are conducted at various times throughout the year. Applications to the program may be obtained by attending an information session, in person through the Health Profession Department located on Corsicana campus or on the Midlothian campus, or by electronic download from the program webpage. Positions in the program are limited and are a selective process. Admission decisions will be made through a points system. Priority status is determined from the following data: Completion of or exemption from Texas success Initiative (TSI) requirements, grades in non-physical therapy coursed and pre-requisite courses (completed prior to the application deadline) on the PTA degree plan, Health Occupations Basic Entrance Test (HOBET), previous health work experience, and completion of a prior degree or health certification.

Additional Program Requirements:

  • All required coursework must be completed with a grade of “C” or better.
  • Students will provide proof of required or state-mandated health screenings, immunizations and CPR training. Clinical training will require drug screenings and criminal background checks.
  • Entry into PTHA 2366 Practicum must occur within six months of completing academic studies.
  • Interruption in sequence of studies may require additional coursework to help ensure clinical readiness.
  • PLEASE NOTE: A felony conviction may affect a graduate’s ability to sit for the FSBPT (Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy) and/or attain state licensure.

Prerequisites

HPRS 1101Introduction to Health Professions

1

BIOL 2401Anatomy & Physiology I

4

BIOL 2402Anatomy & Physiology II

4

ENGL 1301Composition I

3

Total Credit Hours:12

Freshman Year

Spring

PTHA 1409Introduction to Physical Therapy

4

PTHA 1413Functional Anatomy

4

PTHA 1321Pathophysiology for PTA

3

PSYC 2314Lifespan Growth and Development

3

MATH 1342Elementary Statistical Methods

3

Total Credit Hours:17

Fall

PTHA 2409Therapeutic Exercise

4

PTHA 1431Physical Agents

4

PTHA 2205Neurology

2

PTHA 2301Essentials of Data Collection

3

PHIL 1301Introduction to Philosophy

3

OR

PHIL 2306Introduction to Ethics

3

Total Credit Hours:16

Sophomore Year

Spring

PTHA 2431Management of Neurological Disorders

4

PTHA 2435Rehabilitation Techniques

4

PTHA 1260PTA Clinical I

2

SPCH
Elective

3

Total Credit Hours:13

Fall

PTHA 2360PTA Clinical II

3

PTHA 2366PTA Practicum

3

PTHA 2239Professional Issues

2

Total Credit Hours:8