Physical Therapist Assistant Program

This 21-month (seven-term) program prepares you to be a Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA). The PTA is a health care worker who assists the Physical Therapist. PTAs administer treatments to patients working under the supervision of and as an assistant to a physical therapist.

Treatments may include administering active and passive manual exercises and modalities such as massage, heat, light, ultrasound, water, and electrical stimulation to patients with relatively stable conditions. Duties include motivating and assisting patients in learning and improving functional activities, observing patients, and recording observations.

To apply, complete an application, provide IHCC with high school and college transcripts, and take the COMPASS test. Screening is completed to determine qualified applicants. To be considered, a minimum GPA of 2.0 and a minimum score on the COMPASS test is required. Qualified applicants are required to attend an informational session and 40 hours of observation in a physical therapy clinic. The GPA, COMPASS test and clinical hours are used for admission purposes.

This program may be entered only at the beginning of Fall term. Students meeting all program and graduation requirements receive an Associate in Applied Science degree and are eligible to take the National Physical Therapist Assistant Examination.

This program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education, American Physical Therapy Association, 1111 N. Fairfax St., Alexandria, VA 22314, 703.706.3245.

For more information on the Physical Therapist Assistant program at IHCC, contact Jill Budde at 641.683.5271 or 800.726.2585, ext. 5271.

Course Schedule

Catalog Number	Course Name	Credits
Term I
BIO175	Human Anatomy	3
BIO176	Human Anatomy Lab	1
CSC105	Computer Essentials	1
HSC113	Medical Terminology	2
HSC137	AHA First Aid	0.5
HSC139	Healthcare BLS	0.5
HSC268	Health Career Certifications	0.5
PTA108	Trends in PTA	1.5
PTA111	PTA Fundamentals	4
	Total	14
Term II
BIO178	Human Physiology	3
BIO179	Human Physiology Lab	1
PTA118	Functional Human Anatomy	4
PTA310	PTA Clinical I	1
	Math elective	3
	Total	12
Term III
ENG105	Composition I	3
PSY111	Introduction to Psychology	3
PTA121	PTA Kinesiology	3
PTA191	PTA Modalities	4
	Humanities elective	1
	Total	14
Term IV
PSY121	Developmental Psychology	3
PTA198	Therpeutic Exercise	4
PTA311	PTA Clinical II	1
SPC112	Public Speaking	3
	Fine Arts elective	1
	Total	12
Term V
PSY226	Psychology of Aging	3
PTA215	PTA Orthopedics	4
PTA410	PTA Clinical III	2
	Total	9
Term VI
ENG106	Composition II	3
HSC212	Pathophysiology	3
PTA248	PTA Neurology	4
PTA251	Professional Issues	3
	Total	13
Term VII
PTA281	Seminar for PTA	2
PTA411	PTA Clinical IV	7
	Total	9