LCCC Catalog 2023-2024

Dec 11, 2024

LCCC Catalog 2023-2024 [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Physical Therapist Assistant, AAS

Location(s): Cheyenne Campus

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Physical Therapist Assistants (PTAs) work under the direction of physical therapists to help people of all ages who have health-related conditions that limit their ability to move and perform daily activities. Physical therapist assistants help patients reach their maximum performance and level of functioning while learning to live within the limits of their rehabilitation goals. Physical therapist assistants may assist in the development of treatment plans, treatment documentation, and modification of specific treatments that have been established by the physical therapist.

The Associate of Applied Science degree in the Physical Therapist Assistant professional curriculum is a five-semester sequence, with the first semester coursework the pre-requisites. Students must maintain a minimum grade of a “C” in each course, in addition to graduation requirements, to progress and graduate. Upon completion, graduates of the Physical Therapist Assistant program are eligible to apply for the national licensing exam administered by the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT).

The Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) at Laramie County Community College (LCCC) 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: www.capteonline.org.

Additional Requirements: Each program has specific admission requirements-see program website for detailed information or meet with a health science success coach or faculty mentor for specifics.

Contact Information

Contact information is available on the Physical Therapist Assistant program website.

Map your individual academic plan of courses with your Student Success Coach.

If students choose to transition to another program within the Health Sciences & Wellness pathway, they should be particularly aware of the choice points that indicate when a decision to branch off into another program must be made to ensure credits and time are not lost.

Coursework common to all degrees within this pathway is indicated by CAC, Common Academic Coursework, in the program map.

Competencies

Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:

Perform physical therapist assistant procedures professionally under the direction and supervision of a physical therapist.
Implement a comprehensive treatment plan under the direction and supervision of a physical therapist (PT).
Implement PT interventions based on treatment outcomes for patients in a variety of settings.
Demonstrate effective communication skills with the patient, Physical Therapist, health care personnel, and others in a competent manner.
Integrate concepts from the pre-requisite course work, basic sciences and PTA programming with the use of critical thinking skills into physical therapy practice.
Use evidence-based research to guide treatment interventions within the physical therapy field.

Prerequisites

Choice Points

Students pursuing the Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) program should complete the prerequisite courses listed here during their first semester to avoid losing credits and to stay on track to apply to the program.

Course Requirements

ENGL 1010 - English Composition I Credits: 3 | CAC
COMM 2010 - Public Speaking Credits: 3 | CAC
MATH 1400 - College Algebra Credits: 3 | CAC
HLTK 1200 - Medical Terminology Credits: 2
ZOO 2010 - Human Anatomy & Physiology I Credits: 4
OR
ZOO 2015 - Human Anatomy Credits: 4

Milestones

Students are eligible to apply to the PTA program upon completion of this semester.

Semester Total: 15 Credits

First Semester

Course Requirements

STRT 1000 - Strategies for Success Credits: 3 | CAC
HLTK 2510 - Pathophysiology Credits: 2
ZOO 2020 - Human Anatomy & Physiology II Credits: 4
OR
ZOO 2025 - Human Physiology Credits: 4
PTAT 1600 - Introduction to Physical Therapist Assistant Credits: 3
PTAT 2030 - Functional Kinesiology for the Physical Therapist Assistant Credits: 4

Milestones

The PTA program typically begins during the spring semester.

Semester Total: 16 Credits

Second Semester

Course Requirements

PTAT 1650 - Therapeutic Procedures I Credits: 4
PTAT 1720 - Therapeutic Exercise Credits: 4
PTAT 1740 - Cardiac Rehabilitation Credits: 2

Milestones

The PTA program has classes during the summer semester.

Semester Total: 10 Credits

Third Semester

Course Requirements

EDST 2420 - Human Life Span Development Credits: 3
PTAT 1660 - Therapeutic Procedures II Credits: 3
PTAT 1820 - Orthopedics Credits: 4
PTAT 2970 - PTA Clinical Practicum I Credits: 7

Milestones

Students begin an approved Clinical Practicum based on successful completion of academic coursework during this semester.

Semester Total: 17 Credits

Fourth Semester

Course Requirements

Choose an approved U.S./Wyoming Constitution course Credits: 3 | CAC
PTAT 1800 - Neurology Credits: 3
PTAT 1840 - Specialty Rehabilitation Credits: 1
PTAT 2971 - PTA Clinical Practicum II Credits: 7

Milestones

Students begin an approved Clinical Practicum based on successful completion of academic coursework during this semester.
Completion of Physical Therapist Assistant, AAS.
Students are eligible to apply for the national licensing exam, administered by the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT).

Semester Total: 14 Credits

Program Credit Hour Total: 72 Credits

Program Comments

Students planning to apply to the Physical Therapist Assistant program should work closely with their Advising Team regarding course sequence options required for completion prior to program application. STRT 1000 is a general education requirement, but is not a prerequisite course requirement prior to program application. Students may apply to the program while enrolled in or completing the last semester of prerequisites. Students should closely review the program application for specific information and requirements prior to applying to the program.

The information below is intended to be a guide, and does not guarantee regional job placement, job availability, or a specific wage after completion of the program. Employment opportunities are available in a variety of settings including outpatient physical therapy offices and clinics, hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, and school districts. Upon completion, graduates of the Physical Therapist Assistant program are eligible to apply for the national licensing exam, administered by the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT).

Additional information on careers in Physical Therapist Assistant is available through Career Coach and career specific related links below.

Transfer Information

LCCC courses may transfer to institutions in addition to those with formal articulation agreements. Students are strongly encouraged to determine the degree requirements and transfer policy of the specific college/university and program to which they plan to transfer.