Physical Therapist Assistant - Associate in Science
Health Science Department
PTA-AS
Program Leadership Information
Dr. Kory Thomas
Program Director
thomas.kory@spcollege.edu
(727) 341-3612
Program Director
thomas.kory@spcollege.edu
(727) 341-3612
For Academic Advising and Program Admissions Information please contact:
Healthadvising@spcollege.edu
Healthadvising@spcollege.edu
Program Summary
Transferable to a Bachelor’s degree in Health Services Administration at SPC. This program begins every August. All Physical Therapist Assistant courses (PHT course prefix) are offered only at the Health Education Center at 7200 66th St. N., Pinellas Park. Due to the time-intensive nature of the PTA program courses, it is highly recommended that students complete as many of the general education and support courses as possible prior to entry into the program. Candidates will also complete the Health Programs Application. It is recommended that all students applying to the PTA program see a counselor or advisor at the Health Education Center.
The Academic Pathway is a tool for students that lists the following items:
If you have already started the program, click one of the following for the archived Academic Pathways. Please verify the Academic Pathway lists your correct starting semester.
- the recommended order in which to take the program courses
- suggested course when more than one option exists
- which semester each course is typically offered
- if the course has a prerequisite
- courses that may lead to a certificate (if offered in the program)
If you have already started the program, click one of the following for the archived Academic Pathways. Please verify the Academic Pathway lists your correct starting semester.
Program Learning Outcomes
- The graduate will provide physical therapy interventions under the direction and supervision of a physical therapist in a competent, safe, and effective manner, maintaining compliance with federal and state licensing requirements and facility policies and procedures. (Fl State Framework 13.16 and 15.0)
- The graduate will determine each patient’s response to the intervention through accurate, reproducible, safe, and valid data collection methods using accepted tests and standard procedures. (FL State Framework 16.03)
- The graduate will demonstrate effective critical thinking and clinical decision-making skills to determine the patient’s appropriateness for and response to interventions and to modify, progress or stop interventions as indicated to achieve goals as established in the plan of care. (FL State Framework 14.11)
- The graduate will demonstrate behaviors that are legal, ethical and safe and that are consistent with APTA’s Values Based Behaviors and Standard of Ethical Conduct for the Physical Therapist Assistant. (FL State Framework 13.01 and 13.04)
- The graduate will communicate effectively with all stakeholders, including patients/clients, family members, caregivers, the physical therapist, and other health care providers utilizing effective verbal and non-verbal communication strategies for the level of the individual. (FL State Framework 13.13)
- The graduate will complete accurate, legible documentation that follows guidelines and specific documentation formats required by state practice acts, the practice setting, and other regulatory agencies. (FL State Framework 16.09)
- The graduate will appropriately utilize information from health care literature to guide clinical decisions related to the provision of interventions as directed by the PT. (FL State Framework 13.21 and 13.22)
- The graduate will participate in the APTA and related professional organizations to promote and maintain the future of the Physical Therapy profession. (FL State Framework 13.23)
- The graduate will identify career development and lifelong learning opportunities, including the role of the physical therapist assistant in the clinical education of physical therapist assistant students. (FL State Framework 13.24)
Admission Requirements
Please review the Physical Therapist Assistant A.S. Admission Guide.
The Admission Guide will outline the admission criteria specific to the Physical Therapist Assistant A.S. program as well as explain the timetable for evaluation and further admission correspondence. Please review this information carefully to ensure you submit a complete application at the appropriate time. Only students who satisfy all the application requirements and submit a complete application in accordance with the information detailed in the Admission Guide will be considered for admission.
Students must be currently enrolled in or have completed the following courses with grades of "C" or better:
BSC 2085 HUMAN ANATOMY & PHYSIOLOGY I (3 credits)
BSC 2085L HUMAN ANATOMY & PHYSIOLOGY LABORATORY I (1 credit)
PHI 1600 - ETHICS or (Honors) (3 credits)
HSC 1531 MEDICAL TERMINOLOGY I (2 credits)
Computer/Information Literacy Competency Requirement
Grade of “C” or higher required for BSC 2085/L in order to progress to the first term of the PTA Program.
Applicants must also complete 24 hours of observation in two different physical therapy settings (inpatient and outpatient).
Graduation Requirements
Grade of "C" or better required in all courses.
Successful completion (78%) of a comprehensive program exam given at the end of the second year.
Program Requirements
AS GENERAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS
AS Gen Ed
Credits 12
AS GENERAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS - Communications - Composition- Core
AS GENERAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS - Communications - Composition- Core
3
Complete 3 credits from the approved General Education Composition I coursework. Minimum grade of "C" required. This requirement must be completed within the first 24 credits of coursework toward the AS degree.
Complete 3 credits from the approved General Education Composition I coursework. Minimum grade of "C" required. This requirement must be completed within the first 24 credits of coursework toward the AS degree.
AS GENERAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS - Social and Behavioral Sciences- Core
AS GENERAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS - Social and Behavioral Sciences- Core
3
Complete 3 credits from the approved General Education Social and Behavioral Sciences coursework. Minimum grade of "C" required.
Completing POS 2041 or POS 2041H or AMH 2020 or AMH 2020H will satisfy the course component of the Civic Literacy Requirement.
Complete 3 credits from the approved General Education Social and Behavioral Sciences coursework. Minimum grade of "C" required.
Completing POS 2041 or POS 2041H or AMH 2020 or AMH 2020H will satisfy the course component of the Civic Literacy Requirement.
AS GENERAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS - Humanities and Fine Arts-Core
AS GENERAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS - Humanities and Fine Arts-Core
3
Complete 3 credits from the approved
General Education Humanities and Fine
Arts coursework. Minimum grade of "C"
required.
Completing HUM 1020 will also satisfy the Enhanced World View Requirement
Complete 3 credits from the approved General Education Humanities and Fine Arts coursework. Minimum grade of "C" required. Completing ARH 1000, HUM 1020 or IDS 1106 will also satisfy the Enhanced World View Requirement.
AS GENERAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS - Mathematics-Core
AS GENERAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS - Mathematics-Core
3
Complete 3 credits from the approved General Education Mathematics coursework. Minimum grade of "C" required.
Complete 3 credits from the approved General Education Mathematics coursework. Minimum grade of "C" required.
AS GENERAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS - Enhanced World View
AS GENERAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS - Enhanced World View
Complete at least one 3-credit course intended to enhance the student's world view in light of an increasingly globalized economy. Minimum grade of "C" required. In some cases, this course may also be used to satisfy another General Education Requirement.
Complete at least one 3-credit course from the approved General Education Enhanced Worldview course list. This requirement is intended to enhance the student's world view in light of an increasingly globalized economy. Minimum grade of "C" required. In some cases, this course may also be used to satisfy another General Education Requirement.
AS GENERAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS - Civic Literacy
AS GENERAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS - Civic Literacy
0
Competency may be demonstrated by completing at least one course from the approved General Education Civic Literacy coursework below (minimum grade of "C" required) AND satisfactory completion of an assessment (exam). This requirement is in compliance with Rule 6A-10.02413 of the Florida Administrative Code.
Competency may be demonstrated by completing at least one course from the approved General Education Civic Literacy coursework below (minimum grade of "C" required) AND satisfactory completion of an assessment (exam). This requirement is in compliance with Rule 6A-10.02413 of the Florida Administrative Code.
SUPPORT COURSES
Anatomy and Physiology (Complete 8 credits)
Credits 8
Completion of this requirement satisfies the
General Education Natural Science Core
requirement for this AS degree.
Completion of this requirement satisfies the
General Education Natural Science Core
requirement for this AS degree.
SUPPORT COURSES
Computer and Information Literacy Requirement (Complete 1 course)
Credits 0
Competency may be demonstrated by completing the Computer Information and Literacy Exam (CGS1070T) OR by successful completion of one of the approved Computer/Information Literacy Competency courses. No minimum credits required. Completion of this requirement satisfies the General Education Computer Competency requirement for this AS degree.
Competency may be demonstrated by completing the Computer Information and Literacy Exam (CGS1070T) OR by successful completion of one of the approved Computer/Information Literacy Competency courses. No minimum credits required. Completion of this requirement satisfies the General Education Computer Competency requirement for this AS degree.
SUPPORT COURSES
Ethics (Complete 3 credits)
Credits 3
SUPPORT COURSES
Psychology (Select 3 credits)
Credits 3
Completion of this requirement satisfies the General Education Social and Behavioral Science requirement for the AS degree.
Completion of this requirement satisfies the General Education Social and Behavioral Science requirement for the AS degree.
MAJOR CORE COURSES
1st Term in Program
Credits 11
MAJOR CORE COURSES
2nd Term in Program
Credits 11
MAJOR CORE COURSES
3rd Term in Program
Credits 4
Total: 74
Notes
Cohorts are admitted in the fall with applications accepted from March 1 - May 15 .
All Physical Therapist Assistant courses (PHT) are taken at the Health Education Center, 7200 66th St. N, Pinellas Park, FL.
Due to the time-intensive nature of the PTA Program courses, it is highly recommended that you complete as many of the general education and support courses as possible before entering the program.
Graduation Notes
Completion grade of comprehensive exam changed from 75% to 78% per Richard Flora (2/12/2016).