Program - Physical Therapist Assistant

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Physical Therapist Assistant

Program Information

The Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Physical Therapist Assistant degree program prepares students for employment as a Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA), a health-care provider who, with the guidance of a physical therapist, performs a wide variety of functions as part of the health-care team. This field has been expanding in recent years and the employment outlook continues to be good in hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, home care, and outpatient facilities. In addition to class work in psychology, medical terminology, neuroanatomy and physiology, instrumentation and kinesiology for physical therapy, and advanced physical therapy techniques, students gain “hands-on” experience through clinical practice at area health-care facilities. The Physical Therapist Assistant program at Anoka-Ramsey Community College is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE).

Developmental Courses

Some students may need preparatory courses in the areas of English, mathematics or reading. Courses numbered below 1000 will not apply toward this degree.

  • The Physical Therapist Assistant program at Anoka-Ramsey Community College is accredited by CAPTE. 

    If needing to contact the program or institution directly, please call Lisa Lentner at 763-433-1293 or email Lisa.Lentner@anokaramsey.edu.

    The Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE)
    3030 Potomac Ave., Suite 100
    Alexandria, Virginia 22305-3085
    703-684-2782
    accreditation@apta.org
    capteonline.org

  • Effective July 1, 2020 the U.S. Department of Education is implementing a new regulation (Regulation 34 CFR 668.43 (a) (5) (v)) which requires all college’s with nursing or allied health programs that end in certification or licensing to provide the following:

    1. A list of all states/jurisdictions where the institution’s curriculum meets state educational requirements for professional licensure or certification;
    2. A list of all states/jurisdictions where the institution’s curriculum does not meet state educational requirements for professional licensure or certification; and
    3. A list of all states/jurisdictions where the institution has not made a determination of whether the curriculum meets educational requirements.

    State or U.S. Jurisdiction

    Anoka-Ramsey PTA Curriculum Meets State Education Requirements for PTA Licensure

    Anoka-Ramsey PTA Curriculum DOES NOT MEET State Education Requirements for PTA Licensure

    A determination has not been made whether the curriculum meets educational requirements for PTA Licensure

    Terminology for chart

    Yes

    Requirements Not Met

    No Determination

    Alabama

    Yes

    		    

    Alaska

    Yes

    		    

    American Samoa

    Yes

     

     

    Arizona

    Yes

    		    

    Arkansas

    Yes

    		    

    California

    Yes

    		    

    Colorado

    Yes

    		    

    Connecticut

    Yes

    		    

    Delaware

    Yes

    		    

    District of Columbia

    Yes

     

     

    Florida

    Yes

    		    

    Georgia

    Yes

    		    

    Guam

    Yes

     

     

    Hawaii

    Yes

    		    

    Idaho

    Yes

    		    

    Illinois

    Yes

    		    

    Indiana

    Yes

    		    

    Iowa

    Yes

    		    

    Kansas

    Yes

    		    

    Kentucky

    Yes

    		    

    Louisiana

    Yes

    		    

    Maine

    Yes

    		    

    Maryland

    Yes

    		    

    Massachusetts

    Yes

    		    

    Michigan

    Yes

    		    

    Minnesota

    Yes

    		    

    Mississippi

    Yes

    		    

    Missouri

    Yes

    		    

    Montana

    Yes

    		    

    Nebraska

    Yes

    		    

    Nevada

    Yes

    		    

    New Hampshire

    Yes

    		    

    New Jersey

    Yes

    		    

    New Mexico

    Yes

    		    

    New York

    Yes

    		    

    North Carolina

    Yes

    		    

    North Dakota

    Yes

    		    

    Northern Marinara Islands

    Yes

     

     

    Ohio

    Yes

    		    

    Oklahoma

    Yes

    		    

    Oregon

    Yes

    		    

    Pennsylvania

    Yes

    		    

    Rhode Island

    Yes

    		    

    South Carolina

    Yes

    		    

    South Dakota

    Yes

    		    

    Tennessee

    Yes

    		    

    Texas

    Yes

    		    

    Utah

    Yes

    		    

    Vermont

    Yes

    		    

    Virginia

    Yes

    		    

    Washington

    Yes

    		    

    West Virginia

    Yes

    		    

    Wisconsin

    Yes

    		    

    Wyoming

    Yes

    		    

    NOTE: This information only relates to at initial licensure by exam requirements for the state listed. Students should contact the Board of Physical Therapy in the state they would like to be licensed for specifics.

    This information DOES NOT relate to transferring Licensure to another state.

    A link to the law is:  https://www.nasfaa.org/uploads/documents/2019_State_Authorization_Federal_Regulations.pdf

  • By completing this program, students will achieve the following learning goals:

    1. Demonstrate competent written and electronic documentation skills, and oral communication skills.
    2. Perform all treatment procedures skillfully and safely, including modalities, massage, manual skills, gait training, and data collection for the physical therapist to use for assessment purposes.
    3. Demonstrate knowledge of the normal structure and function of the human body and understand the physiological and psychological effects of disease and injury.
    4. Demonstrate understanding of his/her professional role as a PTA and demonstrate awareness of ethical behavior, legal responsibility, and the PT/PTA professional relationship.
    5. Recognize and appreciate diversity within society and the health care profession.
    6. Successfully pass the PTA licensure exam and begin practice as an entry-level physical therapist assistant.

  • To apply for admission to the Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) program, submit the Application for Physical Therapist Assistant program to the Records and Registration Office between February 1 and February 28 for the following fall. Application materials are available online. All PTA Program requirements are offered at the Coon Rapids Campus.

    PTA Information Packet

    • A minimum of 69 semester credits in courses numbered 1000 or above.
    • A minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 in courses numbered 1000 or above at ARCC.
    • Satisfy residency requirements.
    • A minimum grade of C in all program requirements and general education courses and a grade of “Pass” in clinical practices must be earned.
    • All program requirements must be completed at ARCC.
    • Completion of specific degree requirements.
    • To receive your diploma, you must apply to graduate.
    • The requirements of this program are subject to change without notice.

    NOTE: You are encouraged to contact an academic advisor at 763-433-1230 for course planning assistance and information about transfer credit evaluation and transfer options.

    PROGRAM NOTE: Students who fail to meet the sequence requirements, prerequisites, and academic achievement levels will be dropped from the program.

  •  47 credits
    The PTA Program Core course requirements are only offered at the Coon Rapids Campus.
    BIOL 1102 Medical Terminology 2
    PTAC 1010* Clinical Practice I 3
    PTAC 1020* Musculoskeletal Anatomy and Kinesiology for the PTA 4
    PTAC 1030* Introduction to Physical Therapist Assistant Theory 2
    PTAC 1040* Introduction to Physical Therapist Assistant Lab 2
    PTAC 1050* Modalities and Massage Theory 3
    PTAC 1060* Modalities and Massage Lab 3
    PTAC 1070* Therapeutic Exercise Theory 2
    PTAC 1080* Therapeutic Exercise Lab 3
    PTAC 1100* Communication and Documentation for the Physical Therapy Assistant I 1
    PTAC 1110* Communication and Documentation for the Physical Therapy Assistant II 1
    PTAC 2000* Musculoskeletal Disorders 3
    PTAC 2010* Neuroanatomy and Functional Rehabilitation Theory 3
    PTAC 2015* Neuroanatomy and Functional Rehabilitation Lab 2
    PTAC 2020* Clinical Practice II 3
    PTAC 2040* Special Topics I 3
    PTAC 2050* Special Topics II 4
    PTAC 2060* Clinical Practice II** 3
    *Course has prerequisite - see course schedule or catalog description.
    ** Students must complete all General Education requirements prior to or during enrollment in PTAC 2060.

  • 22 credits
    Complete at least 22 credits in courses from the Minnesota Transfer Curriculum (MnTC) including the following:
    BIOL 2113* Human Anatomy and Physiology I** 4
    BIOL 2114*  Human Anatomy and Physiology II** 4
    CMST 1110
    OR CMST 2215
    OR CMST 2220    		 Introduction to Communication
    OR Public Speaking
    OR Interpersonal Communication    		 3
    ENGL 1120* OR ENGL 1121* Cross-Current College Writing and Critical Reading
    OR College Writing and Critical Reading    		 4
    PSYC 1110 General Psychology 4
    Humanities/Fine Arts Elective (Goal Area 6)  3
    *Course has prerequisite - see course schedule or catalog description.
    ** BIOL 2113 and 2114 must be completed no more than seven years prior to admission and must be completed prior to PTAC 1010 Clinical Practice I.

  • 4 credits
    PTAC 2110* Physical Therapy Research I 1
    PTAC 2120* Physical Therapy Research II 1
    PTAC 2130* PTA Clinic 1
    PTAC 2170* Physical Therapy Seminars 1
    * Course has prerequisite - see course schedule or catalog description.

  • In 2018, the graduation rate for the Anoka-Ramsey PTA Program was 81.5%, in 2019 it was 96.8% and in 2020 it was 93.3% for a three-year average of 90.5%.

    For the graduating class of 2018, 100% of those who graduated and sought employment in physical therapy (full-time or part-time) were employed within one year following graduation. In 2019 96% of graduates who passed the licensing exam and were seeking employment are now working as a PTA. The job market was affected by the COVID pandemic and about 60% of students looking for employment as a PTA have found a part time or full-time position. The hope is that this will improve in 2021.

    Upon successful completion of the PTA program, graduates must pass the National Physical Therapy Licensing Exam (NPTE).

    Our graduates have been very successful on the PTA National licensing exam (NPTE).

    In 2018 our program's first-time pass rate was 90% and ultimate pass rate was 100%. In 2019 the first-time pass rate was 89.7% and the ultimate pass rate was 100%. In 2020, the first-time pass rate was 100%. A total of 76 graduates from those three cohorts have taken the exam. The mean scores have improved almost every year since 2008 and for  2018 the ultimate mean scale score was 675.1, in 2019 it was 686.7 and in 2020 it was  693.1. A score of 600 is required to pass the licensing exam. As you can see in the data below, students from our PTA Program score high above the national average.

     

    Graduation Years: 2018 - 2020

    Exam Level: PTA

    State: MN

    Date of Report: 11/16/2020

     

     

    Summary Performance for the School by Graduation Year

    Summary Performance for All U.S.-Accredited Candidates by Graduation Year

    Graduation Year

    Group

    Number of Candidates

    Number of Passing Candidates

    Pass Rate

    Mean Scale Score

    Confidence Interval of the Mean

    Pass Rate

    Mean Scale Score

    Standard Deviation Scale Score

    2020

     First Time

    27

    27

    100.0%

    693.1

    11.6

    85.8%

    661.6

    58.5

     Ultimate

    27

    27

    100.0%

    693.1

    11.6

    89.0%

    663.4

    56.8

    2019

     First Time

    29

    26

    89.7%

    681.7

    10.0

    84.0%

    656.1

    57.7

     Ultimate

    29

    29

    100.0%

    686.7

    8.9

    93.3%

    661.1

    52.7

    2018

     First Time

    20

    18

    90.0%

    669.6

    12.7

    84.0%

    656.0

    57.8

     Ultimate

    20

    20

    100.0%

    675.1

    11.7

    94.5%

    661.5

    52.1

     


    Scale Scores of 600 and above are passing.

  • View the Online Information Video (Double Click to Enlarge):

    • Licensed Physical Therapist Assistant

  • Successful completion of the Physical Therapy Assistant program at the Anoka-Ramsey Community College will meet the requirements for certification by the The Minnesota State Board of Physical Therapy. Certification by The Minnesota State Board of Physical Therapy is required by Minnesota as well as by some states to acquire a state license to practice the profession of Physical Therapy Assistant or for employment as a certified/licensed Physical Therapy Assistant. Anoka-Ramsey Community College highly recommends that you contact the appropriate state licensing board in the state or locality in which you wish to practice or be employed.

    State Board Licensing Contacts

     

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