Course Descriptions

PTAC 1010 -- Clinical Practice I,   3 credits
Prerequisite: PTAC 1050, PTAC 1060, PTAC 1070, PTAC 1080, or permission of the program faculty
This course is a full-time clinical practice at an area health care facility chosen by the student and the ACCE. The student will function as a PTA student in the facility for four consecutive weeks and will be responsible for patient care compatible to the role of the PTA utilizing knowledge and skills developed in the first year of the program. The student will also be provided with learning experiences not available in the classroom, but unique to the clinical facility under the supervision of the clinical supervisor.


PTAC 1020 -- Musculoskeletal Anatomy and Kinesiology for the PTA,   4 credits
Prerequisites: Admission to the PTA Program
Study of the musculoskeletal system including the articulation system and the supporting structures are addressed, as well as muscles and muscle function in relation to human movement.


PTAC 1030 -- Introduction to Physical Therapist Assisting (Theory),   2 credits
Prerequisite: Admission to the PTA Program
This course covers basic patient handling and physical therapy skills. These would include body mechanics, posture, draping and positioning, transfers, joint range of motion, goniometry, ambulation with assistive devices, wheelchair operations, vital signs, edema control and sterile technique. Interpersonal communication skills, patient practitioner interactions and time management, medical, ethical, and legal issues are also discussed.


PTAC 1040 -- Introduction to Physical Therapist Assisting-LAB,   2 credits
Prerequisite: Admission to PTA program
The course covers basic patient handling and physical therapy skills. It includes lab practice of body mechanics, posture, draping and positioning, transfers, joint range of motion, goniometry, ambulation with assistive devices, wheelchair operations, vital signs, edema control and sterile techniques. A problem solving focus will be used throughout the program.


PTAC 1050 -- Modalities and Massage (Theory),   3 credits
Prerequisites: PTAC 1020, 1030, 1040, BIOL 2113 with a grade of C or better
The course covers further development of basic therapy skills. The components of this course include: modalities-superficial heat and cold techniques, deep heat therapies, hydrotherapy, ultrasound, the use of ultraviolet and infrared light, electrical muscle stimulation, iontophoresis, NEMS, TENS, biofeedback, diagostic tests to determine nerve involvement, and massage.


PTAC 1060 -- Modalities and Massage-LAB,   3 credits
Prerequisites: PTAC 1020, 1030, 1040 BIOL 2113 with a grade of C or better
This course covers further development of basic therapy skills with emphasis techniques and procedures. The components of this course include: modalities, ultrasound, hydrotherapy, superficial heat and cold techniques, deep heat therapies, electrical muscle stimulation, iontophoresis, NEMS, TENS, biofeedback, and massage techniques. Interpersonal communication skills, patient/practitioner interactions, and time management will be practiced.


PTAC 1070 -- Therapeutic Exercise Theory,   2 credits
Prerequisites: PTAC 1020, PTAC 1030, PTAC 1040, and BIOL 2113 with a grade of C or better
This course focuses on the study of therapeutic exercise rationale and the application to patients with various disabilities. Introduction to manual muscle and cardiovascular exercise testing as it relates to the role of the PTA with assisting the physical therapist in the evaluation process is addressed. Emphasis is on strengthening, range of motion, manual muscle testing, mobility, muscle reeducation, spinal traction, and time management for patient treatment. Study of normal and abnormal gait will be covered.


PTAC 1080 -- Therapeutic Exercise-LAB,   3 credits
Prerequisites: PTAC 1020, PTAC 1030, PTAC 1040, and BIOL 2113 with a grade of C or better
This course focuses on the study of therapeutic exercise rationale techniques and the application to patients with various disabilities. Emphasis is on strengthening, range of motion, manual muscle testing, mobility, muscle reeducation, spinal traction, and time management for patient treatment. Ambulation activities including measurement and fitting of assistive devices, gait patterns, and perambulation exercises will also be addressed. Clinical simulations will be done to prepare students for their clinical experience.


PTAC 1100 -- Communication and Documentation for the Physical Therapist Assistant I,   1 credit
Prerequisites: Admission to the PTA Program
This course takes an in depth look at the four components of the SOAP documentation format, including the legal guidelines, analysis and completion of effective written documentation for physical therapy treatment. Verbal communication skills, professionalism, and ethical issues with communication are also discussed and practiced.


PTAC 1110 -- Communication & Documentation for the Physical Therapist Assistant Part II,   1 credit
Prerequisites: PTAC 1100, PTAC 1020, PTAC 1030, and PTAC 1040
Recommended Skills, Abilities, or Coursework: College level reading and writing.
This course continues to practice the SOAP documentation format and introduces other types of written documentation used in clinical settings. Progression of documentation in the clinical chart and creation of patient education materials will be practiced. Resume' writing, interview skills, effective verbal communication skills, professionalism, and ethical issues with communication are also discussed and practiced.


PTAC 2000 -- Musculoskeletal Disorders,   3 credits
Prerequisites: BIOL 2114, PTAC 1070, and PTAC 1080
This course covers the study of the pathophysiology of selected musculoskeletal conditions. Discussion of the treatment approaches as it pertains to physical therapy, radiology, and medication will be included.


PTAC 2010 -- Neuroanatomy and Functional Rehabilitation Theory,   3 credits
Prerequisites: PTAC 1010, PTAC 1050, PTAC 1060, PTAC 1070, PTAC 1080, and BIOL 2114 with a grade of C or better
This course discusses the anatomy and physiology of the nervous system including the pathological conditions that result from injury or disease of the nervous system. Specific conditions covered are stroke with resulting hemiplegia, traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, and various other neurological diseases. Other topics include the psychosocial aspects of disability, cognitive and psychological effects related to various conditions, and ethical issues related to research and treatment of these injuries and diseases. Critical thinking and problem solving approach is required to understand these disease processes and treatment rationales.


PTAC 2015 -- Neuroanatomy and Functional Rehabilitation-LAB,   2 credits
Prerequisites: PTAC 1050, PTAC 1060, PTAC 1070, PTAC 1080, and
BIOL 2114 with a grade of C or better
This lab course focuses on instruction in specific treatment techniques used for muscle re-education, motor learning to regain functional independence, normalization of muscle and gait training for the patient with injury or disease of the nervous system. Treatment techniques will be for patients with stroke, traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury and various neurological diseases such as Multiple Sclerosis and Parkinson's Disease. The following rehabilitation techniques will be practiced: Neurodevelopmental Technique (NDT), Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF), Brunnstrom and Rood inhibition and facilitation techniques through the progression of postures, as well as objective balance assessment, and techniques using the Swiss ball. Patient/practitioner interaction, interpersonal communication skills, professionalism, documentation and time management will be emphasized during patient simulated skills tests. Students will work in small groups to develop a research paper and oral presentation about a neurological disease not previously discussed in the course.


PTAC 2020 -- Clinical Practice II-LAB,   3 credits
Prerequisites: PTAC 1070, PTAC 1080, PTAC 2000, or permission of the program director
This course is a clinical practice at an area health care facility chosen by the student and the ACCE. The student will function as a PTA student in the facility for four consecutive weeks, full days. The student will be responsible for patient care compatible to the role of the PTA utilizing knowledge and skills developed in the program. The student may have an opportunity to advance his/her level of skill in the competencies experienced in Clinical Practice I affiliation to a more independent basis, depending on the type of affiliation.


PTAC 2040 -- Special Topics I,   3 credits
Prerequisites: PTAC 2000, PTAC 2010, and PTAC 2015
This course includes study of specialty areas of physical therapy including amputations, orthotics, prosthetics, work hardening, and geriatrics, and the role of the PTA in the rehabilitation process. Application of principles and techniques in the classroom and laboratory of each specialty area are included. Prepare and present a geriatric interview assignment. Resume writing, interview techniques and employment seeking information will be discussed. Licensure laws and national examination materials will be covered.


PTAC 2050 -- Special Topics II,   4 credits
Prerequisites: PTAC 2000, PTAC 2010, and PTAC 2015
Study of specialty areas in physical therapy including cardiac rehabilitation, pulmonary therapy, burn management and pediatrics as they pertain to the role of the physical therapist assistant. Review of the anatomy and physiology of the cardiac, pulmonary and integumentary systems is included. Students will prepare a sophomore research project on a topic selected by the student and approved by the instructor. They will write a research paper and do an oral presentation. Insurance reimbursement will be discussed including Medicare, Medicaid and other third-party payers. Licensure, medical, ethical and legal issues will also be discussed.


PTAC 2060 -- Clinical Practice III,   3 credits
Prerequisites: Successful completion of all program and program-required general education courses up to clinical practice III, or permission of the program faculty.
The course is a full-time clinical practice at an area health care facility chosen by the student and the ACCE. The student will function as a PTA student in the facility for four consecutive weeks, full days. The student will be responsible for patient care compatible to the role of the PTA utilizing knowledge and skills developed in the program. The student may have an opportunity to advance his/her skills level in the competencies experienced during Clinical Practice I and II to an independent level within the role of the PTA, depending on the competencies offered by the affiliation.


PTAC 2299 -- Independent Study,   1 credit
Prerequisite: Two courses in PTAC successfully completed.
Designed to offer the student the opportunity to do extensive reading or research on a specific topic in physical therapy.