Degree Requirements and Courses
Learn more about certificate and degree requirements, course content, recommended sequence, and schedule.
Physical Therapist Assistant AS Degree
Program Overview
To learn more about the program including accreditation, application process, enrollment criteria, and more, please visit the Physical Therapist Assistant Associate Degree Program website.
Core Courses & Program Sequence
Students in the PTA program will be required to successfully complete the following courses in progressive order in order to graduate and apply to take the licensure exam.
Prerequisites
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ANAT 1 | Human Anatomy | 5 Units |
| PHY 1 | Physiology | 5 Units |
| HEOC 11 | Medical Terminology | 3 Units |
| HEOC 1 | Intro to Physical Therapy Professions | 1 Unit |
| TOTAL | 14 Units |
Advisory: MATH 102 or MATH 14 with a grade of "C" or higher ENGL 1A with a grade of "C" or higher
Semester 1
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| PTA 1 | Physical Therapy Practice for the PTA | 2 Units |
| PTA 2 | Pathology | 3 Units |
| PTA 3 | Patient Care Skills Theory | 2 Units |
| PTA 3L | Patient Care Skills Lab | 1 Unit |
| PTA 4 | Clinical Kinesiology Theory | 2 Units |
| PTA 4L | Clinical Kinesiology Lab | 1 Unit |
| TOTAL | 11 Units | |
| Recommended Semester 1 GE Courses | ||
| Language and Rationality (English Composition): ENGL 1A College Composition |
3 Units | |
| Analytical Thinking: MATH 102 Intermediate Algebra OR MATH 14 Introduction to Statistics (recommended) |
MATH 102: 4 Units OR |
|
| Program and GE Course Units | 14-17 Units | |
Semester 2
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| PTA 5 | Therapeutic Exercise Theory | 2 Units |
| PTA 5L | Therapeutic Exercise Lab | 1 Unit |
| PTA 6 | Therapeutic Agents Theory | 2 Units |
| PTA 6L | Therapeutic Agents Lab | 1 Unit |
| PTA 20 | Clinical Practicum I (6 weeks, full-time) | 4 Units |
| TOTAL | 10 Units | |
| Recommended Semester 2 GE Courses | ||
| Social and Behavioral Sciences: ECE 1 Human Development OR PSYC 1A General Psychology |
3 Units | |
| Humanities: PHIL 7 Ethics: Understanding Right & Wrong OR PHIL 8 Logic |
3 Units |
|
| Program and GE Course Units | 16 Units | |
Semester 3
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| PTA 7 | Orthopedic Management Theory | 2 Units |
| PTA 7L | Orthopedic Management Lab | 1 Unit |
| PTA 8 | Neurology and Development Theory | 2 Units |
| PTA 8L | Neurology and Development Lab | 1 Unit |
| PTA 21 | Clinical Practicum II (6 weeks, full-time) | 4.5 Units |
| TOTAL | 10.5 Units | |
| Recommended Semester 3 GE Courses | ||
| Language & Rationality (Oral Communication): CMST 54 Small Group Communications |
3 Units | |
| Multicultural/Living Skills: PSYC 20 Cross Cultural Psychology OR PSYC 41 Cultural/Social Context of Childhood OR HLTH 6 Culture & Health |
3 Units |
|
| Program and GE Course Units | 16.5 Units | |
Semester 4
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| PTA 9 | Neurologic Management Theory | 2 Units |
| PTA 9L | Neurologic Management Lab | 1 Unit |
| PTA 10 | Advanced Procedures Theory | 2 Units |
| PTA 10L | Advanced Procedures Lab | 1 Unit |
| PTA 11 | Professional Integration | 2 Units |
| PTA 22 | Clinical Practicum III (6 weeks, full-time) | 4.5 Units |
| TOTAL | 12.5 Units | |
| Recommended Semester 4 GE Courses | ||
| None if all AS degree requirements met | ||
| Program and GE Course Units | 12.5 Units | |
Total Units
- PTA Core Units: 44 Units
- Total for AS Degree: 76 Units
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