Physical Therapist Assistant A.A.S.

Degree Requirements

Associate of Applied Science, Physical Therapist Assistant, Degree
Recommended Course Sequence: 69 Credits Required

Program Goals

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

1. Perform quality techniques (manual therapy, therapeutic exercise, balance and equilibrium, developmental techniques) utilizing interventions which have been researched, are evidence based and are founded on patient need.
2. Communicate with all members of the healthcare team, patients, caregivers, families, administrators, and payers in a culturally competent manner, including defensible documentation.
3. Demonstrate critical thinking and problem solving skills to provide appropriate and effective interventions for any patient population.
4. Adhere to federal and state legal practice standards and institutional regulations related to patient/client care and fiscal management.
5. Act in a manner consistent with the Standards of Ethical Conduct for the Physical Therapist Assistant and Guide for Conduct of the Physical Therapist Assistant.

Student Notices

* Must have a minimum grade of C

A minimum grade of C is required in all pre-clinical courses. Admission to the program is required before taking PTA courses. See the program admission requirements. Students intending to pursue bachelor’s or master’s study should take ENGL 102   for the Arts and Humanities or English Literature choice course. A Diversity course is also required and the recommended Arts and Humanities course.

All General Education requirements must be completed prior to or concurrently with PTA 231  . In recognition of the intensity of the program requirements, most PTA students choose to complete all non-PTA coursework prior to the beginning of the program. For information regarding the program or program requirements or if you have extensive education or experience, please contact the Program Director.

Certain Physical Therapist Assistant courses may not be transferable.

Diversity requirement: take a diversity-designated Arts and Humanities General Education   course. 

An Associate of Applied Science degree requires a minimum of 9 credits of 200-level courses.

Program Philosophy

Physical therapy is a systematic holistic treatment approach taking into consideration the origin, nature and prognostic expectations of physical dysfunction. The discipline is person-centered and demands active cooperation between the individual patient and therapist. The patient/therapist team should focus on assisting the patient to regain a maximum level of physical function consistent with changing perceptions of expectations and outcomes. Lastly, physical therapy goals are always developed in concert with patient needs and realistic rehabilitative prognosis. To this end, the Carroll Community College Physical Therapist Assistant program is a problem-solving based curriculum that invites modifications based on community needs and resources. In addition, the changing needs and experiences of participating students are addressed in program adjustments throughout the existence of the program.

Program Mission

The mission of the Carroll Community College Physical Therapist Assistant program is threefold. First, the program is committed to providing an atmosphere of shared accountability in the teaching/learning process between program students and faculty. Second, the program provides physical therapy services to the community consistent with the program philosophy described above. Finally, the program administration and instruction is committed to anticipating and addressing issues affecting the physical therapy community at the local, state and national levels.