skip to main content
Catalog Menu

Associate of Occupational Science, Physical Therapist Assistant

Overview

Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP): 51. 0806 (Physical Therapist Assistant)

Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) Code: 31-2021.00 (Physical Therapist Assistants)

Quarter Credits: 96.0

Clock Hours: 1590

Method of Delivery: Blended

Number of Weeks: 80*

*Weeks May Be Extended Depending On Holiday Schedules

Career Training Objective

The Physical Therapist Assistant (Associate of Occupational Science) program prepares students to implement physical therapy treatment care plans, train patients, conduct treatment interventions, use equipment and observe and record patient progress. Physical Therapist Assistants work under the supervision of a physical therapist in a variety of settings including, but not limited to, ambulatory health care services, hospitals, school settings, federal and county health settings, occupational health settings, and residential care facilities for the elderly.

In the Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) program, students learn applied anatomy and physiology, applied kinesiology, principles and procedures of physical therapy, basic pediatric, developmental, and geriatric physical therapy principles, neurology and orthopedics, documentation skills, interprofessional communication, psychosocial aspects of healthcare, wound and integumentary care, modalities and electrotherapy, rehabilitation principles in orthotic and prosthetic management, personal and professional ethics, cultural competence and application in healthcare, and healthcare business and management principles and application. Correlated clinical experiences take place in the last two terms of the program.

The training program is divided into eight 10- week terms. General education courses and the PTA core courses are integrated throughout the program. The clinical practicum experience begins in term seven. Successful completion of clinical experiences in varied clinical settings under the supervision of a licensed physical therapist is required.

In the state of California, all applicants for PTA licensure must qualify for and pass the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) (Physical Therapist Assistant Examination) and the California Law Examination (CLE), which relates to the practice of physical therapy in California.

Completion of the program is acknowledged by the award of an Associate of Occupational Science degree. The Physical Therapist Assistant Program in Orange County is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA), (CAPTE 3030 Potomac Ave., Suite 100, Alexandria, Virginia 22305-3085; Phone: 703-706-3245; Email: accreditation@apta.org; Website: http://www.capteonline.org). If needing to contact the program/institution directly, please call (714) 763-9173 or email jLwin@americancareercollege.edu. Graduation from a CAPTE-accredited program is required for eligibility to sit for the licensing exam.;

The PTA program is designed to help students acquire the knowledge and training to be able to:

  1. Perform physical therapy skills and techniques in a safe, competent manner that minimizes risk to the patient, self and others.
  2. Demonstrate professional behavior at all times in the classroom and clinical environments
  3. Abide by professional legal and ethical standards as outlined by the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA).
  4. Provide competent physical therapy services by taking into consideration patients’ differences, values, preferences and needs.
  5. Demonstrate effective communication and be able to adapt to situational patient needs.
  6. Become competent, effective physical therapist assistants through continual self-assessment of knowledge, skills and behaviors.
  7. Demonstrate clinical problem solving when determining patient status, changes in patient status, patient data collection, and need for plan of care modification and or need for other services.
  8. Understand effective and appropriate documentation for physical therapy services.
  9. Manage resources by participating in the efficient delivery of PT services.

Instructional Equipment List

  • Anatomical charts and models
  • Balance trainer/board
  • Classroom Response System
  • Compression garments and pumps
  • Dynamometer, goniometer, gait belts
  • Electrotherapy equipment, cryotherapy, ultrasound
  • Instructional software resources to augment coursework
  • Pneumatic Motorized Arm & Wrist Blood
  • Pressure Kits
  • Projector, Computer & MonitorProsthetic and orthotic models
  • Pulse oximeter, thermometer, stop watch
  • Resistance equipment, bars, balls, bands
  • Sphygmomanometers & Stethoscope Kits
  • Stethoscopes, sphygmomanometer
  • Supplies for universal precaution
  • Training stairs, parallel bars and ramp
  • Transfer boards, tub/ benches, commode
  • Treadmill, exercise bicycle
  • Treatment tables, mats, bolsters
  • Video Camera
  • Wheelchair/ walkers/ canes

 

Program Outline

Program Locations: Anaheim and Ontario

General Education Courses

Course Number

Title

Clock Hours

Quarter Credits

ANAT200 Introduction to Anatomy and Physiology 20 2.0
ANAT200-L Introduction to Anatomy and Physiology Lab 40 2.0
ENGL100 Written Communications I 40 4.0
MATH100 College Mathematics I 40 4.0
PSYC100 Introduction to Psychology 40 4.0
 

Totals

180

16.0

Course Number: ANAT200

Title Introduction to Anatomy and Physiology
Clock Hours20
Quarter Credits 2.0

Course Number: ANAT200-L

Title Introduction to Anatomy and Physiology Lab
Clock Hours40
Quarter Credits 2.0

Course Number: ENGL100

Title Written Communications I
Clock Hours40
Quarter Credits 4.0

Course Number: MATH100

Title College Mathematics I
Clock Hours40
Quarter Credits 4.0

Course Number: PSYC100

Title Introduction to Psychology
Clock Hours40
Quarter Credits 4.0

TOTALS

Clock Hours

180

Quarter Credits

16.0

Core Courses

Course Number

Title

Clock Hours

Clinical Hours

Quarter Credits

ANAT208 Anatomy and Physiology for Rehab Professionals 20 0 2.0
ANAT208-L Anatomy and Physiology for Rehab Professionals Lab 40 0 2.0
PTA100 Introduction to PTA 20 0 2.0
PTA100-L Introduction to PTA Lab 40 0 2.0
PTA104 Professional Communications for the PTA 40 0 4.0
PTA211 Clinical Skills for the PTA 20 0 2.0
PTA211-L Clinical Skills for the PTA Lab 40 0 2.0
PTA215 Musculoskeletal I 20 0 2.0
PTA215-L Musculoskeletal I Lab 40 0 2.0
PTA216 Pathophysiology for the PTA 40 0 4.0
PTA220 Therapeutic Exercise I 20 0 2.0
PTA220-L Therapeutic Exercise I Lab 40 0 2.0
PTA224 Development & Rehabilitation Across the Life Span 40 0 4.0
PTA225 Musculoskeletal II 20 0 2.0
PTA225-L Musculoskeletal II Lab 40 0 2.0
PTA226 Physical Agents 20 0 2.0
PTA226-L Physical Agents Lab 40 0 2.0
PTA234 Principles of Rehabilitation 20 0 2.0
PTA234-L Principles of Rehabilitation Lab 40 0 2.0
PTA235 Neuromuscular 20 0 2.0
PTA235-L Neuromuscular Lab 40 0 2.0
PTA250 Clinical Practicum I 300 300 10.0
PTA240 Interprofessional Collaborative Practice & Cultural Competence in Healthcare 20 0 2.0
PTA241 Cardiopulmonary 10 0 1.0
PTA241-L Cardiopulmonary Lab 20 0 1.0
PTA242 PTA Law, Ethics & Professionalism 20 0 2.0
PTA245 PTA Clinical Competency Review 20 0 2.0
PTA245-L PTA Clinical Competency Review Lab 40 0 2.0
PTA255 Clinical Practicum II 300 300 10.0
PTA265 PTA Licensure Exam Review 20 0 2.0
 

Totals

1410

600

80.0

Course Number: ANAT208

Title Anatomy and Physiology for Rehab Professionals
Clock Hours20
Clinical Hours0
Quarter Credits2.0

Course Number: ANAT208-L

Title Anatomy and Physiology for Rehab Professionals Lab
Clock Hours40
Clinical Hours0
Quarter Credits2.0

Course Number: PTA100

Title Introduction to PTA
Clock Hours20
Clinical Hours0
Quarter Credits2.0

Course Number: PTA100-L

Title Introduction to PTA Lab
Clock Hours40
Clinical Hours0
Quarter Credits2.0

Course Number: PTA104

Title Professional Communications for the PTA
Clock Hours40
Clinical Hours0
Quarter Credits4.0

Course Number: PTA211

Title Clinical Skills for the PTA
Clock Hours20
Clinical Hours0
Quarter Credits2.0

Course Number: PTA211-L

Title Clinical Skills for the PTA Lab
Clock Hours40
Clinical Hours0
Quarter Credits2.0

Course Number: PTA215

Title Musculoskeletal I
Clock Hours20
Clinical Hours0
Quarter Credits2.0

Course Number: PTA215-L

Title Musculoskeletal I Lab
Clock Hours40
Clinical Hours0
Quarter Credits2.0

Course Number: PTA216

Title Pathophysiology for the PTA
Clock Hours40
Clinical Hours0
Quarter Credits4.0

Course Number: PTA220

Title Therapeutic Exercise I
Clock Hours20
Clinical Hours0
Quarter Credits2.0

Course Number: PTA220-L

Title Therapeutic Exercise I Lab
Clock Hours40
Clinical Hours0
Quarter Credits2.0

Course Number: PTA224

Title Development & Rehabilitation Across the Life Span
Clock Hours40
Clinical Hours0
Quarter Credits4.0

Course Number: PTA225

Title Musculoskeletal II
Clock Hours20
Clinical Hours0
Quarter Credits2.0

Course Number: PTA225-L

Title Musculoskeletal II Lab
Clock Hours40
Clinical Hours0
Quarter Credits2.0

Course Number: PTA226

Title Physical Agents
Clock Hours20
Clinical Hours0
Quarter Credits2.0

Course Number: PTA226-L

Title Physical Agents Lab
Clock Hours40
Clinical Hours0
Quarter Credits2.0

Course Number: PTA234

Title Principles of Rehabilitation
Clock Hours20
Clinical Hours0
Quarter Credits2.0

Course Number: PTA234-L

Title Principles of Rehabilitation Lab
Clock Hours40
Clinical Hours0
Quarter Credits2.0

Course Number: PTA235

Title Neuromuscular
Clock Hours20
Clinical Hours0
Quarter Credits2.0

Course Number: PTA235-L

Title Neuromuscular Lab
Clock Hours40
Clinical Hours0
Quarter Credits2.0

Course Number: PTA250

Title Clinical Practicum I
Clock Hours300
Clinical Hours300
Quarter Credits10.0

Course Number: PTA240

Title Interprofessional Collaborative Practice & Cultural Competence in Healthcare
Clock Hours20
Clinical Hours0
Quarter Credits2.0

Course Number: PTA241

Title Cardiopulmonary
Clock Hours10
Clinical Hours0
Quarter Credits1.0

Course Number: PTA241-L

Title Cardiopulmonary Lab
Clock Hours20
Clinical Hours0
Quarter Credits1.0

Course Number: PTA242

Title PTA Law, Ethics & Professionalism
Clock Hours20
Clinical Hours0
Quarter Credits2.0

Course Number: PTA245

Title PTA Clinical Competency Review
Clock Hours20
Clinical Hours0
Quarter Credits2.0

Course Number: PTA245-L

Title PTA Clinical Competency Review Lab
Clock Hours40
Clinical Hours0
Quarter Credits2.0

Course Number: PTA255

Title Clinical Practicum II
Clock Hours300
Clinical Hours300
Quarter Credits10.0

Course Number: PTA265

Title PTA Licensure Exam Review
Clock Hours20
Clinical Hours0
Quarter Credits2.0

TOTALS

Clock Hours

1410

Clinical Hours

600

Quarter Credits

80.0

Courses offered online.
Courses offered in a blended format, a combination of online and on ground.

TOTAL CREDIT HOURS: 96.0

Want to learn more about ACC? Please fill out the form:

By submitting this form, I provide my signature, expressly consenting to calls, prerecorded messages, emails and/or texts regarding my educational options from American Career College using an automated dialing system to the number and email address provided. I understand my consent is not required to enroll at American Career College, and that I can withdraw my consent at any time. To request information without consenting, please call 877-832-0790. I also understand that I may revoke my consent at any time in accordance with ACC's Opt-Out Disclaimer. All information provided is subject to ACC's Privacy Policy. (**Standard rates may apply.) Disclaimer I understand that if I no longer wish to receive text messages from ACC, I may revoke my consent at any time by texting back "Stop" to unsubscribe from the service. I understand that if I no longer wish to receive emails, I may revoke my consent at any time by clicking the "Unsubscribe" link within any email I receive from ACC. I understand I may revoke my consent to receive calls by informing any ACC associate calling me that I no longer want to receive calls from ACC.

*Required

Voted Best Career College in the 2024 Inland Valley Daily Bulletin Readers Choice Awards

Ontario Campus: Voted Best Career College in the 2024 Inland Valley Daily Bulletin Readers Choice Awards.

Voted Best Career College in the 2024 LA Daily News Readers Choice Awards.

LA Campus: Voted Best Career College in the 2024 LA Daily News Readers Choice Awards.

Voted Best Career College in the 2024 San Gabriel Valley Tribune Readers Choice Awards.

OC Campus: Voted Best Career College in the 2024 San Gabriel Valley Tribune Readers Choice Awards.

Scroll to the top
Call Us