Associate of Applied Science | 74 credits including prerequisites
Allied Health Division
Jordan Campus JCHSC 059A
Program Information (801) 957-6200
Program Website
Academic and Career Advising
Academic Advising Jordan Campus, JHS 065, (801) 957- 6215
Health Science Admissions JHS 047, (801) 957-6253
Program Faculty
Professors − Ken Freeman, DPT; Diana Ploeger, PT, M Ed
Program Description
The Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) program provides both general and technical education. The Physical Therapist Assistant program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education.
The program consists of four semesters of physical therapist assistant coursework and labs in addition to the prerequisite courses. Upon successful completion, graduates are awarded an associate of applied science degree. Graduates are able to sit for the national examination for physical therapist assistants, which allows the individual to be eligible for licensure in states that require licensure to practice. To practice as a Physical Therapist Assistant in Utah, licensure is required.
Career Opportunities
The Physical Therapist Assistant is a health care provider working with individuals and their families under the supervision of a physical therapist in providing patient care by applying a variety of therapy treatments in a variety of health care settings. Treatment techniques include Therapeutic exercises, heat, cold, electrotherapy, hydrotherapy, traction, and massage. Health care settings include hospitals, extended care facilities, rehabilitation centers, out-patient clinics, sports medicine clinics, work hardening programs, schools and homes. The physical therapist assistant will be involved in modification of treatment programs, client/family education and discharge planning under the direction of a physical therapist.
Program Entry Requirements
ADMISSION PROCESS
- Be admitted to SLCC as a matriculated student.
- High School Graduate or equivalent.
- For transfer credit, submit OFFICIAL, SEALED transcripts for ALL colleges and universities where prerequisite course work has been completed.
- Also, a request to have an OFFICIAL evaluation of student’s transcript must be submitted to the SLCC Transfer Evaluation Office. The form is located at www.slcc.edu/transcriptevaluation/transferring-to-slcc. This process may take 4-6 weeks and must be completed before a student’s SLCC application will be considered.
- Complete Accuplacer exam, or submit current SAT/ACT test scores, if MATH and ENGL course work have not been transferred to SLCC, (required before you are able to register for classes that have MATH and RDG/WRTG courses as prerequisites).See: www.slcc.edu/testing/
- We will accept an AP score of 3 or higher for a prerequisite for admission into the program. However, this does not guarantee acceptance into the program. Please see the Physical Therapist Assistant academic advisor.
- Program course prerequisites are as follows:
- ALL prerequisites have a limit of two attempts
- BIOL 2320 /BIOL 2325 must be completed w/ a B or better taken within the last 5 years
- PTA 1010 and PTA 1500 must be completed w/ a B or better
- Remaining prerequisite courses must be completed with a C or better
NOTE: It is the student’s responsibility to examine each course description for details of other prerequisite classes. All prerequisite courses must be completed prior to submitting application for the Physical Therapist Assistant program.
PROGRAM-SPECIFIC APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS
Pre-admission exam - A minimum score of 77% is required for consideration for admission to the program. However, this does not guarantee admission into the program. Please see the Physical Therapist Assistant program academic advisor.
See the Physical Therapist Assistant webpage for essential information regarding completion of application requirements
http://www.slcc.edu/ptassistant/index.aspx
Estimated Cost for Students
Tuition per semester: www.slcc.edu/students-current/tuition-fees; $11,000 including tuition, fees, books, uniform, APTA membership.
Estimated Time to Completion
Students will follow the suggested semester schedule, time to completion for entire program is five semesters
Specialized Accreditation
The Physical Therapist Assistant Program at Salt Lake Community College is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education,1111 North Fairfax Street
Alexandria, VA 22314-1488, telephone: 703-706-3245; email: accreditation@apta.org; website: www.capteonline.org.
Program Objectives
See program website for detailed information on the Physical Therapist Assistant Program assessment outcomes www.slcc.edu/ptassistant
| Program Student Learning Outcomes |
Related College-Wide Student Learning Outcomes |
| |
1 - Acquire substantive knowledge
2 - Communicate effectively
3 - Develop quantitative literacies
4 - Think critically & creatively
5 - Become a community engaged learner
6 - Work in professional & constructive manner
7 - Develop computer & information literacy |
| 1. Program graduates demonstrate technological skills appropriate for entry-level employment as a physical therapist assistant. |
Acquiring substantive knowledge in field of their choice, developing knowledge and skills, thinking critically |
| 2. Program graduates demonstrate research skills appropriate to an entry-level physical therapist assistant. |
Thinking critically and developing quantitative literacies |
| 3. Program graduates demonstrate professionalism through behaviors consistent with the APTA Code of Ethics and state licensure regulations for physical therapist assistants. |
Developing knowledge and skills to be civically engaged |
| 4. Program graduates demonstrate skills in the use of current equipment consistent with the field of physical therapy. |
Developing knowledge and skills to be civically engaged |
| 5. Program graduates communicate clearly with physical therapy stakeholders in verbally and written formats. |
Communicating effectively |
