Physical Therapist Assistant - AAS

St. Catherine University's physical therapist assistant (PTA) program prepares students to work as skilled clinical practitioners who perform physical therapy interventions and related duties under the direction of licensed physical therapists. PTAs perform interventions intended to help people of all ages recover physical function lost through diseases, injury or other causes.

St. Kate's physical therapist assistant program was the first of its kind in the nation and offers a careful blend of theory and practice for students to master physical therapy concepts and techniques.

As part of the educational process, students will have a variety of clinical experiences that may include acute care, skilled nursing facility/rehabilitative, or outpatient settings. The program has an extensive clinical network in the immediate Twin Cities area, the state and nationally. The PTA program and the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program are housed together, providing opportunities for collaborative learning through activities such as blended tutorial learning, cadaver lab reviews, joint service learning courses and joint co-curricular activities. These provide PTA and DPT students with invaluable learning of each others' roles in the clinical setting.

See also: Doctor of Physical Therapy (graduate catalog)

This major is offered in the College for Adults only.

In addition to the program-required courses, students must complete the LIFE general education core curriculum.

The A.A.S. PTA program requires a minimum of 63 credits.

Curriculum

Required Physical Therapist Assistant Courses (minimum grade of C required)
PTA 1400Physical Therapy Foundations3
PTA 1500Musculoskeletal System and Techniques I4
PTA 1550Neuromuscular System and Techniques I3
PTA 1600 Physical Therapy Interventions4
PTA 1700 Professional Practice and Societal Health Considerations4
PTA 2500Musculoskeletal System and Techniques II3
PTA 2550Movement System Integration2
PTA 2600 Neuromuscular System and Techniques II4
PTA 2700 Clinical Integration I4
PTA 2800 Inter-Clinical Seminar2
PTA 2900 Clinical Integration II4
Prerequisite to professional courses (minimum grade of C required) 1
BIOL 2400General Anatomy and Physiology with Lab 24
Supporting Courses (minimum grade of C- required) 1
BIOL 2420Human Disease2
PSYC 1000General Psychology4
PSYC 2020Lifespan Developmental Psychology4
PHIL 2440Biomedical Ethics4
Total Credits55
1

These courses, with the exception of PSYC 1000, must have been completed no more than five years prior to entering the University to be considered for transfer.

2

Must be completed during the first semester.