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
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required Physical Therapist Assistant Courses (minimum grade of C required) | ||
| PTA 1400 | Physical Therapy Foundations | 3 |
| PTA 1500 | Musculoskeletal System and Techniques I | 4 |
| PTA 1550 | Neuromuscular System and Techniques I | 3 |
| PTA 1600 | Physical Therapy Interventions | 4 |
| PTA 1650 | Movement System Integration | 2 |
| PTA 1700 | Professional, Practice, and Societal Health Considerations | 4 |
| PTA 2500 | Musculoskeletal Systems and Interventions II | 3 |
| PTA 2600 | Neuromuscular System and Techniques II | 4 |
| PTA 2700 | Clinical Integration I | 4 |
| PTA 2800 | Inter-Clinical Seminar | 2 |
| PTA 2900 | Clinical Integration II | 4 |
| Prerequisite to professional courses (minimum grade of C required) 1 | ||
| BIOL 2400 | General Anatomy and Physiology with Lab 2 | 4 |
| Supporting Courses (minimum grade of C- required) | ||
| BIOL 2420 | Human Disease | 2 |
| PSYC 1000 | General Psychology | 4 |
| PSYC 2020 | Lifespan Developmental Psychology | 4 |
| PHIL 2440 | Biomedical Ethics | 4 |
| Total Credits | 55 | |
- 1
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.