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 1010 | Patient Handling Techniques | 2 |
| PTA 1020 | Physical Therapy Intervention Techniques | 2 |
| PTA 1040 | Musculoskeletal Anatomy and Measurement Techniques | 3 |
| PTA 1050 | Orientation to Physical Therapy/Role of the Physical Therapist Assistant | 2 |
| PTA 1170 | Foundation, Pathology and Application of Musculoskeletal Physical Therapy | 6 |
| PTA 1310 | Clinical Experience I | 2 |
| PTA 1350 | Healthcare Delivery System | 1 |
| PTA 2000 | Physical Therapy Intervention Techniques III | 8 |
| PTA 2010 | Introductory Concepts in Pediatric Physical Therapy | 1 |
| PTA 2020 | Concepts in Geriatric Physical Therapy | 1 |
| PTA 2100 | Clinical Experience II | 3 |
| PTA 2210 | Clinical Experience III | 3 |
| PTA 2260 | Learning and Service Through Immersion | 1 |
| PTA 2410 | Capstone Seminar and Project | 2 |
| Prerequisite to professional courses (minimum grade of C required) | ||
| BIOL 2400 | General Anatomy and Physiology with Lab 1 | 4 |
| Supporting Courses (minimum grade of C- required) 1 | ||
| BIOL 2420 | Human Disease | 2 |
| PSYC 1000 | General Psychology | 4 |
| PSYC 2020 | Lifespan Developmental Psychology | 4 |
| PHILXXXX | Healthcare / Biomedical Ethics | 4 |
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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.