Director of Physical Therapist Assistant
Jessica Niemann, PTA, M.Ed.
PH 402.552.2868
[email protected]
Introduction
The Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) is designed to elevate the clinical practice of graduates with advanced PTA skills, clinical decision-making, and holistic, multi-system care. Gradates will be prepared to use leadership skills to influence systemic change within the profession and their community. Designed as a degree completion program, PTA graduates can advance their Associates degree to a Bachelor degree with focused content for the PTA clinician. The program can be completed in as few as four (full time) or seven (
Program Specific Competency Goals
Upon completion of the Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Therapist Assistant, graduates will:
- Implement contemporary treatment plans and technologically advanced physical therapy interventions under the direction and supervision of a physical therapist. (Technology)**
- Display the ability to demonstrate sensitivity to cultural, ethnic, gender and lifestyle differences in patients across the lifespan and promote justice, equity, diversity, and belonging. (Diversity)**
- Creatively formulate advanced clinical
judgements and effectively translate advanced clinical theory into practice in order to meet the demands of a dynamic health care system and across the patient lifespan. (Critical Thinking)** - Assume leadership roles in the advancement of the profession by
participating one or more of the following areas: research, education, continuing education and service of a professional organization. (Professionalism)** - Exhibit good ethical judgment in
health care practice and demonstrate effective communication with all individuals. (Communication)** - Demonstrate advanced clinical practice skills through
implementation ofevidence based
**Categories denoted in the parentheses represent
Admission Policies
Enrollment in Clarkson College degree programs is limited through a selective admissions process. Admission policies and procedures are available from: the Admissions Department, College website or Academic Policies & Procedures section (AD-1).
Curriculum Requirements
Students must possess an Associate of Science (A.S.) or Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S) degree in PTA from an accredited PTA program, and must have completed Anatomy lecture and lab and Physiology lecture and lab prior to starting the Bachelor of Science in PTA degree completion program.
To earn the Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapist Assistant degree, students must successfully complete a total of 122 semester hours. Students receive 56 hours of direct transfer credits for the above-mentioned prerequisites. The remaining 66 hours are distributed as follows:
- General Courses = 12 semester hours
- Core Courses = 9 semester hours
- Concentration Courses = 30 semester hours
- PTA Major Courses = 15 semester hours
Service Requirements
Service reflects a holistic view that focuses on how individuals provide high quality, ethical and compassionate service in the field of
All students are required to complete designated service courses as a component of their program of study. Successful completion of service experiences is required to pass the designated service courses. Designated service courses are identified using the following symbol: ◊
Bachelor of Science in PTA Required Courses
The required courses for the
Multiple Degree Options
The multiple degree option is for students completing multiple degrees at Clarkson College. This option allows credits earned while completing the Associate of Science in Physical Therapist Assistant to be applied to a Bachelor's degree offered at Clarkson College; or credits earned while completing the Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapist Assistant to be applied toward another Bachelor's degree offered at Clarkson College.
- Multiple degree: Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Therapist Assistant/Bachelor of Science degree in Community Health
- Multiple degree: Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Therapist Assistant/Associate of Science degree in Physical Therapist Assistant
- Multiple degree: Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapist Assistant/Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Business
Required Courses for Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapist Assistant
Core Courses
9 semester hours
| Courses | Semester Hours |
|---|---|
| HCC Core - Healthcare Communication | 3 |
| HUM Core - Humanities | 3 |
| EEA Core - Ethics, Empathy, and Advocacy | 3 |
| Total Semester Hours | 9 |
General Courses
26 semester hours
| Courses | Semester Hours |
|---|---|
| IPE 301 - Interprofessional Education | 0 |
| ENG 101 - English Composition I | 3 |
| ENG 102 - English Composition II | 3 |
| MAT 310 - Statistics | 3 |
| PSY 101 - Introduction to Psychology | 3 |
| Total Semester Hours | 12 |
Leadership Concentration
| Courses | Semester Hours |
|---|---|
| BUS 375 - Concepts of Leadership | 2 |
| BUS 262 - Business Communication and Marketing | 3 |
| BUS 335 - Managing Healthcare Departments | 3 |
| PTA 307 - Outcome Measures & Reporting for the PTA | 3 |
| BIO 122 - Nutrition Science | 3 |
| PTA 351 - Organizational Leadership and Practice Integration | 1 |
| PTA 451 - Community Leadership and Practice Integration | 1 |
| Electives | 14 |
| Total Semester Hours | 30 |
| Electives: Choose 14 credit hours from the following courses: | Semester Hours |
|---|---|
| BUS 140 - Healthcare Delivery Systems | 2 |
| HIM 180 - Essentials of Pharmacology | 2 |
| BUS 420 - Long-Term Care Management | 3 |
| BUS 357 - Healthcare Accounting and Financial Management | 4 |
| BUS 318 - Human Resources and Organizational Behavior | 3 |
| Students can also choose any Community Health, General Education, or Psychology electives (credit hours vary) | |
| Total Semester Hours | 14 |
Pre-Physical Therapy Concentration
| Courses | Semester Hours |
|---|---|
| MAT 130 - College Algebra | 3 |
| BIO 110 - Fundamentals of Biology I - Lecture and Lab | 4 |
| BIO 111 - Fundamentals of Biology II - Lecture and Lab | 4 |
| CHM 150 - General Chemistry - Lecture and Lab | 4 |
| CHM 151 - General Chemistry II - Lecture and Lab | 4 |
| PHY 200 - Physics I - Lecture and Lab | 4 |
| PHY 205 - Physics II - Lecture and Lab | 4 |
| Electives | 3 |
| Total Semester Hours | 30 |
| Electives: Choose 3 credit hours from the following courses: | Semester Hours |
|---|---|
| PTA 307 - Outcome Measures & Reporting for the PTA | 3 |
| Total Semester Hours | 3 |
Other electives vary
Major Courses
22 semester hours