Physical Therapist Assistant
The Amarillo College Physical Therapist Assistant Program takes two years to complete and leads to an associate’s degree that puts graduates to work in a variety of rewarding settings. AC graduates swiftly find career opportunities in outpatient physical therapy clinics, skilled nursing facilities, hospitals, rehabilitation centers, home-health agencies, schools, and sports and fitness facilities. Physical therapist assistants get great satisfaction out of helping patients and clients who have mobility challenges due to injury or disease.
What can you do with a Physical Therapist Assistant degree?
Physical therapist assistants work under the direction of supervising physical therapists and assist with therapies designed to improve mobility, relieve pain, prevent or limit permanent physical disability, and promote overall fitness and wellness. Patients may include accident victims and individuals with short- and long-term disabling conditions, such as low back pain, fractures, head injuries, arthritis, heart disease, and cerebral palsy.
Enter the Workforce with a Two Year Degree
| 1st Semester - Fall | |
|---|---|
| BIOL 2401 Human Anatomy and Physiology | 4 hrs |
| ENGL 1301 Composition I | 3 hrs |
| PTHA 1301 Profession of Physical Therapy | 3 hrs |
| PTHA 1405 Basic Patient Care | 4 hrs |
| PTHA 1413 Functional Anatomy | 4 hrs |
| 2nd Semester - Spring | |
| BIOL 2402 Human Anatomy and Physiology | 4 hrs |
| PTHA 1431 Physical Agents | 4 hrs |
| PTHA 2301 Essentials of Data Collection | 3 hrs |
| PTHA 2409 Therapeutic Exercise | 4 hrs |
| 3rd Semester - Summer | |
| PSYC 2314 Lifespan Developmental Psychology | 3 hrs |
| SPCH 1318 Interpersonal Communication -OR- SPCH 1315 Public Speaking -OR- SPCH 1321 Business and Professional Speaking |
3 hrs |
| PTHA 1321 Pathophysiology | 3 hrs |
| PTHA 1260 Clinical I | 2 hrs |
| 4th Semester - Fall | |
| PTHA 2305 Neurology | 3 hr |
| PTHA 2431 Management of Neurological Disorders | 4 hrs |
| PTHA 2435 Rehabilitation Techniques | 4 hrs |
| A course in Language, Philosophy, Culture/Creative Arts | 3 hrs |
| 5th Semester - Spring | |
| PTHA 2567 Practicum | 5 hrs |
| PTHA 2317 Issues in Health Care | 3 hrs |