Special Topics in Physical Therapy Syllabus for 2026-2027
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Instructor Information

Course Information

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Amarillo College Tutoring for Success Policy:

Tutoring for Success applies to any student whose overall performance in the course falls below 75%. The instructor will create the task in the Student Engagement Portal (Watermark) to direct the student to the appropriate tutoring service, which may be faculty- or SI-led, discipline-specific, and/or general. The tutoring service assigned, the due date for when the tutoring must be completed, and the amount of tutoring required are at the discretion of the instructor. Additionally, the task will alert the student’s success team. Students who do not fulfill the assigned tutoring task may be subject to program- and course-specific penalties that could result in a grade reduction and/or in not being allowed to progress in the course until the tutoring requirement has been satisfied.

Administrative Drop Policy

Students who do not attend class on or prior to the census date will be administratively dropped. Effective Fall, 2016

Student Withdrawal Procedures

Students who wish to withdraw from a course must complete all steps indicated on the Academic Withdrawal Request form by the course withdrawal deadline.

NOTE: Students who are attending Texas institutions of higher education, for the first time fall 2007 and later, may not withdraw from more than six courses during their academic career. This withdrawal limitation does not include dual credit or developmental classes (Senate Bill 1231 Rule 4.10.) For more information on Drop and Withdrawal Policies, please visit the Registrar's Office Web site.

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For-credit academic and workforce education courses offered at Amarillo College are limited to the course options available in the statewide inventory for two-year public institutions. Courses in the state-authorized lower-division Academic Course Guide Manual and Workforce Education Course Manual have specific descriptions that prescribe course content and may include specific student learning outcomes. The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) maintains and regularly updates these manuals. Amarillo College faculty and leaders ensure that these courses are aligned with THECB guidelines and evaluated based on student performance outcomes. Students enrolled in these courses are expected to engage with and learn course content. According to the AC Board of Regents Policy Manual, "faculty members are entitled to academic freedom in the conduct of research and teaching and are tasked with the associated responsibilities" (DGC). Students are entitled to academic freedom in the classroom, as well, and faculty "must not attempt to force on students a personal viewpoint and must at all times allow diversity of opinion" (Amarillo College Academic Affairs Manual).

Course

PTHA-1391-001 Special Topics in Physical Therapy

Prerequisites

Course Description

This course will cover advanced knowledge and skills within the scope of practice of the entry-level physical therapist assistant, particularly in the area of orthopedics. The focal point of the special topics covered in this course would concentrate on orthopedic knowledge, concepts, conditions, injuries, disorders, skills, and related physical therapy interventions relevant to the professional development of the physical therapist assistant. 

Student Resources Student Resources Website

Department Expectations

Occupational License Disclaimer

Notice to Students enrolled in an educational program for preparation of issuance of certain occupational licenses:

Students enrolled in an educational program in preparation for obtaining certain occupational licenses are potentially ineligible for such license if the student has been convicted of an offense. For further information, please contact:

Melodie Graves
Justice Involved Advocate
Student Service Center 117
mgraves24@actx.edu
806-371-5995
Make appointment at https://melodiegraves.youcanbook.me

Hours

(3 sem hrs 2 lec 3 lab)

Class Type

On Campus Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

Supplies

Laptop or tablet with Wi-Fi capability.

Student Performance

STATEMENT OF PURPOSE:

Successful completion of the Amarillo College PTA Program and achievement of a passing score on the National Physical Therapy Examination allows the graduate eligibility for licensure as a physical therapist assistant in all 50 states of the United States.

COURSE OBJECTIVES:

1. Analyze common orthopedic diagnoses, surgical procedures, pathologies, pain presentations, and co-morbidities and explain their effects on body structures, function, activity, participation, and physical therapy management.  (7D1, 7D3)

2. Classify patient problems using the ICF framework by identifying impairments of body structure and function, activity limitations, participation restrictions, and relevant contextual factors. (7D1)

3. Integrate knowledge of regional anatomy, joint structure, biomechanics, pathology, and tissue healing when selecting and progressing interventions within the physical therapist’s plan of care.  (7C1, 7D1,7D3)

4. Review and interpret relevant patient information and clinical data to determine readiness for treatment, identify precautions and contraindications, and select appropriate interventions within the physical therapist’s plan of care. (7C1, 7D1)

5. Design, implement, and appropriately progress or modify an orthopedic treatment session based on the physical therapist’s plan of care, current protocol,  current evidence, clinical data, patient goals, and the patient response.  (7C1, 7D1, 7D3)

6. Select and safely perform appropriate musculoskeletal and pain-management interventions, including therapeutic exercise, functional activities, and non-thrust peripheral joint mobilization, within the PTA’s scope of practice and established plan of care.  (7D3, 7D7)

7. Recognize adverse responses, red flags, changes in patient status, and situations requiring intervention modification, discontinuation, clarification, or communication with the supervising PT.  (7D1, 7D7)

8. Provide patient and caregiver education regarding orthopedic conditions, post-operative precautions, home programs, prevention, wellness, and self-management using teaching strategies appropriate to the learner’s needs.  (7C2, 7D6, 7D10)

9. Demonstrate culturally responsive and equitable clinical decision-making and communication by considering individual patient needs, cultural humility, social determinants of health, and potential barriers to participation and health outcomes.  (7C3, 7D6, 7D10, 7D11)

10. Accurately document orthopedic physical therapy interventions, patient responses, progress or lack of, and communication with the supervising PT according to legal, regulatory, and practice setting requirements.  (7D4)

Students Rights and Responsibilities

Log in using the AC Connect Portal

In order to receive your AC Connect Email, you must log in through AC Connect at https://acconnect.actx.edu .

If you are an active staff or faculty member according to Human Resources, use "Exchange". All other students, use "AC Connect (Google) Email".

Expected Student Behavior

TECHNOLOGICAL USE

Students will be required to bring a Wi-Fi compatible laptop for all PTHA coursework for testing and academic purposes. Students shall come prepared for lab and lecture with the laptop.

REQUIRED TUTORIAL SUPPORT

If the student scores below 75% on any course exam or practical, they are required to schedule a planning meeting with the course instructor.  At this meeting, the student will be expected to develop an action plan for successful completion of the course. This action plan should identify any areas of weakness in understanding course content and must include methods/strategies that will be used to correct the learning deficit. Failure to meet with the instructor or to complete the action plan may result in a 10-point deduction from the final course grade.  IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE STUDENT TO SCHEDULE THE MEETING WITH THE COURSE INSTRUCTOR AND TO COMPLETE THE ACTION PLAN.

As part of the action plan, the instructor may assign the student a task of attending general instructional tutoring from the Amarillo College Tutoring Center or program-specific tutoring from the designated peer/professional tutor. The student may be required to complete both types of tutoring. In addition to the Verification of Tutoring in the Student Engagement Portal, official verification of tutoring must be uploaded by the student into the appropriate course drop box.

LATE WORK/MAKEUP POLICY

Late work will not be accepted without written permission specifying a new due date from the course instructor following a written request by the student. Extensions of the due date are at the discretion of the course instructor. There will be no rescheduling of quizzes. Missed lecture or practical exams may be rescheduled under all the following conditions:  the student must request a makeup exam in writing; the student must provide verification of the reason the exam was missed; and written permission is received from the instructor. Granting permission or imposing any point penalty is at the instructor's discretion.  Makeup exams will be scheduled based on the availability of the instructor. If permission for a makeup exam is not granted, the student will receive a grade of “0”.

Exam grades or practical grades may be dropped at the discretion of the instructor. In the event a student fails to pass a practical exam, the student will be given the opportunity to retake the practical exam one time; however, the maximum earned grade will be 75.0%. Failure of a practical exam retake will result in an “F” in the course.

Grading Criteria

GRADE BREAKDOWN:

Quizzes, Assignments, and Participation: 5%

Lecture Exams: 35%

Practical Exams: 30%

Final Exam: 30%

GRADING SCALE:

• A = 100-92.0%

• B = less than 92-84.0%

• C = less than 84-75.0%

• F = less than 75%

• Important Note: You need a grade of C or better to successfully complete the Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) major.

Attendance

PTA PROGRAM ATTENDANCE POLICY

Regular attendance is necessary for satisfactory achievement. Therefore, it is the student's responsibility to attend class in accordance with the course requirements established by the instructor. (Amarillo College Student's Rights and Responsibilities Publication). Absences and tardiness will be monitored and evaluated in the Student Engagement Portal to determine a student's final course grade.

The instructor will take attendance for each class and note absences for each student.  Students are expected to be present for the entire class/lab time. Students must report any anticipated class/lab absence to the instructor.

An excused absence is granted at the discretion of the instructor. Verification documentation may be required. A period of extended absences may be considered for approval upon submission of a written request by the student. This will be determined by an ad hoc committee of the 3 faculty members.  

Following an absence, the student is responsible for obtaining missed notes, assignments, copies of handouts, etc. from classmates. The student is also responsible for obtaining any needed clarification of missed information from the course instructor.  After 2 absences in a course, the course instructor will implement an educational contract with the student.

If there is a period where remote access to classes is required because of public health situations, the attendance policies will be revised.

Calendar

Additional Information

Last Day to Withdraw from classes is November 24, 2026 by 11:59 pm