Physical Therapist Assistant

Degree(s):

• Physical Therapist Assistant, AAS

The course of study for a physical therapist assistant (PTA) is a two-year program, leading to an associate of applied science degree. One class is accepted each year into the PTA program, which starts in the fall semester. The five-semester program includes one summer semester for a total of 69 credit hours. The program is designed to prepare skilled health care workers to perform treatment under the direction of a licensed physical therapist and includes didactic learning, skill development in the lab and clinical training. The treatments include thermal and electrical modalities, rehabilitation techniques, therapeutic exercise and patient education. Clinical facilities will require students to successfully pass a certified background check and may require a screening for drug usage. Graduates are prepared for employment as PTA’s in acute care hospitals, rehabilitation centers, outpatient clinics, school systems, home health agencies and other places physical therapy is practiced. On completion of the program, graduates must pass the licensing exam administered by the Texas State Board of Physical Therapy Examiners in order to practice.

The general education core will transfer to a variety of colleges and universities. For more specific information and to obtain the recommended sequencing of courses, contact the program director or a college counselor.

Admission Criteria:

In addition to the general admission requirements of the North Harris Montgomery Community College District, the following are requirements that must be met in order to apply for admission to the PTA program:

1. College entry level ability in mathematics and English, as required by the North Harris Montgomery Community College District. For further information, contact any of the Student Development offices.
2. A grade point average (GPA) of at least 2.0 in high school and/or college.
3. Must have completed at least 40 hours of exposure to the field under the direction of a licensed physical therapist or physical therapist assistant. This requirement may be met by work, volunteer or observation experience.
4. Regulations require that prior to patient contact, the student must have completed the Hepatitis B immunization series which is received over a 3 - 6 month period

It is recommended that students complete as many of the general education core courses as possible prior to application to the PTA program. BIOL 2401, Human Anatomy & Physiology I, and PTHA 1201, The Profession of Physical Therapy, must be completed with grades of “C” or better prior to admission into the program. Additionally, BIOL 2401 must be completed within the last 7 years.

Applications for admission will be received during the spring semester before the program starts. Because admission to the program is competitive, the students who will be accepted are most likely to be those who score highest on the criteria established by the admissions committee including, but not limited to, the following:

1. have completed a number of the general education core courses in the degree plan and
2. have the highest grades in these courses;

In order to practice as a physical therapist assistant (PTA), a person must be licensed by the Texas Board of Physical Therapy Examiners. To take the PTA licensing exam, a person must be a graduate of a PTA educational program which is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education. The PTA program at Montgomery College is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education.

For more information, contact the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education, 1111 North Fairfax Street, Alexandria, VA 22314-1488, 703.684.2782, www.apta.org.

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