Physical Therapy
PHTA 100 INTRODUCTION TO PHYSICAL THERAPY
Fall, 2 credit hours
In this course, students are introduced and acclimated to the Physical Therapist Assistant program, and the physical therapy profession. Students are familiarized with the ICF Disablement Model and Patient/Client Management as a framework for guiding physical therapy practice. They receive introduction to a variety of practice settings and the team approach to rehabilitation. Students receive an introduction to the basic principles of medical terminology, physical therapy documentation, and reimbursement. Legal and ethical standards of conduct and the APTA’s Core Values are identified and discussed. Students begin developing a greater awareness of and appreciation for the values and differences of others through self-reflection.
Prerequisites: PHTA majors only
PHTA 101 FUNDAMENTAL PHYSICAL THERAPY SKILLS AND MODALITIES
Fall, 3 credit hours
In this course, students are introduced to basic physical therapy skills necessary for providing patient care across the continuum of physical therapy settings. Students develop competency in basic infection control procedures, data collection, bed mobility, transfers, gait training with assistive devices, wheelchair management, application of thermal modalities, and basic therapeutic exercise. Students develop professional communication and clinical problem-solving skills through weekly case study implementation.
Prerequisite: PHTA majors only.
PHTA 102 Clinical KINESIOLOGY
Spring, 3 credit hours
In this course, students study aspects of human motion beginning with the structure and functions of the skeletal, muscular, articular, and nervous systems, as well as concepts of arthrokinematics and biomechanics. The course focuses on application of knowledge of origins, insertions, actions and innervations of extremity and trunk musculature and palpable surfaces of the same as they relate to functional human movement. Students will apply this knowledge to analysis of the gait cycle and posture.
Prerequisite: Grade of C or better in BIOL 217, PHTA 100, PHTA 101
PHTA 103 MUSCULOSKELETAL PATHOLOGIES
Spring, 4 credit hours
Students are introduced to tissue healing in relation to musculoskeletal pathologies and their role in assisting the physical therapist with management of this patient population. The principles and techniques of therapeutic exercise are presented and related to specific musculoskeletal pathologies across the lifespan. The student will learn to apply a variety of exercise techniques when given the physical therapy plan and goals. There will be a focus on educating the patient and/or care giver throughout the course. Students will also begin to read and understand professional literature. Three hours lecture, three hours laboratory per week.
Prerequisites: Introduction to Physical Therapy (PHTA 100), Fundamental Physical Therapy Skills (PHTA 101), Clinical I (PHTA 104) and Human Anatomy and Physiology I (BIOL 217).
Corequisites: Kinesiology (PHTA 102), Musculoskeletal Pathologies (PHTA 103), Clinical II (PHTA 106) and Human Anatomy and Physiology II (BIOL 218), or permission of instructor.
PHTA 104 CLINICAL I
Spring, 4 credit hours
In this course, the student is assigned to a physical therapy clinical site where they work full time under the direct supervision of a licensed physical therapist or a registered physical therapist assistant. This provides the student with the opportunity to put the knowledge and skills acquired in the classroom and laboratory into practice in the clinical setting. A strong emphasis is placed on communication and professional behaviors.
Prequisites: PHTA majors only
PHTA 105 MUSCULOSKELETAL ASSESSMENT TECHNIQUES
Spring, 2 credit hours
In this course, students are introduced to data collection methods used to assist the physical therapist with assessment of the musculoskeletal system, including the role of the PTA in the assessment process. Students will develop skill in assessment of muscle strength and range of motion using goniometry and manual muscle testing. Students will be taught soft tissue mobilization techniques for assessment and treatment of common musculoskeletal impairments.
Prerequisites: PHTA 100, PHTA 101, BIOL 217
PHTA 203 PTA SEMINAR I
Fall, 2 credit hours
This seminar course allows second year PTA students to engage in activities and discussions to foster the development of the Core Values of the PT and PTA, building on concepts introduced in PHTA 100. Guest speakers, class assignments and group discussion as well as outside activities will promote students’ integration of the American Physical Therapy Association Core Values of accountability, altruism, collaboration, compassion/caring, duty, excellence, inclusion, integrity, and social responsibility, in preparation for culminating clinical experiences and clinical practice as a Physical Therapist Assistant.
Prerequisites: PHTA 104
PHTA 204 CARDIOPULMONARY AND INTEGUMENTARY PATHOLOGIES
Fall, 4 credit hours
In this course, students will apply musculoskeletal knowledge from the previous semester to amputee and prosthetic rehabilitation, and orthotics. Students will study the cardiovascular and pulmonary systems and related pathologies. Cardiopulmonary rehabilitation principles and management will be discussed and applied. Conditions of the integumentary system will be discussed with emphasis on physical therapy management of wounds and burns. Students will also receive an introduction to common conditions related to other body systems and their management from a physical therapy perspective. Other systems will include endocrine and metabolic, gastrointestinal, genital and reproductive, hematologic, hepatic and biliary, immune, lymphatic, renal and urologic.
Prerequisites: PHTA 104, BIOL 217, BIOL 218, or permission of instructor
PHTA 205 NEUROMUSCULAR PATHOLOGIES
Fall, 4 credit hours
In this course, students will study neuroanatomy as applied to peripheral and central nervous system disorders. Principles of neurological rehabilitation and management of patients with neurological conditions are discussed and applied. Students learn about normal motor development, theories of motor control, and motor learning as applied to the rehabilitation of patients with neuromuscular conditions.
Prerequisites: PHTA 104, BIOL 217, BIOL 281 or permission of instructor
PHTA 206 ADVANCED PHYSICAL THERAPY MODALITIES
Fall, 2 credit hours
Students will learn basic principles of electricity and electrotherapy. Application of electrotherapeutic agents for pain control, neuromuscular stimulation, and tissue/wound healing will be studied and applied. Students will be introduced to spinal traction as a therapeutic modality. Students will enhance their research skills by reviewing and critiquing current professional literature related to various course topics. One hour lecture, three hours laboratory per week.
Prerequisites: Successful completion of all coursework in the first two semesters of the PTA curriculum or permission of instructor. PHTA majors only.
PHTA 207 CLINICAL II
Spring, 6 credit hours
This clinical experience correlates with content taught in courses PHTA 100 through PHTA 206. The student is assigned to a physical therapy clinical site where they will work under the direct supervision of a licensed physical therapist or registered physical therapist assistant. This will provide the student with the opportunity to put the knowledge and skills learned in the classroom and laboratory into practice in a clinical setting. The PTA student will demonstrate clinical problem solving skills based on academic knowledge and previous lab and clinical experiences. This experience will take place during the fourth semester and will last six full time weeks.
Prerequisites: PHTA 203, PHTA 204, PHTA 205, PHTA 206
PHTA 209 CLINICAL III
Spring, 6 credit hours
This clinical experience correlates with content taught in courses PHTA 100 through PHTA 207. The student is assigned to a physical therapy clinical site where they will work under the direct supervision of a licensed physical therapist or registered physical therapist assistant. This will provide the student with the opportunity to put the knowledge and skills learned in the classroom and laboratory into practice in a clinical setting. The PTA student will demonstrate clinical problem solving skills based on academic knowledge and previous lab and clinical experiences. This experience will take place during the fourth semester and will last six full time weeks.
Prerequisites: PHTA 203, PHTA 204, PHTA 205, PHTA 206
Corequisites: PHTA 207
PHTA 210 PTA SEMINAR II
Spring, 2 credit hours
This course is designed to provide for the transition from the student role to the graduate role. Review of national exam material on a weekly basis throughout the semester will help to prepare students for the licensing exam. Students will participate in transitional activities by preparing employment documents, completing licensure paperwork, participate in a mock interview and sit for a mock national exam. Students will be required to submit a self-directed plan for career development and lifelong learning. A final advocacy project and reflective paper provide an opportunity for students to demonstrate their growth and preparation to effectively fulfill their role as an inclusive healthcare provider. A student/faculty conference is required for each student prior to graduation.
Prerequisites: PHTA 203, PHTA 204, PHTA 205, PHTA 206