Physical Therapist Assistant
Physical Therapist Assistant
Associate of Applied Science in Physical Therapist Assisting
- Overview
Physical Therapist Assistant Overview
People who work in the physical therapy field enjoy a certain type of gratification. They are often times privileged to help patients recover from serious injuries. Whether it’s back or neck issues, arthritis, neurological conditions, or just simply pains and strains, the rewards of helping someone regain their mobility is great.
What’s more, physical therapist assistants are in demand. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, employment of physical therapist assistants is expected to increase 46 percent from 2010 to 2020, much faster than the average for all occupations.*
At ECPI University’s College of Health Science, Medical Careers Institute (MCI), you earn an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Physical Therapist Assisting in just 1.5 years through MCI’s year-round program.
Commission on Physical Therapy Education
The Physical Therapist Assistant program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) at the following ECPI campuses: Newport News and Richmond/ Emerywood, Virginia. This is a programmatic accreditation by CAPTE, a specialized accreditation agency for qualified entry-level education programs for physical therapists and physical therapist assistants. For more information, visit www.capteonline.org.
- 1111 North Fairfax Street, Alexandria, VA, 22314
- Phone: 703-706-3245
- email: accreditation@apta.org
- Admissions and Outcomes Information
If needing to contact the program/institution directly, please call 757.490.9090 or email PTADirector@ecpi.edu.
*US Dept. of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2016-17 Edition
- Program Description
Medical Careers Institute’s physical therapist assistant program is designed to provide graduates with the knowledge required to work under the supervision of a Physical Therapist in the rehabilitation process. Curriculum focuses on a variety of areas including:
- Human anatomy
- Physiology
- Aging of muscles and bones as it relates to exercise and its impact on mobility, strength and coordination
Students also gain hands-on experience in the use of physical modalities such as heat, ice, ultrasound, traction, massage, and electrical stimulation to help decrease pain, increase motion, and improve function.
- Possible Career Track
Upon completion, graduates with an Associate of Science Degree in Health Science with a concentration in Physical Therapist Assisting could possibly pursue a career in a wide array of settings including:
- Rehabilitation
- Outpatient clinics
- Skilled nursing
- Extended care facilities
- Sports training facilities
- Hospitals
- Homes
- Schools
- Occupational environments
- Fitness centers
The Physical Therapist Assistant Program at ECPI University, School of Health Science, Medical Careers Institute – Newport News, VA Campus and Richmond, VA Campus (Emerywood/West End Location) is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) of the American Physical Therapy Association.
The Richmond, VA program is an expansion of the accredited parent PTA program at ECPI University, School of Health Science, Medical Careers Institute – Newport News, VA.
1111 North Fairfax Street, Alexandria, VA, 22314
Phone: 703-706-3245
email: accreditation@apta.org
website: www.capteonline.org
website: Admissions and Outcomes Information- Curriculum
Program Requirements
Core Curriculum
50 Semester credit hours
Course ID Course Name Credits PTA101 Professional Issues for the Physical Therapist Assistant 2 PTA105 Musculoskeletal 3 PTA111 Introduction to Physical Therapy 2 PTA120 Kinesiology for the Physical Therapist Assistant 3 PTA135 Rehabilitation I Assessment 2 PTA136 Rehabilitation II Therapeutic Modalities 3 PTA138 Rehabilitation IV Devices 2 PTA139 Rehabilitation III Therapeutic Exercise 3 PTA145 Medical & Surgical Conditions I 2 PTA146 Medical & Surgical Conditions II 2 PTA147 Medical & Surgical Conditions III 2 PTA206 Neurological Rehabilitation 3 PTA208 Rehabilitation IV Devices 2 PTA210 Motor Development & Aging 2 PTA212 Medical & Surgical Conditions III 2 PTA250 Clinical Internship I 4 PTA251 Clinical Internship II 4 PTA252 Clinical Internship III 8 PTA253 Clinical Internship IV 8 PTA275 Physical Therapist Assistant Preparatory 3 Arts and Sciences
20 semester credit hours
Course ID Course Name Credits BIO111 Anatomy & Physiology I w/Terminology 3 BIO111L Anatomy & Physiology I with Terminology LAB 1 BIO116 Anatomy & Physiology II with Terminology 3 BIO116L Anatomy & Physiology II with Terminology LAB 1 ENG110 College Composition 3 HUM205 Culture and Diversity 3 MTH131 College Algebra 3 PSY105 Introduction to Psychology 3 Self-Integration and Computer Literacy
4 semester credit hours
Course ID Course Name Credits COR191 Career Orientation 1 CIS115 Computer Applications 3 This program consists of 1,800 contact hours.
- Outcomes
- Prepare graduates for entry-level practice as physical therapist assistants who will work under the direction and supervision of a physical therapist in an ethical, legal, safe, and effective manner.
- Prepare graduates who are competent in the implementation of comprehensive treatment plans developed by the supervising physical therapist and prepare to effectively monitor and modify the plan of care within the knowledge and limits of practice and communicate with the supervising therapist in a timely manner regarding the patient's status .
- Provide a learning environment that recognizes individual differences and promotes caring behaviors in the health care community.
- Promote critical thinking skills to effectively address patient care problems and to adapt the rapidly changing challenges in healthcare and physical therapist assistant.
- Provide graduates with strong educational foundations for lifelong personal and professional growth
- Prepare graduates to take the national licensure exam.
Newport News Campus: Graduation rate for 2015 – 2017 is 83%. National Physical Therapy Exam for Physical Therapist Assistants pass rate 2015 – 2017 is: 97%. PTA graduates who sought employment that were employed within 6 months of passing the licensure exam for 2015 – 2017 is 95%.
Richmond West Campus: Graduation rate for 2015 – 2017 is 96%. National Physical Therapy Exam for Physical Therapist Assistants pass rate for 2015 – 2017 is: 99%. PTA graduates who sought employment that were employed within 6 months of passing the licensure exam for 2015 - 2017 is 99%.
The Physical Therapist Assistant Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), which requires the calculation of employment rates. These annual rates, as reported in the program’s Annual Accreditation Report (AAR), are calculated as the percentage of graduates who were employed as a Physical Therapist Assistant within 6 months of passing the licensure exam. This accreditor has established the employment rate threshold as the employment rate averaged over the most recent three years that is consistent with national trends as determined by annual reporting mechanisms. Therefore, this rate represents the program’s employment rate averaged over the most recent three years (graduating cohorts 2015 – 2017).
Important information about the educational debt, earnings, and completion rates of students who attended this program can be found by clicking here.
- Program Guide
Download Program Guide (439.83 KB)
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