Physical Therapist Assistant, Associate in Applied Science

Associate in Applied Science | 74 credit hours minimum The Associate in Applied Science degree in Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) prepares graduates to work as a team to assist the physical therapists (PTs) to manage movement dysfunction and enhance physical and functional abilities. They provide physical therapy services under the direction and supervision of the PT to restore and promote optimal physical function, wellness, and fitness. The PTA assists the PT in the care of individuals of all ages to prevent the onset and progression of impairments, functional limitations, and disabilities that may result from diseases, disorders, or injuries. Students in the PTA program take general education courses, related science courses, and introductory PTA courses in the first year. During the second year of the program, students enroll in physical therapy didactic courses and clinical courses. Graduates are prepared to perform components of interventions and data collection as well as assess the patient's/client's safety and response to the interventions provided under the direction and supervision of the PT in an ethical, legal, safe, and effective manner. As a PT/PTA team, graduates are prepared to educate and communicate with patients, caregivers, and other healthcare providers with recognition of individual, cultural, and economic differences. Persons interested in this program should be service oriented and comfortable working with diverse people of all age groups in close one-to-one contact. They should enjoy physical activity and be patient and empathetic when instructing others. In addition, they should be able to meet the academic demands of a program that requires a commitment of time, energy, and motivation to learn. Admission to the program is contingent on meeting established minimum criteria available through the academic advising office and online at the program webpage. Students are also required to complete a health history, immunization record, physical exam, drug test, and criminal background check. The Physical Therapist Assistant Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education. Graduates of the program will be able to sit for the national licensure examination administered by the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy. Licensure is required in Missouri and most other states. Application to the program is selective. The prerequisites for application to the program are based on professional standards and include the following: Location. This program is offered in its entirety at Forest Park and Wildwood. Licensure. This program meets the educational requirements for state licensure in the following states: Missouri, Illinois, and California. Students interested in pursuing licensure in a different state should contact the program coordinator for more information. Cost of Attendance. For more information on cost of attendance visit MoSCORES. Program Career and Salary Information. Pursuant to Missouri HB 1606 (2018), information regarding the number of credit hours, program length, employment rate, wage data, and graduates employed in careers related to their program of study at St. Louis Community College can be found at the following URL: https://scorecard.mo.gov/scorecard/. Search using School / Program “St. Louis Community College” and choose the degree or credential type of interest. The following limitations to the data apply: Information provided is based on the most recent cohorts available. Typically, the most recent cohorts for wage and completion data are six years before the current academic year. The time to complete a program of study varies depending on the number of credit hours students earn per semester. Interested in this program? Start the enrollment process by visiting the Apply to STLCC page. Missouri Civics Examination. Students entering college for the very first time in fall 2019 and who intend to complete an associate’s degree must successfu