Download ACADEMIC COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

JEFFERSON COLLEGE OF HEALTH SCIENCES
PHYSICAL THERAPIST ASSISTANT PROGRAM
ACADEMIC COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
Courses completed in 1st semester:
 General Education Courses:
Anatomy & Physiology I, Grammar & Composition I, Developmental Psychology, Introduction to
Microcomputers, Academic Seminar, Interdisciplinary/HPE elective

PTA 106 Basic Skills for the PTA
Basic patient care skills: transfers, fitting for assistive devices, PROM exercises; introduction to the medical
record and documentation, history of the profession, membership in the American Physical Therapy Association,
role and function of physical therapy personnel.

PTA 110 Integrated Sciences
Preparation for understanding the proper use of modalities and understanding therapeutic exercise principles.
Basic math skills and physics concepts relevant to physical therapy.
Courses completed in the 2nd semester:
 General Education courses:
Anatomy & Physiology II, Social Issues in Health Care, Ethical & Legal Decision Making

PTA 108L Clinical Assessment Skills
Instruction in monitoring patient response to activity, obtaining vital signs, use of tilt table, performing manual
muscle testing for muscle strength and goniometric measurements for joint range of motion.

PTA 150 Functional and Applied Anatomy
Understanding of human movement and the effect of pathologies on movement. Musculoskeletal anatomy,
joint structure and function, biomechanics, posture and gait analysis.
Courses completed in 3rd semester:
 PTA 161 Principles and Procedures of Physical Therapy I
Application of basic modalities used in physical therapy treatments: hot/cold applications, ultrasound, electrical
stimulation, traction, intermittent compression, hydrotherapy. Includes indications, precautions,
contraindications and normal/abnormal physiologic responses to their application.

PTA 201 Principles of Therapeutic Exercise
Normal and abnormal responses to exercise, exercise physiology and rehabilitation exercise program design and
implementation.
Courses completed in 4th semester:
 PTA 221 Psychosocial Aspects of Rehab for the PTA
Understanding of psychological reactions and behavioral changes seen in patients and their families
experiencing illness and disability. Effective interaction between the health care provider and patient is
emphasized.

PTA 203 Pathology for the PTA
Basic pathological processes that occur in the human body, implication for rehabilitation, potential emergency
or limitations on ability to participate in therapy.

PTA 235 Principles and Procedures of Physical Therapy II
Information and therapeutic techniques necessary to treat a wide variety of medical or surgical conditions,
considerations for the geriatric client, basic pharmacology. Includes wound/burn care, cardiac rehab,
prosthetics/orthotics.

PTA 236 Principles and Procedures of Physical Therapy III
Information and therapeutic techniques necessary to treat orthopedic conditions.

PTA 251C Clinical Education I
Courses completed in 5th semester:
 PTA 241 Pediatric Physical Therapy
Pediatric conditions, normal motor development, pharmacologically-affected child, cerebral palsy and a wide
variety of conditions specific to the infant through adolescent client.

PTA 242 Adult Neurological Rehabilitation
Common neurological pathology and appropriate physical therapy intervention. Includes stroke, spinal cord and
head injury rehabilitation as well as conditions such as multiple sclerosis and ALS.

PTA 285 Interdisciplinary Professional Seminar
Information on other health care disciplines, issues impacting physical therapy, cover letter and resume writing,
job interview skills and application and preparation for the PTA licensing exam.

PTA 252C Clinical Education II