Associate in Applied Science Degree - PHTA.AAS.C30

For program entry requirements, consult a KCC adviser, and also see "Information on Health Career Programs" or view the slide presentation. Save and/or print this fillable eligibility check sheet.

The Physical Therapist Assistant program prepares students to be entry-level physical therapist assistants who function effectively in an ever-changing healthcare environment. Pending accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), graduates will be eligible to take the national licensing examination.

This two-year Associate in Applied Science program consists of five consecutive semesters of classroom and clinical education with a strong emphasis on professional standards. As a cohort, students progress from classroom to clinical experiences in a variety of physical therapy settings. This degree typically is not designed for transfer.

PTA program degree requirements

Physical Therapist Assistant Major (14 courses)
Credit hours: 47

All courses must be completed with a minimum grade of C. PHTA courses must be completed in the order shown in the course sequence.

• * PHTA  1101 – Introduction to Healthcare
• * PHTA  1115 – PTA Fundamentals I
• * PHTA  1224 – Kinesiology
• * PHTA  1234 – PTA Fundamentals II
• * PHTA  2001 – Professional Standards of the PTA
• * PHTA  2043 – Pathology for the PTA
• * PHTA  2053 – Clinical Practicum I
• * PHTA  2164 – Orthopedics for the PTA
• * PHTA  2175 – PTA Fundamentals III
• * PHTA  2185 – PTA Fundamentals IV
• * PHTA  2293 – PTA Fundamentals V
• * PHTA  2224 – Clinical Practicum II
• * PHTA  2234 – Clinical Practicum III
• * PHTA  2201 – Current Issues in PT Practice

General Education (7 courses)
Credit hours: 24

Complete all four sub-requirements. All general education courses must be taken prior to or within the semester where they are shown in the course sequence.

1. Communications – 6 credit hours

•    * ENGL  1613 – English I
•    * SPCH  1553 – Introductory Speech

2. Laboratory Science – 12 credit hours

BIOL 2644 and BIOL 2654 must be completed with a minimum grade of C.

•    * BIOL  2644 – Anatomy & Physiology I - minimum grade C
•    * BIOL  2654 – Anatomy & Physiology II - minimum grade C
•    * PSCI 1514 - Introduction to Physical Science-Chemistry & Physics¹                                 

3. Social and Behavioral Science -3 credit hours

• * PSYC 1813 – Introduction to Psychology

4. Elective – 3 credit hours

• CHOOSE ONE IAI elective from communications, humanities, mathematics,  laboratory science, social and behavioral science (see Page 60); or complete HLTH 1513 - Nutrition or PHIL 2543 - Death and Dying.

Minimum credit hours required for completion: 71

*Course has prerequisite.
¹ May Substitute: CHEM 1504 - Basic Chemistry or higher college level chemistry AND PHYS 1514 - General Physics I or higher college level physics

Physical Therapist Assistant
Associate in Applied Science Degree

Suggested course sequence
PHTA courses must be taken in sequence. 

Fall semester first year

*ENGL	1613	English I	3 cr.hrs.
*BIOL	2644	Anatomy & Physiology I	4 cr.hrs.
*PSCI	1514	Introduction to Physical Science- Chemistry & Physics	4 cr.hrs.
*PHTA	1101	Introduction to Healthcare	1 cr.hrs.
*PHTA	1115	PTA Fundamentals I	5 cr.hrs.

Spring semester first year

*SPCH	1553	Introductory Speech	3 cr.hrs.
*BIOL	2654	Anatomy & Physiology II	4 cr.hrs.
*PSYC	1813	Introduction to Psychology	3 cr.hrs.
*PHTA	1224	Kinesiology	4 cr.hrs.
*PHTA	1234	PTA Fundamentals II	4 cr.hrs.

Interim and Summer term

*PHTA	2001	Professional Standards of the PTA	1 cr.hrs.
*PHTA	2043	Pathology for the PTA	3 cr.hrs.
*PHTA	2053	Clinical Practicum I	3 cr.hrs.

Fall semester second year

ELECTIVE		Elective	3 cr.hrs.
*PHTA	2164	Orthopedics for the PTA	4 cr.hrs.
*PHTA	2175	PTA Fundamentals III	5 cr.hrs.
*PHTA	2185	PTA Fundamentals IV	5 cr.hrs.

Spring semester second year

*PHTA	2293	PTA Fundamentals V	3 cr.hrs.
*PHTA	2224	Clinical Practicum II	4 cr.hrs.
*PHTA	2234	Clinical Practicum III	4 cr.hrs.
*PHTA	2201	Current Issues in PT Practice	1 cr.hrs.

Additional Program Information

Each student in this program must have a physical exam, criminal background check without disqualifying conviction, negative drug screen, and current CPR certification (American Heart Association, Health Care Provider). The cost of these requirements is the responsibility of the student.