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2020-2021 Catalog [PAST CATALOG]
Physical Therapist Assistant (A.A.S.)
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 Return to: Majors & Programs
Special Admission Requirements - Program Application Deadline: March 30*
Official Title of Major: Physical Therapist Assistant, A.A.S.
Award: Associate of Applied Science degree, A.A.S.
Code: AAS.PTA.PTA
Total Credit Hours: A minimum of 70
Learn more about the Physical Therapist Assistant Degree Program
Purpose: Prepares students to provide physical therapy services according to the plan of care developed by the physical therapist. The physical therapist assistant (PTA) administers direct patient care; teaches patients, families and other health care providers how to perform selected interventions; and provides desired psychosocial support to patients and their families. Physical therapist assistants are employed primarily in hospitals, rehabilitation centers, private practice, extended-care facilities and home health care settings. Graduates are eligible to take the National Licensing Examination for Physical Therapist Assistants. The CACHE Physical Therapist Assistant program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), 1111 North Fairfax Street, Alexandria, Virginia 22314; telephone: 703-706-3245; email: accreditation@apta.org; website www.capteonline.org.
The Physical Therapist Assistant program is administered by the Chesapeake Area Consortium for Higher Education (CACHE). Members of the consortium include Anne Arundel, Chesapeake College and the College of Southern Maryland. Students will complete their professional training at Anne Arundel Community College and their clinical practice rotations at local service areas when possible. Distance learning will be used as appropriate.
AACC cannot confirm whether the course or program meets requirements for professional licensure in states other than Maryland. If you plan to apply for licensure in a state other than Maryland, contact that state’s licensing board to determine whether the AACC course or program meets requirements for licensure in that state. If you need assistance finding contact information for your state, or if you need additional information regarding professional licensure, please contact the School of Health Sciences at 410-777-7310.
Additional Program Requirements
A grade of C or better in each physical therapist assistant and general education course is required to progress in the program. Students are expected to practice selected procedures on each other in the college laboratory.
Range of Occupations
- Physical therapist assistant (PTA)
Special Conditions
Health Manpower Shortage: This program of study may be designated a Health Manpower Shortage Tuition Reduction Program. This means that some residents of Maryland (see the Tuition, Fees and Payments section of this catalog) enrolled in this program of study by the first day of the term may be eligible for in-county tuition rates for courses required for program completion. It is the student’s responsibility to confirm that this program still maintains a Health Manpower Shortage Program status before enrolling. Please refer to the college’s Accounts Receivable Office to confirm this designation.
*If application deadline falls on a weekend, then applications will be accepted until the close of business on the next business day.
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Anne Arundel Community College and/or the School of Health Sciences reserves the right to revise requirements for admission into the Health Sciences programs, the selection criteria and procedures, and the required courses for programs of study as deemed necessary without prior notification.
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Entrance/Admission Requirements
Admission Requirements
- Attendance at a program information session is strongly recommended or call 410-777-7310 for schedule. Detailed information regarding program, profession, admission and academic requirements and selection criteria will be discussed.
- Submit a completed program application by the application deadline.
- Official high school transcript or official GED equivalency certificate to verify high school graduation or equivalency OR official transcript verifying an associate degree or higher from a nationally recognized institution. Official transcripts must be submitted to the Health Sciences Admissions/Advisement Office, FLRS 100, by May 1. You will not be selected if requirement is not met by the specified deadline.
- United States high school general chemistry (1 credit), CHE 011 (non-credit), or a college-level chemistry (CHE 111 or CHE 103 ) with a grade of C or better. If home schooled, the high school curriculum must be under a recognized umbrella organization with the supervision of a state-approved curriculum. AACC may require a course syllabus so that our chemistry department chair can review and approve the curriculum.
- Eligibility for ENG 101 / ENG 101A .
- Eligibility for MAT 137 .
- Must have a minimum adjusted grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 at this college.
- Foreign educated students: must have their college and high school transcripts evaluated by one of the following credential evaluators: ECE (Educational Credential Evaluators) at www.ece.org, WES (World Education Services) at www.wes.org or SpanTran: The Evaluation Company at www.spantran.com.
- Foreign educated students: must successfully pass the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) with a minimum score of 550 (213 is the equivalent computer score and 79 is the equivalent Internet based score) OR must have completed the ENG 101 / ENG 101A and ENG 102 course sequence with grades of C or better prior to applying to the Physical Therapist Assistant program. Anne Arundel Community College’s code for TOEFL is 5019.
Selection Criteria
Students will be admitted to the Physical Therapist Assistant course sequence each fall as the number of students permit. Applications received by the deadline will be assured consideration based on space availability. Applications received after the deadline will be considered on a space-available basis. Applications will be available in November in the Health Sciences office, Florestano Building Room 100 and on the college website. To be considered for conditional acceptance applicants must meet the following criteria:
- First consideration will be given to candidates whose resident address is in Anne Arundel County for at least three months prior to the application deadline date.
- Must satisfactorily complete all academic and admission requirements.
- Final selection for the Physical Therapist Assistant course sequence will be based on the criteria described in the PTA department admission requirements available on the program website and at program information sessions.
- Final acceptance into the program shall be contingent upon satisfactory completion of a criminal background check, health examination record and submission of current American Heart Association Basic Life Support (BLS) CPR certification card. Information and deadline for completion will be sent in applicant’s conditional acceptance packet. These are not to be completed prior to acceptance notification.
Technical Standards
Students who are conditionally accepted to this program of study will be required to submit a health examination record completed by a physician, nurse practitioner or physician assistant validating that the student meets the technical standard of good physical and mental health as established by the School of Health Sciences, and verifying that the student is free of communicable diseases as evidenced by required immunizations/titers.
CPR
Students must successfully complete the American Heart Association Basic Life Support (BLS) CPR certification course by designated deadline.
Criminal Background Check and Drug Screening
This program requires the satisfactory completion of a criminal background check and possible drug screening. For complete details, see the Health Sciences section of this catalog.
Readmission to the Physical Therapist Assistant Course Sequence
Students who leave or are dismissed from the Physical Therapist Assistant course sequence may address a written petition to the Physical Therapist Assistant Program Director for readmission to the Physical Therapist Assistant program. Readmission cannot be assured and is based on space available.
Planning Tool: Two-Year Sequence of Courses
Physical Therapist Assistant Course Sequence
All general education and physical therapist assistant courses must be completed with a grade of C or better and completed no later than what is listed in the required course sequence. Second Year - Spring Term
Diversity Requirement
Completion of the Physical Therapist Assistant Program satisfies the college’s diversity requirements.
Technology Requirement
Completion of the Physical Therapist Assistant Program satisfies the college’s technology requirements.
Wellness Requirement
Completion of the Physical Therapist Assistant Program satisfies the college’s wellness requirements.
Program Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:
- Assist a physical therapist in the delivery of selected interventions in an ethical, legal, safe and effective manner under the direction and supervision of a physical therapist, consistent with the standards of practice of the profession.
- Use critical thinking and problem solving skills to perform data collection, conduct tests and measures, and implement interventions, within the plan of care developed by the physical therapist.
- Teach patients, families and other health care providers selected treatment interventions and participate in discharge planning under the direction and supervision of a physical therapist.
- Provide psychosocial support to patients and families.
- Utilize effective communication skills when interacting with patients, families and other interprofessional team members.
- Be prepared to take the National Physical Therapy Examination for Physical Therapist Assistants.
This program aligns with all the college’s core competencies.
Notice to Students
Anne Arundel Community College is one of three Maryland community colleges which have formed a special consortium. The Chesapeake Area Consortium for Higher Education (CACHE) includes Anne Arundel, Chesapeake College and the College of Southern Maryland. Career and Educational Advancement Resources
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