Physical Therapist Assistant - Associate Degree
Physical therapist assistants assist the physical therapist in providing therapeutic interventions to patients and clients to prevent, minimize or eliminate physical impairments and activity limitations. Examples include instruction in therapeutic exercise, gait training, education in posture and body mechanics, application of electrical stimulation and other physical modalities, and hands on techniques such as massage and soft tissue mobilization. Additional job responsibilities include carrying out operational functions that ensure a healing environment in the work setting, making modifications within the scope of the established plan of care, and performing documentation and assessments. Most states including Wisconsin require a license to practice as a physical therapist assistant. As a graduate of this program, you are eligible to take the National Physical Therapist Examination (NPTE) for physical therapist assistants through the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT).
Delivery
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Program Costs & Financial Aid
Tuition: $12,754, Books: $1,016, Supplies: $300
This program is fully eligible for financial aid.
Estimates based on in-state residency. Please visit the following URL to learn more about tuition and fees for this program. https://www.nwtc.edu/admissions-and-aid/paying-for-college/tuition-and-fees?ProgramCode=105241
Requirements for Program Entry
- For instructions on how to get started, download the application checklist for this program.
Program Outcomes
- Demonstrate clear and collaborative communication with patients, families, and health care team.
- Exhibit behaviors and conduct that reflect respect and sensitivity according to physical therapy practice standards.
- Function under the supervision of a physical therapist in a safe, legal, ethical manner to ensure the safety of patients, self, and others throughout the clinical interaction.
- Produce documentation to support the delivery of physical therapy services.
- Demonstrate critical thinking skills to implement and modify treatment within a plan of care under the direction and supervision of a physical therapist.
- Perform data collection essential for carrying out the plan of care under the direction and supervision of the physical therapist.
- Perform technically competent, evidence-based physical therapy interventions under the direction and supervision of the physical therapist.
- Educate patients, families, and other health providers.
- Integrate components of operational and fiscal practices of physical therapy service in a variety of settings.
- Implement a self-directed plan for career development, credentialing, and lifelong learning.
Accreditation
The Physical Therapist Assistant Program at Northeast Wisconsin Technical College is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) 3030 Potomac Ave., Suite 100 Alexandria, Virginia 22305-3085 Telephone: 703-706-3245; Email: accreditation@apta.org; Website: http://www.capteonline.org. If needing to contact the program/institution directly, please call Leah Smejkal at 920-498-6270 or email: Leah.Smejkal@NWTC.EDU.
Curriculum
Students following the study plan below will complete the Physical Therapist Assistant associate degree in the number of semesters shown.
Summer Before First Semester
First Semester
8 Week 1
8 Week 2
Full Semester
Second Semester
8 Week 2
Full Semester
Summer Before Third Semester
Third Semester
8 Week 1
8 Week 2
Full Semester
Fourth Semester
8 Week 1
8 Week 2
- Curriculum Note: Students must earn a "C" or higher in all 10-524-XXX courses. A student who withdraws or receives a grade lower than a "C" in a program course may apply for re-entry into the program. Consideration for re-entry will be at the discretion of the re-entry team and will be dependent on clinical availability.
- Students must earn a "B" or higher in General Anatomy & Physiology. A student who withdraws or receives a grade lower than a "B" in this course may apply for re-entry into the program. Consideration for re-entry will be at the discretion of the re-entry team and will be dependent on clinical availability.
- The credit for 10-890-101, College 101 is an Institutional Requirement for graduation. Consequently, it is not part of the program credit requirements, but must be passed with a "C" or better.
Course Descriptions
Overview of the human anatomy/physiology using a body-systems approach, emphasizing the interrelationships between form/function at the gross and microscopic levels. (Prerequisite: C or better in Lab-based Chemistry OR 2 semesters lab-based high school chemistry w/C or better; AND Next Gen Rdg score greater/= to 263; OR ACT Rdg score greater/= to 17; OR prep courses-contact academic advisor at 920-498-5444)
Course Typically Offered: Summer Fall SpringStudents gain skills that lead to success in college, employment, and life. Students should take this course in their first semester. (Pre-requisite: None.)
Course Typically Offered: Summer Fall SpringIntroduces the history and development of the physical therapy program, legal and ethical issues, the interdisciplinary health care team, and professional communication skills. (Prerequisite: Admission to the Physical Therapist Assistant program)
Course Typically Offered: FallThis course focuses on developing effective listening techniques and verbal and nonverbal communication skills through oral presentation, group activity, and other projects. The study of self, conflict, and cultural contexts will be explored, as well as their impact on communication. (Prerequisite: Next Gen Rdg score greater/equal to 250 AND Writing score greater/equal to 237; OR ACT Rdg score greater/equal to 16 AND English score greater/equal to 16; OR preparatory course-contact an academic advisor at 920-498-5444)
Course Typically Offered: Summer Fall SpringAn introduction to basic skills and physical therapy interventions performed by the physical therapist assistant. (Prerequisite: Admission to the Physical Therapist Assistant program)
Course Typically Offered: FallIntroduces basic principles of musculoskeletal anatomy, kinematics, and clinical assessment. Students locate and identify muscles, joints, and other landmarks of the lower quadrant in addition to assessing range of motion and strength. Integrates analysis of gait. (Prerequisite: Admission to the Physical Therapist Assistant program; Pre-requisites: 10-806-177, General Anatomy & Physiology; 10-524-139, Patient Interventions; 10-524-140, Professional Issues 1)
Course Typically Offered: FallThe nature and variety of groups; inequality, race and ethnicity; family, population, social integration, and change; collective behavior; politics, economics, religion, education, and the effects of technology. (Prerequisite: Next Gen Rdg score greater/equal to 250 AND Writing score greater/equal to 237; OR ACT Rdg score greater/equal to 16 AND English greater/equal to 15; OR 10-831-107, College Reading and Writing with a B or better)
Course Typically Offered: Summer Fall SpringApplies basic principles from PTA Kinesiology 1 to the axial skeleton and upper quadrant including location and identification of muscles, joints and other landmarks. Assess range of motion and strength of the axial skeleton and upper quadrant. Integrates analysis of posture. (Prerequisites: 10-806-177 General Anatomy & Physiology, 10-524-139 PTA Patient Interventions, 10-524-156, PTA Applied Kinesiology 1; 10-524-140, PTA Professional Issues 1)
Course Typically Offered: SpringProvides instruction on the implementation of a variety of therapeutic exercise principles. Learners implement, educate, adapt, and assess responses to therapeutic exercises. (Prerequisites: 10-806-177, General Anatomy & Physiology; 10-524-156, PTA Applied Kinesiology 1; 10-524-140, PTA Professional Issues 1; 10-524-139 PTA Patient Interventions)
Course Typically Offered: SpringDevelops the knowledge and technical skills necessary to perform numerous therapeutic modalities likely to be utilized as a PTA. (Prerequisites: Admission to the Physical Therapist Assistant program; 10-806-177 General Anatomy & Physiology, 10-524-139, PTA Patient Interventions; 10-524-140, PTA Professional Issues 1; 10-524-156 PTA Applied Kinesiology 1; Corequisite: 10-524-157, Applied Kinesiology 2)
Course Typically Offered: SpringLearners develop knowledge/skills in planning, organizing, writing, editing. Students will also analyze audience/purpose, use elements of research, format documents using standard guidelines, and develop critical reading skills. (Prerequisite: High school GPA greater/equal to 2.6; OR ACT Reading score greater/equal to 16 AND English greater/equal to 18; OR Next Gen Reading score greater/equal to 250 AND Writing score greater/equal to 260; OR "preparatory course(s)", contact academic advisor at 920-498-5444)
Course Typically Offered: Summer Fall SpringThis science of psychology course is a survey of multiple aspects of behavior and mental processes. It provides an overview of topics such as research methods, theoretical perspectives, learning, cognition, memory, motivation, emotions, personality, abnormal psychology, physiological factors, social influences, and development.. (Prerequisite: Cumulative GPA of 2.6 or greater OR satisfactory reading and writing assessment scores OR 10-831-107, College Reading and Writing 1 with "B" or better OR Corequisite: 10-831-102, English Comp Prep).
Course Typically Offered: Summer Fall SpringDevelops a working knowledge of pathologic processes by examining the most common disorders associated with various systems of the body. Emphasis is placed on pathogenesis, etiology and recognition of signs and symptoms. (Prerequisite: 10-524-142, PTA Therapeutic Exercise; 10-524-143 PTA Biophysical Agents; 10-524-157 PTA Applied Kinesiology 2; Corequisite: 10-524-147 PTA Clinical Practice 1)
Course Typically Offered: SummerProvides a part-time clinical experience to apply foundational elements, knowledge, and technical skills pertinent to physical therapy practice. (Prerequisites: 10-524-142 PTA Therapeutic Exercise, 10-524-143 PTA Biophysical Agents, 10-524-157 PTA Applied Kinesiology 2)
Course Typically Offered: Summer Fall SpringDevelopmental Psychology is the study of human development throughout the lifespan. This course explores developmental theory and research with an emphasis on the interactive nature of the biological, cognitive, and psychosocial changes that affect the individual from conception to death. Application activities and critical thinking skills will enable students to gain an increased knowledge and understanding of themselves and others. (Prerequisite: Next Gen Rdg score greater/equal to 250 AND Writing score greater/equal to 237; OR ACT Rdg score greater/equal to 16 AND English greater/equal to 15; OR 10-831-107, College Reading and Writing with a "B" or better).
Course Typically Offered: Summer Fall SpringThis course introduces the study of diversity from a local to a global perspective using a holistic, interdisciplinary approach that encourages exploration and prepares students to work in a diverse environment. The course introduces basic diversity concepts, examines the impact of bias and power differentials among groups, explores the use of culturally responsive communication strategies, and compares forces that shape diversity in an international context. (Prerequisite: Next Gen Rdg score greater/equal to 250 AND Writing score greater/equal to 237; OR ACT Rdg score greater/equal to 16 AND English greater/equal to 15; OR 10-831-107, College Reading and Writing with a B or better.)
Course Typically Offered: Summer Fall SpringIntegrates concepts of neuromuscular pathologies, physical therapy interventions, and data collection in patient treatment. (Prerequisites: 10-524-142, PTA Therapeutic Exercise; 10-524-147, PTA Clinical Prac 1; 10-524-157, PTA App Kinesiology 2; 10-524-139, PTA Patient Interventions; 10-524-143 PTA Biophysical Agents; 10-524-105 PTA-Pathology Concepts; Corequisite:10-524-145, PTA Princ of Musculo Rehab)
Course Typically Offered: FallIntegrates concepts of musculoskeletal pathologies, physical therapy interventions, and data collection in patient treatment. (Prerequisites: 10-524-142, PTA Therapeutic Exercise; 10-524-147, PTA Clinical Practice 1; 10-524-157, PTA Applied Kinesiology 2; 10-524-143 PTA Biophysical Agents; 10-524-105 PTA-Pathology Concepts)
Course Typically Offered: FallIntegrates concepts of cardiopulmonary and integumentary pathologies, physical therapy interventions, and data collection in patient treatment. (Prerequisites: 10-524-139 PTA Patient Interventions;10-524-142, PTA Therapeutic Exercise; 10-524-147 PTA Clinical Practice 1; 10-524-157, PTA Applied Kinesiology 2; 10-524-143 PTA Biophysical Agents; 10-524-105 PTA-Pathology Concepts)
Course Typically Offered: FallProvides another part-time clinical experience to apply foundational elements, knowledge, and technical skills required of the entry level physical therapist assistant in various practice settings. (Prerequisites: 10-524-144 PTA Principles of Neuromuscular Rehab, 10-524-145 PTA Musculo Rehab, 10-524-146 PTA Management of Cardiopulmonary & Integumentary Conditions ;Corequisites: 10-524-147, PTA Clinical Practice 1, 10-524-151 PTA Clinical Practice 3)
Course Typically Offered: SpringIncorporates professional development, advanced legal and ethical issues, healthcare management and administration, and further development of professional communication strategies. (Prerequisites: 10-524-140, PTA Professional Issues 1, 10-524-144 PTA Principles of Neuromuscular Rehab, 10-524-145 PTA Musculo Rehab, 10-524-146 PTA Cardio & Integ Mgmt; Corequisite: 10-524-148, PTA Clinical Practice 2)
Course Typically Offered: SpringProvides a full-time clinical experience to apply foundational elements, knowledge, and technical skills required of the entry level physical therapist assistant in various practice settings. (Prerequisites: 10-524-144, PTA Principles of Neuromuscular Rehab; 10-524-145, PTA Principles of Musculoskeletal Rehab; 10-524-146, PTA Management of Cardiopulmonary & Integumentary Conditions; Corequisites: 10-524-150 PTA Professional Issues 2; 10-524-148, PTA Clinical Practice 2)
Course Typically Offered: SpringA capstone course that integrates concepts of pathology, physical therapy interventions and data collection across the lifespan. The PTA's role in health, and physical therapy interventions for special patient populations. (Prerequisites: 10-524-144, PTA Principles of Neuromuscular Rehab; 10-524-145, PTA Principles of Musculoskeletal Rehab; 10-524-146, PTA Management of Cardiopulmonary & Integumentary Conditions; Corequisite: 10-524-148, PTA Clinical Practice 2)
Course Typically Offered: Spring