PHYSICAL THERAPIST ASSISTANT - FULL-TIME
DEGREE: Associate in Applied Science, Major in Physical Therapist Assistant
Florence-Darlington Technical College is collaborating with Greenville Technical College to offer the Physical Therapist Assistant program. All of the courses are taught at FDTC; however, the program is under the direction of GTC. Physical therapy is a health profession which involves direct patient care of individuals who experience temporary or permanent disability due to pain, injury, disease or birth defects. Job opportunities in hospitals and rehabilitation centers are excellent, especially if the graduate is willing to relocate. Working under the supervision of a physical therapist, the physical therapist assistant works to prevent pain and disability, relieve pain, promote healing, and improve function. Beginning students should have excellent verbal and math skills. This program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education.
One-Plus-One: The Physical Therapist Assistant curriculum is arranged as a One-Plus-One program. Phase I students take their general education requirements. Phase II covers the physical therapy content and may be completed full-time over 4 successive semesters or via an Extended Track option over 6 semesters. Clinical affiliations may be in South Carolina, North Carolina or Georgia. At the completion of the program, students are eligible to apply for state licensure. The student must pass this exam to practice as a physical therapist assistant.
PREREQUISITES FOR ENTRANCE
Required Courses
High School:
Algebra I, Biology
(Recommended: Chemistry, Physics)
College:
None
NOTE: A grade of "C" or better is required for each prerequisite course.
Other Requirements
- High School Diploma or GED
- Prior Experience/Observation - Attendance at Career Talk is required within first semester of Phase I.
- Minimum Cumulative GPA of 2.0
- Current CPR Certification by American Heart Association or American Red Cross
- Hepatitis B Immunization, Signed Informed Refusal or Titer
- MMR Immunization or Titer
- Chicken Pox Vaccination or Titer
- Two-step PPD / Chest X-Ray
- Medical Examination - Forms are provided by the college and should be current (within one year) and complete.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS | |||||||
General Education Courses |
|||||||
| Course | Class | Lab | Credit | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BIO | 210 | Anatomy And Physiology I | 3 | 3 | 4 | ||
| ENG | 101 | English Composition I | 3 | 0 | 3 | ||
| MAT | 120 | Probability And Statistics | 3 | 0 | 3 | ||
| PSY | 201 | General Psychology | 3 | 0 | 3 | ||
| XXX | XXX | Elective: Humanities/Fine Arts | 3 | 0 | 3 | ||
| 15 | 3 | 16 | |||||
Required Major Core Courses |
|||||||
| Course | Class | Lab | Credit | ||||
| PTH | 115 | Pathology for Physical Therapist Assistants | 3 | 0 | 3 | ||
| PTH | 118 | Physical Agents & Modalities | 3 | 3 | 4 | ||
| PTH | 226 | Therapeutic Exercises | 2 | 3 | 3 | ||
| PTH | 234 | Clinical Education I | 0 | 9 | 3 | ||
| PTH | 242 | Orthopedic Management | 3 | 3 | 4 | ||
| PTH | 246 | Neuromuscular Rehabilitation | 3 | 6 | 5 | ||
| PTH | 264 | Clinical Education II | 0 | 15 | 5 | ||
| PTH | 274 | Clinical Education III | 0 | 15 | 5 | ||
| 14 | 54 | 32 | |||||
Other Hours Required for Graduation |
|||||||
| Course | Class | Lab | Credit | ||||
| AHS | 102 | Medical Terminology | 3 | 0 | 3 | ||
| BIO | 211 | Anatomy And Physiology II | 3 | 3 | 4 | ||
| CPT | 170 | Microcomputer Applications | 3 | 0 | 3 | ||
| PSY | 203 | Human Growth and Development | 3 | 0 | 3 | ||
| PTH | 101 | Physical Therapy Professional Preparation | 2 | 0 | 2 | ||
| PTH | 102 | Introduction to Physical Therapy | 1 | 3 | 2 | ||
| PTH | 105 | Introduction to Kinesiology | 2 | 3 | 3 | ||
| PTH | 220 | Patient Assessment Techniques | 3 | 3 | 4 | ||
| PTH | 270 | Special Topics in Physical Therapy | 3 | 0 | 3 | ||
| SPC | 205 | Public Speaking | 3 | 0 | 3 | ||
| 26 | 12 | 30 | |||||
| Minimum Total Credit Hours: 78 | |||||||
SEMESTER CURRICULUM |
|||||||
SEMESTER 1 (Fall) |
|||||||
| Course | Class | Lab | Credit | ||||
| AHS | 102 | Medical Terminology | 3 | 0 | 3 | ||
| BIO | 210 | Anatomy And Physiology I | 3 | 3 | 4 | ||
| ENG | 101 | English Composition I | 3 | 0 | 3 | ||
| MAT | 120 | Probability And Statistics | 3 | 0 | 3 | ||
| PSY | 201 | General Psychology | 3 | 0 | 3 | ||
| 15 | 3 | 16 | |||||
SEMESTER 2 (Spring) |
|||||||
| Course | Class | Lab | Credit | ||||
| BIO | 211 | Anatomy And Physiology II | 3 | 3 | 4 | ||
| CPT | 170 | Microcomputer Applications | 3 | 0 | 3 | ||
| PSY | 203 | Human Growth and Development | 3 | 0 | 3 | ||
| SPC | 205 | Public Speaking | 3 | 0 | 3 | ||
| XXX | XXX | Elective: Humanities/Fine Arts | 3 | 0 | 3 | ||
| 15 | 3 | 16 | |||||
SEMESTER 3 (Fall) |
|||||||
| Course | Class | Lab | Credit | ||||
| PTH | 102 | Introduction to Physical Therapy | 1 | 3 | 2 | ||
| PTH | 105 | Introduction to Kinesiology | 2 | 3 | 3 | ||
| PTH | 115 | Pathology for Physical Therapist Assistants | 3 | 0 | 3 | ||
| PTH | 118 | Physical Agents & Modalities | 3 | 3 | 4 | ||
| 9 | 9 | 12 | |||||
SEMESTER 4 (Spring) |
|||||||
| Course | Class | Lab | Credit | ||||
| PTH | 101 | Physical Therapy Professional Preparation | 2 | 0 | 2 | ||
| PTH | 220 | Patient Assessment Techniques | 3 | 3 | 4 | ||
| PTH | 226 | Therapeutic Exercises | 2 | 3 | 3 | ||
| PTH | 234 | Clinical Education I | 0 | 9 | 3 | ||
| PTH | 270 | Special Topics in Physical Therapy | 3 | 0 | 3 | ||
| 10 | 15 | 15 | |||||
SEMESTER 5 (Summer) |
|||||||
| Course | Class | Lab | Credit | ||||
| PTH | 242 | Orthopedic Management | 3 | 3 | 4 | ||
| PTH | 246 | Neuromuscular Rehabilitation | 3 | 6 | 5 | ||
| 6 | 9 | 9 | |||||
SEMESTER 6 (Fall) |
|||||||
| Course | Class | Lab | Credit | ||||
| PTH | 264 | Clinical Education II | 0 | 15 | 5 | ||
| PTH | 274 | Clinical Education III | 0 | 15 | 5 | ||
| 0 | 30 | 10 | |||||
| Minimum Total Credit Hours: 78 | |||||||
PROGRAM AND EMPLOYMENT TIDBITS
Contact Person: Gregg Forlini
Waiting List: Yes
Local Starting Salary: $37,000.00
Local Average Salary: $41,000.00
National Starting Salary: $32,500.00
National Average Salary: $40,500.00