Physical Therapist Assistant - AAS

Recommended Track

Accelerated Track

Students may take these required courses in one semester. 

Clinical Sequence for Both Tracks

Total Credits: 76.5/82

Notations

1. Approximately 20 students are accepted for PTA courses each Fall semester from qualified students who have been assigned a “semester and year of validation.” See Validation Procedures in this catalog for the required process.
2. Prerequisite qualifications for validation are: (a) admission to Delta College, (b) official transcripts reflecting high school diploma or GED and all other colleges/institutions attended, (c) completion of validation courses with a “C” (2.0) minimum grade with the exception of BIO 140W  or BIO 152W /BIO 153W  or BIO 240 /BIO 241  which must be completed with a “B” (3.0) minimum grade and (d) completion of observation hours.
3. An observation series is required prior to validation. Students must observe, at a minimum, two different PTs or PTAs performing their skills in two different clinical practice sites for a minimum of 40 total hours. These observations must be documented using the PTA Observation Form which is available on the PTA program portal site and in the Counseling Office. The form must be stamped at the Registrar’s office at the time the validation application is turned in. Once the form has been stamped it must be turned in to the PTA Program Coordinator.
4. Students may complete the program in five (5) semesters by following the accelerated track and completing the required courses in one semester.  These students would then complete the second level ENG course and the LWA elective during the clinical course sequence.
5. The following courses are required to validate for the PTA program:  BIO 140W  or BIO 152W  /BIO 153W  or BIO 240  /BIO 241 , ENG 111 , PSY 101W  or PSY 211W , LW 220W .  Additionally, the following courses are required for the Associate Degree and completion is strongly recommended prior to starting the clinical course sequence: HSC 105 , COM 114W , ENG 112  or ENG 113 , POL 103W  , LWA.
6. Graduates of the Bay-Arenac ISD Career Center’s PT/OT/Sports Medicine program should contact the PTA program coordinator to discuss waiving the applicable validation requirements.
7. Students must have completed BIO 140W  or BIO 152W /BIO 153W  or BIO 240 /BIO 241  within the past ten years. If this time period is exceeded, an approved biology course must be taken to refresh this content. Please see the PTA Program Coordinator to determinewhich course(s) must be taken.
8. You will be eligible to attempt to register for clinical courses only after successfully completing the prerequisite qualifications and receiving a “Semester and Year of Validation” from the Registrar’s Office. You must attempt
   registration each year following validation until you are granted admission into the clinical portion of the program.
9. Upon admission to the program, you must complete the following health requirements: (a) physical exam with completion of the physical examination form, (b) proof of a negative TB test maintained throughout the program, (c) CPR certification for the healthcare provider maintained throughout the program, (d) proof of hepatitis B vaccination or signed waiver and (e) proof of current flu vaccination maintained throughout the program.
10. Criminal background checks are required to participate in clinical experiences. There is a fee for the criminal background check. Any student with a previous or current felony/misdemeanor conviction must inform the PTA Program Coordinator of said conviction. Students should be aware that a felony/misdemeanor conviction may constitute grounds for ineligibility to sit for the PTA licensure examination. Students should be aware that the current licensure application form now requires that a criminal background check including fingerprinting be completed. Questions regarding licensure can be found at http://www.michigan/gov/healthlicense
11. Students who anticipate pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree are recommended to take the following courses: BIO 152W  /BIO 153W , PSY 211W  and ENG 112  . If a student does not intend to transfer, ENG 113  is preferred.
12. Physical Therapist Assistant courses are offered day and evening hours and there may also be occasional weekend courses that are mandatory.
13. In addition to tuition, fees, and textbook costs, students should plan for the following expenses: appropriate lab and clinic attire, name tags, transportation costs to and from clinical sites and fees for state licensure and the national board exam.
14. You must achieve a minimum C (2.0) grade in each Physical Therapist Assistant course to be eligible to continue in the program.
15. You need to be aware that clinical hospital assignments may be outside the local area. Students must be prepared to commute up to two hours for at least one rotation.
16. Student Reentry Procedures are printed in the handbook given to all clinical students.
17. Also see “Dual Degrees.”