Overview
Physical Therapy is a field of healthcare that utilizes the application of physical agents, therapeutic exercise, and activities in the treatment and restoration of human bodily function. The Physical Therapist Assistant program prepares students to provide direct patient care, utilizing physical therapy treatments in a variety of department settings under the supervision of a licensed physical therapist. Graduates of the program are eligible to take the national licensure examination. PTA students can be accepted into the College in the Fall, Spring, or Summer semesters. PTA course sequencing begins only in the Fall for the full time course sequence (day classes) and January for the part time course sequence (evening classes).
Application Requirements
Acceptance into the Physical Therapist Assistant Program is dependent upon the following :
- Completed Harcum College application (Apply Online!)
- Official copy of high school transcript
- Official copies of all college transcripts (if applicable)
- Completion of Algebra I and II, Geometry, Biology (with lab) with earned grades of C or higher
- Minimum combined SAT score of 900 and minimum GPA of 2.5. For students with college credits, a minimum college GPA of 2.5 and a written essay describing how the applicant would define physical therapy, how the applicant decided to become a physical therapist assistant, and how the applicant sees her/himself practicing in the field of physical therapy in the future
- TOEFL scores (for students for whom English is a second language)
- It is recommended that applicants complete a minimum of 20 hours of volunteer or work experience in a physical therapy department
- All application documents must by submitted to the Admissions Office. The Admissions Committee will only review completed application files.
- It is recommended that the student meet with the Program Director of the PTA program prior to entering the program (complete an interview).
Application Deadlines:
- The priority deadline for the part-time evening program (January start only) is November 15
- The priority deadline for the daytime program (September start only) is April 15
Program Requirements are as follows:
- A maximum of 30 credits of general education coursework may be transferred from another institution.
- No prior PTA courses will be accepted from another institution (exceptions are granted on a case-by-case basis per PTA policy).
- Prior to or during the student's first semester, a child abuse clearance and criminal history background check must be completed successfully (both should show a clear record). Clearances must be successfully completed in order to proceed to PTA 101 and clinical affiliations. Students may be unable to complete requirements for graduation and/or obtain a license to practice based on results of these background checks.
- Accepted students must demonstrate math proficiency and complete the college placement examination in English and reading above the developmental level. Students without the prerequisites are required to complete preparatory coursework before admission to the program. This will increase the number of semesters to complete the program.
- Once accepted to the program, students are required to have a physical examination, chest x-ray, PPD test, hepatitis B vaccine, proof of current CPR certification and proof of medical insurance.
- Students must complete 20 hours of community service throughout the duration of the program.
- PTA students must maintain a minimum grade point average of 2.0 throughout the program.
- PTA students must earn a grade of C or higher in BIO 103, BIO 104, and a C or higher in all PTA courses.
- Failure (grade of C- or lower) of any two Physical Therapist Assistant courses will result in dismissal from the program.
- Students must take all PTA courses in the sequence in which they are offered. Failure to do so will result in an increase in the number of semesters required to complete the program.
- Class attendance is mandatory for all PTA lectures, labs and clinical affiliations.
- PTA Policies and Procedures (per PTA Policy and Procedure Manual) are binding.
Essential Functions
Clinical Experiences
All PTA students will participate in a clinical partnership prior to the start of their affiliations. This student/client clinical partnership will introduce the PTA students to the exploration of physical therapy practice and the integration of professional behaviors in a structured healthcare facility. This partnership will allow the students to begin to develop critical thinking, problem-solving, and clinical decision making skills during their academic coursework. Students are responsible for their own transportation to and from the facility(ies). Students participate in three clinical affiliations which are assigned by the Clinical Coordinator of Education, as follows: PTA 150 for four weeks at the end of the junior year and PTA 250 and 251 for eight weeks, each at the end of the senior year. Grading for all clinical affiliations is on a pass/fail basis. Clinical affiliations PTA 250 and 251 must be completed within 18 months of completion of the didactic coursework.
The clinical sites include acute care hospitals, rehabilitation centers, nursing homes, sports medicine facilities, and other medical facilities. A clinical instructor from the clinical site's physical therapy staff supervises all clinical affiliations. The travel distance for the student for each clinical affiliation will be dependent on the location of each clinical site assigned. The PTA program does not guarantee any minimum or maximum travel distances. The clinical affiliations are full-time (40 hours per week) and follow the facilities' business hours. The clinical affiliations are full time, typically during the day, including those affiliations for the students completing the coursework in the part time/evening division. Students must successfully complete each affiliation prior to continuation in the PTA program.
Program Accreditation and Outcomes
The Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education accredits this program. Although many of these courses may be transferred for college credit, the Physical Therapist Assistant program is not intended to prepare students to enter a masters-level or doctorate-level physical therapy program. Graduates are eligible to sit for the national board examination for the physical therapist assistant. Students can review the outcomes results for the PTA Program at www.fsbpt.org or www.apta.org
Course Sequence: Full Time Division
Summer Session
| MTH 113 |
College Mathematics |
3 cr. |
| BIO 103 |
Human Anatomy & Physiology I |
4 cr. |
| AHS 101 |
Medical Terminology |
1 cr. |
|
|
|
|
|
8 cr.
|
First Semester
| ENG 101 |
Composition I |
3 cr. |
| BIO 104 |
Human Anatomy & Physiology II |
4 cr. |
| IDS 101 |
Harcum Colloquium |
1 cr. |
| PTA 109 |
Functional Anatomy |
2 cr. |
| PTA 110 |
Introduction to Physical Therapy |
2 cr. |
| PTA 111 |
Foundation Principles |
2 cr. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
14 cr.
|
Second Semester
| ENG 102 |
Composition II |
3 cr. |
| PSY 111 |
Intro to Psychology |
3 cr. |
| PTA 101 |
Clinical Partnership II |
2 cr. |
| PTA 112 |
Physical TherapyI/Electrophysiology |
4 cr. |
| PTA 114 |
Applied Kinesiology |
4 cr. |
| CIS 106 |
The Worldwide Web & Beyond |
1 cr. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
17 cr.
|
Summer Session
| PTA 150 |
Clinical Affiliation I |
3 cr. |
| PSY 158 |
Psychology of Disabilities |
3 cr. |
| -or- |
|
|
| DIV |
Diversity Elective |
3 cr. |
|
|
6 cr.
|
|
|
|
Third Semester
| HUM |
Humanities Elective |
3 cr. |
| PTA 212 |
Selected Topics II |
2 cr. |
| PTA 218 |
Pathophysiology |
4 cr. |
| PTA 220 |
Therapeutic Exercise |
4 cr. |
| PTA 230 |
Rehabilitation |
4 cr. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
17 cr.
|
Fourth Semester
| PTA 240 |
Clinical Seminar |
1 cr. |
| PTA 250 |
Clinical Affiliation II |
6 cr. |
| PTA 251 |
Clinical Affiliation III |
6 cr. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
13 cr.
|
Total Number of Credits: 75
Course Sequence: Part Time Division
*Required Pre-Requisite Courses (must be completed prior to initiating the PTA course sequence and can be completed the prior summer)
|
IDS 101
|
Harcum 101* |
1 cr. |
| AHS 101 |
Medical Terminology*
|
1 cr.
|
| BIO 103 |
Anatomy & Physiology I* |
4 cr. |
| BIO 104 |
Anatomy & Physiology II* |
4 cr. |
| MTH 113 |
College Mathematics* |
3 cr. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
13 cr.
|
Spring Semester I
|
PTA 109
|
Functional Anatomy |
2 cr. |
| PTA 110 |
Introduction to PT
|
2 cr.
|
| PTA 111 |
Foundation/Principles of PT |
2 cr. |
| CIS 106 |
Worldwide Web(weekend) |
1 cr. |
| PSY 111 |
Intro. to Psychology |
3 cr. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
10 cr.
|
Summer I
|
PTA 112
|
PT I & Electrophysiology |
4 cr. |
| ENG 101 |
English Composition I
|
3 cr.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
7 cr
|
Fall Semester I
|
PTA 114
|
Applied Kinesiology |
4 cr. |
| ENG 102 |
English Composition II
|
3 cr.
|
| PTA 101 |
Clinical Partnership I |
2 cr. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
9 cr.
|
|
Winter Semester I(Jan. 2-30 approx.)
|
PTA 150
|
Clinical Affiliation I(full-time day) 3 cr. |
|
Spring Semester II
|
PTA 218
|
Pathophysiology |
4 cr. |
| DIV/PSY 158 |
Psychology of Disabilities
|
3 cr.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
10 cr.
|
Summer Session II
|
PTA 220
|
Therapeutic Exercise |
4 cr. |
| HUM |
Elective
|
3 cr.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
7 cr.
|
Fall Semester II
|
PTA 230
|
Rehabilitation |
4 cr. |
| PTA 212 |
Selected Topics in PT
|
2 cr.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6 cr.
|
Spring Semester III
|
PTA 240
|
Clinical Seminar |
1 cr. |
| PTA 250 |
Clinical Affiliation II(full-time day)
|
6 cr.
|
| PTA 251 |
Clinical Affiliation III(full-time day) |
6 cr. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
13 cr.
|
Total Credits: 75 PTA Program Public Comment Policy The Physical Therapist Assistant Program at Harcum College engages regular monitoring of program functions consistent with College protocol and the accreditation standards as set forth by CAPTE (the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education). We welcome the comments, suggestions, ideas, and constructive criticism of the public. The Grievance / Due Process policies (Harcum College Catalog and Handbooks) provide a voice for current and prospective students, employees, and other affiliated persons. However, individuals in the community who do not have a formal affiliation with this institution or program are also welcome to provide comments according to the following policy. 1. This process is only for comments or concerns that cannot be addressed by existing grievance/due process procedures described in the Harcum College catalog, Faculty Handbook or the PTA Program Policy and Procedure Manual. 2. Comments must be provided in writing and signed by the author. Anonymous submissions will not be acknowledged, nor will written comments provided on behalf of an anonymous source.
3. Comments must be submitted to the following: PTA Program Director
Harcum College PTA Program 750 Montgomery Ave. Bryn Mawr, PA19010 4. The PTA Program Director shall respond to all comments within seven (7) days to further discuss and resolve the issue. If satisfactory resolution is not or can not be reached, appeal may be made to the Provost of the College within seven (7) days. Again, if satisfactory resolution is not or can not be reached, appeal may be made to the Office of the President within seven (7) days. The decision of the President will be final and not subject to further appeal. Neither the Provost nor the President will become involved until all attempts to resolve the issue with the Program Director have been exhausted, unless the comment is directly related to the performance of the Program Director. 5. Records of all correspondence will be confidentially maintained by the Program Director for five (5) years. These records are not open to the public. |
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