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Physical Therapist Assistant AAS

Associate in Applied Science Code 5179

Program Contacts:
Quad-Cities Campus
PTA Faculty Office – Building 3, Room 152
Larry Gillund, Program Director
309-796-5393, gillundl@bhc.edu

Dianne Abels, Academic Coordinator of Clinical Education
309-796 5394, abelsd@bhc.edu

Nan Reddy, Advisor
309-796-5161, reddyn@bhc.edu

East Campus
Room A-246
Wendy Smith
309-854-1713, smithw@bhc.edu

The Physical Therapist Assistant Program is offered at the Quad-Cities Campus only with clinical practice available throughout a large regional area.

The Physical Therapist Assistant Degree is offered through the Allied Health Department. Fundamentals taught under the supervision of a physical therapist include utilizing various physical agents such as heat, cold, light, water, electricity, and sound. The students will also be able to administer massage and therapeutic exercise as well as teach gait and other activities of daily living. Upon completion of the program the graduates receive an Associate of Applied Science Degree and will be eligible to take the examination for licensure as a physical therapist assistant.

Physical Therapy Assistant Application or request to have one mailed to you through New Student Services at the Quad-Cities Campus. Students must also successfully document and need all health and background checks required by academic departments and/or clinical sites prior to admission to program and/or courses.

The Associate in Applied Science in Physical Therapist Assistant prepares students to perform physical therapy procedures under the supervision of a physical therapist. Physical therapist assistants are primarily employed in hospitals, extended care and nursing home facilities, and in private practices. Employment of Physical Therapist assistants is expected to grow faster than average for all occupations through 2014. The curriculum for Physical Therapist Assistant is career oriented and accredited by the American Physical Therapy Association.

Each applicant must meet the following requirements:

  • High school graduation or equivalent
  • A physical examination prior to any clinical experience
  • Interview with PTA faculty – the interview is part of a written and oral selection process (held in the spring prior to the start of fall classes)
  • Minimum of “C” average in courses previously completed at Black Hawk College and any courses transferred from other colleges
  • Students must achieve a grade of “C” or above in all PTA courses to continue in the program
  • Any developmental course that is required as determined by COMPASS scores and program faculty
  • All prerequisites need to be completed for required courses with a grade of “C” or above (science classes within last five years)

Students are strongly encouraged to get their application in early, as this selection process begins in January and is very competitive. Applicants are interviewed and reviewed for selection in the order in which the program received their application. This program admits 24 students each fall. Applications will be accepted starting September 1st.

Required courses for this program include: »

BIOL 145  Anatomy Physiology I
Prerequisites: High school biology within the past five years or completion of BIOL 100; 101; 105 “C” or better and high school chemistry within the past five years or CHEM 101 or 110 “C” or better, and student must have completed REA 098 and MATH 080 (or COMPASS equivalent), and student must be eligible for (as determined by COMPASS score or other assessment) or currently enrolled in college-level English courses (100-level or greater) or instructor consent.
A systematic study of the anatomical-physiological aspects of the human body. Topics include homeostasis, biomolecules, cytology, histology, as well as integumentary, skeleto-muscular, nervous and endocrine systems.
4 credit hours: 3 lecture hours; 2 lab hours per week.

BIOL 146  Anatomy Physiology II
Prerequisite: BIOL 145 “C” or better; an appropriate COMPASS score required.
Continuation of BIOL 145. Systematic study of cardiovascular, lymphatic, immune, respiratory, digestive, urinary, and reproductive systems. Fluids, electrolytes, acid-base balance, metabolism, and human development are also studied.
4 credit hours: 3 lecture hours; 2 lab hours per week.

BIOL 150  Medical Terminology
Prerequisite: 83 or above on COMPASS reading test or REA 098 “C” or better.
This course presents the principles of medical word construction through identification of root words, prefixes, suffices, combining forms, and methods of building medical terms. Emphasis is placed on correct medical word spelling, pronunciation, and definition, while introducing terminology specific to various body systems. The course is intended to prepare students to classify medical information for use in medical coding, billing, and reporting.
3 credit hours: 3 lecture hours; 0 lab hours per week.

CS 100  Introduction to Computers
Prerequisite: Appropriate placement score or REA 093 “B” or better.
Introduction to computer concepts, computer applications, and the impact of computers on society. Applications include word processing, spreadsheet, database, presentation and web-based software. Basic Algebra or equivalent is recommended.
3 credit hours: 3 lecture hours; 1 lab hour per week.

ENG 101  Composition I
Prerequisite: ACT English score of 22-30 or appropriate COMPASS score; or English 091 “C” or better.
English 101 is designed for students who are competent in the fundamentals of composition. Students will write essays using a variety of expository strategies and will apply standard techniques of documentation when appropriate.
3 credit hours; 3 lecture hours; 0 lab hours per week. IAI: C1 900 (Grade of “C” or higher required for this course to be eligible to be included in the IAI General Education Core Curriculum.)

MATH 108  Statistics for General Education
Prerequisites: Appropriate placement score or MATH 086 or 090 or 091 “C” or better and MATH 085.
General education course in basic principles and procedures of statistics including levels of measurement, graphic presentation, descriptive measures of central tendency and dispersion, inferential statistics and hypothesis testing, analysis of variance and regression. Course includes use of appropriate technology and interpretation of statistical data reported in subject matter literature.
3 credit hours: 3 lecture hours; 0 lab hours per week. IAI: M1 902

PSYC 101  Introduction to Psychology
Prerequisites: College level reading scores on COMPASS or REA 093 and SBS 100 “C” or better, or REA 098 and SBS 100 “C” or better.
A survey of the field of general psychology without specific emphasis on any particular theory or model of human or animal behavior. Fundamental principles, methods, theories and issues in the field are discussed. Content areas may include learning, thinking, neuroscience, methodology, memory, perception, personality, intelligence, emotion, adjustment, and abnormality among others.
3 credit hours: 3 lecture hours; 0 lab hours per week. IAI: S6 900

PSYC 200  Human Growth and Development
Prerequisite: PSYC 101.
Explores the neurobiological, physical, cognitive, social, and emotional development of humans from conception through adulthood. Examines theories and principles of human development in light of contemporary research, emphasizing normal developmental stages and patterns of adjustment to differing life-time demands.
3 credit hours: 3 lecture hours; 0 lab hours per week. IAI: S6 902

PTA 100  Introduction to PTA
Prerequisite: Admission to PTA program.
Study of historical background, professional ethics, and legal aspects of physical therapy practice. Overview of quality assurance and reimbursement issues, role of the PT and PTA in various settings and introduction to patient care.
3 credit hours: 3 lecture hour; 0 lab hours per week.

PTA 113  Physical Agents I
Prerequisite: Admission to PTA program.
Study of indications, contraindications and application of cold and heat such as infrared, ultraviolet, paraffin, hot/cold packs, ice, whirlpool and contrast baths.
2 credit hours: 1 lecture hour; 2 lab hours per week.

PTA 201  Kinesiology
Prerequisites: PTA 100, PTA 113, PTA 202, BIOL 145.
Study of analysis of force systems and mechanics of muscle action, and production of movement.
4 credit hours: 3 lecture hours; 2 lab hours per week.

PTA 202  Physical Rehabilitative Techniques
Prerequisite: PTA 201.
Study of basic rehabilitative techniques, such as goniometric measuring, patient positioning, range of motion exercise, transfer techniques, gait training, and chest physical therapy.
3 credit hours: 1.5 lecture hours; 3 lab hours per week.

PTA 203  Pathology
Prerequisites: PTA 100, PTA 113, PTA 202, BIOL 145.
Study of the fundamental basis of disease. Emphasis on conditions treated through physical therapy procedures.
2 credit hours: 2 lecture hours; 0 lab hours per week.

PTA 204  Practicum I
Prerequisites: PTA 100, PTA 113, PTA 202, BIOL 145.
Practice of routine physical therapy assisting procedures with selected patients in a closely supervised clinical setting.
3 credit hours: 1 lecture hour; 6 lab hours per week.

PTA 205  Physical Therapy Science
Prerequisite: PTA 201.
Discussion and study of medical conditions commonly referred for physical therapy such as cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, cerebral vascular accident, peripheral nerve injury, arthritis, and others.
2 credit hours: 2 lecture hours; 0 lab hours per week.

PTA 207  Massage
Prerequisites: PTA 100, PTA 113, PTA 202, BIOL 145.
Study of scientific principles, indications, contra-indications, and application of a variety of massage techniques.
1 credit hour: 1 lecture hour; .5 lab hour per week.

PTA 208  Therapeutic Exercise I
Prerequisite: PTA 201.
Study of fundamentals of exercise, theory and practice of basic exercises for individual muscles or muscle groups, breathing and postural exercises, manual muscle testing, and gait analysis.
3 credit hours: 2 lecture hours; 3 lab hours per week.

PTA 209  Therapeutic Exercise II
Prerequisites: PTA 205, PTA 208, PTA 214.
Study of scientific principles of therapeutic exercise, including use of equipment, orthopedic and neurological exercise techniques.
4 credit hours: 2 lecture hours; 4 lab hours per week.

PTA 213  Physical Agents II
Prerequisite: PTA 208.
Study of physiological effects, indications, contraindications, and application of deep heat such as ultrasound and diathermy, and other modalities such as electrical muscle stimulation, T.E.N.S. and traction.
3 credit hours: 2 lecture hours; 3 lab hours per week.

PTA 214  Practicum II
Prerequisite: PTA 201.
Practice of previously learned skills in a clinical setting, supervised by a Physical Therapist.
3 credit hours: 1 lecture hour; 6 lab hours per week.

PTA 280  Clinical Internship I
Prerequisites: PTA 209, PTA 213.
A clinical learning experience in selected health care facilities.
3 credit hours: 0 lecture hours; 48 lab hours per week.

PTA 281  Clinical Internship II
Prerequisite: PTA 280.
A final learning experience in selected health care facilities with hands-on application of treatment techniques and theories and progression of patient care skills learned in Clinical Internship I.
4 credit hours: 0 lecture hours; 48 lab hours per week.

PTA 290  Clinical Seminar
Prerequisite: PTA 208.
Discussion of education and clinical experiences.
2 credit hours: 2 lecture hours; 0 lab hours per week.

SPEC 114  Interpersonal Communication
Examines skills needed in informal face-to-face communication; emphasizes self-concept and interaction with others.
3 credit hours: 3 lecture hours; 0 lab hours per week.

SPEC 175  Intercultural Communication
Promotes awareness, knowledge, and skills for communicating among persons of differing cultural backgrounds. Focuses on cultures with whom U.S. Americans interact.
3 credit hours: 3 lecture hours; 0 lab hours per week.


Course of Study Outline
First Semester Suggested Courses (Credit Hours)
BIOL 145 — Anatomy and Physiology I (4)
BIOL 150 — Medical Terminology (3)
ENG 101 — Composition I (3)
PTA 100 — Introduction to PTA (3)
PTA 113 — Physical Agents I (2)
PTA 201 — Kinesiology (4)

Second Semester Suggested Courses (Credit Hours)
BIOL 146 — Anatomy and Physiology II (4)
PSYC 101 — Introduction to Psychology (3)
PTA 202 — Physical Rehabilitative Techniques (3)
PTA 203 — Pathology (2)
PTA 204 — Practicum I (3)
PTA 207 — Massage (1)

Third Semester Suggested Courses (Credit Hours)
PSYC 200 — Human Growth and Development (3)
PTA 205 — Physical Therapy Science (2)
PTA 208 — Therapeutic Exercise I (3)
PTA 214 — Practicum II (3)
SPEC 114 — Interpersonal Communication (3)

Fourth Semester Suggested Courses (Credit Hours)
MATH 108 — Statistics for General Education or (3)
CS 100 — Introduction to Computers
PTA 209 — Therapeutic Exercise II (4)
PTA 213 — Physical Agents II (3)
PTA 290 — Clinical Seminar (2)
SPEC 175 — Intercultural Communication (3)

Fifth Semester Suggested Courses (Credit Hours)
PTA 280 — Clinical Internship I (4)
PTA 281 — Clinical Internship II (4)

Minimum total hours required for degree (72)

Upon completion of this course of study, students will be eligible to take the board examination to become a licensed Physical Therapist Assistant. (The student is bound by the Illinois Physical Therapy Act: Paragraph 4257/Section 7 and Paragraph 4258.1/Section 8.1).