Physical Therapist Assisting

The Associate in Applied Science (AAS) in the Physical Therapist Assisting program prepares students to use therapeutic modalities and procedures under the direction and supervision of a physical therapist. The physical therapist assistant works with patients who have physical impairments requiring physical therapy services to relieve pain and heal damaged tissue; and to improve range of motion, strength, and functional mobility. Physical therapy treatments include but are not limited to the application of therapeutic modalities; therapeutic exercise including stretching, range of motion, and strengthening; mobility skills including ambulation, transfers, and wheelchair mobility activities; balance exercises; and wound care management.

The Physical Therapist Assisting program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education. Only graduates of an accredited training program may practice as a physical therapist assistant in the state of Arizona. Program graduates are eligible to apply for the certification examination administered by the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy. A passing score on this examination is required for licensure/certification to practice as a physical therapist assistant in Arizona and in many other states.

This program is designed to meet education requirements for licensure or certification in the State of Arizona. Granting licensure and certification is the sole responsibility of the state board or approval agency. This program is only offered and available to students located in the State of Arizona. The Maricopa County Community College District and colleges define student location within Administrative Regulation 2.2.3(7).

Details

Field of Interest

Health Sciences

Degree Type

Associate in Applied Science (AAS)

Academic Plan

Physical Therapist Assisting (DEG)

Academic Plan Code

3675

Total credits required

75-82

Catalog Year

2024-2025

Effective Term

Fall 2023

Admission criteria

1. Formal application and admission to begin the core curriculum is determined by a point system. See point system description in Physical Therapist Assisting (PTA) program packet in the Health Sciences Division of college.
2. Background check requirements: Admission to an Allied Health program requires that students be in compliance with the Maricopa County Community College District background check standards. Upon conditional program enrollment, the student must comply with all requirements of the MCCCD background check policy and drug testing protocols.
3. Clinical health and safety requirements: Prior to placement in the clinical setting, the student must comply with all requirements of the MCCCD clinical health and safety policy.
4. Inability to comply with background check requirements and/or clinical health and safety requirements prior to placement in the clinical setting may result in cancellation of enrollment.
5. Forty (40) hours of volunteer/work/observation in physical therapy practice settings supervised by a licensed physical therapist or physical therapist assistant are required to apply for admission into the PTA program. A minimum of 10 hours in an inpatient (hospital, skilled nursing facility, rehabilitation hospital) setting is required.

Notes

Students must earn a grade of C or better in all courses within the program.

If selected as part of program completion, the following general education courses must be completed with a B or higher to apply for an available space to begin the core curriculum: BIO160 or BIO201; ENG101 or ENG107; and ENG102 or ENG108.

Students with other related health care experiences not listed on the following program preparatory options may request an evaluation for course competency equivalence for work experience or equivalent education as evaluated by the GateWay Health Core Curriculum Coordinator. Once admitted to the program, students should plan to attend full time.

Required HCC courses may be taken prior to program admission or concurrent with required courses. HCC courses must be completed prior to clinical placement if taken concurrent with required courses.

What You'll Learn

Perform treatment techniques to patients according to the physical therapist's plan of care.
Utilize lawful and ethical guidelines for decision-making in the workplace.
Apply knowledge of disease processes for effective treatment of patients in the physical therapy practice setting.
Apply the foundational principles of treatment, patient care and safety, as applied to the practice of physical therapy.
Demonstrate problem-solving techniques, professional ethics and patient care management skills in the role of a physical therapist assistant in the clinical setting.
Apply basic techniques of therapeutic and effective communication in a health care setting.

Successful completion of this degree may lead to employment in a variety of different occupations and industries. Below are examples of related occupations with associated Arizona-based wages* for this degree. Education requirements vary for the occupations listed below, so you may need further education or degrees in order to qualify for some of these jobs and earn the related salaries. Please visit with an academic advisor and/or program director for additional information. You can click on any occupation to view the detail regarding education level, wages, and employment information.

Physical Therapist Assistants

$53,680 Show expanded career information for Physical Therapist Assistants

* Career and wage information provided by Pipeline AZ using data, reports, and forecasts which are generated using government data sources. Sources

Course Sequence by Term

The following is the suggested course sequence by term. Please keep in mind:

Students should meet with an academic advisor to develop an individual education plan that meets their academic and career goals. Use the Degree Progress Report Tool in your Student Center to manage your plan.
The course sequence is laid out by suggested term and may be affected when students enter the program at different times of the year.
Initial course placement is determined by current district placement measures and/or completion of 100-200 level course and/or program requirements.
Degree and transfer seeking students may be required to successfully complete a MCCCD First Year Experience Course (FYE) within the first two semesters at a MCCCD College. Courses include FYE101 and FYE103. Course offerings will vary by college. See an academic, program, or faculty advisor for details.
Consult with your faculty mentor or academic advisor to determine educational requirements, including possible university transfer options, for your chosen career field.

Pathway Map Options

There are multiple options available for this pathway map. These options vary depending on the locations, partners, and available tracks of the award.

These pathway map options may share some common coursework. To explore what additional coursework may be required, select your desired option from the list below. Once selected, the list of courses and any associated details will be automatically updated in the course sequence below. The differences between individual pathway map options may only be a few courses.

Note: You will have to select one of the options below to view available course sequences.

Physical Therapist Assisting
Physical Therapist Assisting - Day Pathway Sequence
Physical Therapist Assisting - Hybrid Pathway Sequence

Full-time

Full-time Sequence

To view course sequences, select one of the pathway map options above.

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 1Term 1
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Area	Credits
ENG101 or ENG107	First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL	Prerequisites: Writing test score or (C or better in ENG091 or ESL097or WAC101) or (B or better in ALT100) or (ALT100 & Corequisites: ENG101LL or ENG107LL or WAC101 or ENG100A+) or (ESL202 & Corequisites: ENG101LL or ENG107LL or WAC101 or ENG100A+). or Prerequisites: Writing test score or (C or better in ENG091 or ESL097or WAC101) or (B or better in ALT100) or (ALT100 & Corequisites: ENG101LL or ENG107LL or WAC101 or ENG100A+) or (ESL202 & Corequisites: ENG101LL or ENG107LL or WAC101 or ENG100A+).		FYC or FYC	3
BIO160 or BIO201	Introduction to Human Anatomy and Physiology or Human Anatomy and Physiology I	No requisites or Prerequisites: C or better in (BIO156, or BIO156XT, or BIO181, or BIO181XT, or 1 yr of high school biology) and (RDG100, or RDG100LL, or higher, or eligibility for CRE101). CHM130 or higher or one year of high school chemistry suggested but not required.		SQ or SG	4
MA	Mathematics		Any approved general education course in the Mathematical Applications [MA] area 3-6. MAT14+ recommended for students who are interested in transferring to university.	MA	3–6
COM	Any approved general education course from the Oral Communication area				3
ENG101 or ENG107	First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL	Prerequisites: Writing test score or (C or better in ENG091 or ESL097or WAC101) or (B or better in ALT100) or (ALT100 & Corequisites: ENG101LL or ENG107LL or WAC101 or ENG100A+) or (ESL202 & Corequisites: ENG101LL or ENG107LL or WAC101 or ENG100A+). or Prerequisites: Writing test score or (C or better in ENG091 or ESL097or WAC101) or (B or better in ALT100) or (ALT100 & Corequisites: ENG101LL or ENG107LL or WAC101 or ENG100A+) or (ESL202 & Corequisites: ENG101LL or ENG107LL or WAC101 or ENG100A+).		FYC or FYC	3
BIO160 or BIO201	Introduction to Human Anatomy and Physiology or Human Anatomy and Physiology I	No requisites or Prerequisites: C or better in (BIO156, or BIO156XT, or BIO181, or BIO181XT, or 1 yr of high school biology) and (RDG100, or RDG100LL, or higher, or eligibility for CRE101). CHM130 or higher or one year of high school chemistry suggested but not required.		SQ or SG	4
MA	Mathematics		Any approved general education course in the Mathematical Applications [MA] area 3-6. MAT14+ recommended for students who are interested in transferring to university.	MA	3–6
COM	Any approved general education course from the Oral Communication area				3

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 2 (May-August)Term 2 (May-August)
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Area	Credits
PTA101	Survey of Physical Therapy	Prerequisites: Admission to the Physical Therapist Assisting program or permission of the Program Director.	Critical course Gateway course		1.5
PTA103	Kinesiology	Prerequisites: Admission to the Physical Therapist Assisting program or permission of the Program Director.			3
PTA104	Musculo-Skeletal Assessment Techniques	Prerequisites: Admission to the Physical Therapist Assisting program or permission of the Program Director.			1.5
PTA205	Communication in Physical Therapy	Prerequisites: Admission to the Physical Therapist Assisting program or permission of Department or Division.			1.5
HCC145 or HCC146	Medical Terminology for Health Care Professionals or Intermediate Medical Terminology				2–3
ENG102 or ENG108	First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL	Prerequisites: Grade of C or better in ENG101. or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in ENG107.		FYC or FYC	3
PTA203	Clinical Pathology	Prerequisites: Admission to the Physical Therapist Assisting program or permission of the Program Director.			3
PTA101	Survey of Physical Therapy	Prerequisites: Admission to the Physical Therapist Assisting program or permission of the Program Director.	Critical course Gateway course		1.5
PTA103	Kinesiology	Prerequisites: Admission to the Physical Therapist Assisting program or permission of the Program Director.			3
PTA104	Musculo-Skeletal Assessment Techniques	Prerequisites: Admission to the Physical Therapist Assisting program or permission of the Program Director.			1.5
PTA203	Clinical Pathology	Prerequisites: Admission to the Physical Therapist Assisting program or permission of the Program Director.			3
HCC145 or HCC146	Medical Terminology for Health Care Professionals or Intermediate Medical Terminology				2–3

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 3 (August-October)
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Area	Credits
PTA200	Patient Mobility Techniques	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in (PTA101, PTA103, and PTA104) or permission of the Program Director.		4
ENG102 or ENG108	First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL	Prerequisites: Grade of C or better in ENG101. or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in ENG107.	FYC or FYC	3
PSY101	Introduction to Psychology		SB	3

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 3 (January -May)
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Area	Credits
PTA200	Patient Mobility Techniques	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in (PTA101, PTA103, and PTA104) or permission of the Program Director.			4
PTA202	Therapeutic Modalities	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in (PTA101, PTA103, and PTA104) or permission of the Program Director.			5
PTA204	Preclinical Practicum I	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in (PTA101, PTA103, and PTA104), or permission of the Program Director. Corequisites: PTA202.			0.5
CRE101	College Critical Reading and Critical Thinking	Prerequisites: (A grade of C or better in ENG101 or ENG107) and (appropriate reading placement test score or a grade of C or better in RDG095 or RDG100 or RDG111 or RDG112 or RDG113 or permission of Instructor).	OR Equivalent as indicated by assessment 0-3	L	0–3
PTA217	Clinical Neurology	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in (PTA101, PTA103, PTA104, PTA200, PTA203, and PTA206) or permission of the Program Director.			2

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 4 (October-December)
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Credits
PTA202	Therapeutic Modalities	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in (PTA101, PTA103, and PTA104) or permission of the Program Director.	5
PTA204	Preclinical Practicum I	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in (PTA101, PTA103, and PTA104), or permission of the Program Director. Corequisites: PTA202.	0.5
PTA205	Communication in Physical Therapy	Prerequisites: Admission to the Physical Therapist Assisting program or permission of Department or Division.	1.5
PTA217	Clinical Neurology	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in (PTA101, PTA103, PTA104, PTA200, PTA203, and PTA206) or permission of the Program Director.	2

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 4 (May-June)
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Area	Credits
PTA206	Clinical Practicum I	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in (PTA200, PTA202, PTA203, and PTA205), or permission of the Program Director. Corequisites: PTA207.		3
PTA207	Clinical Practicum Seminar I	Prerequisites: Admission to the Physical Therapist Assisting program or permission of the Program Director. Corequisites: PTA206.		1
PSY101	Introduction to Psychology		SB	3
HU	Humanities, Fine Arts, and Design			3

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 5 (January-February)
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Area	Credits
PTA206	Clinical Practicum I	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in (PTA200, PTA202, PTA203, and PTA205), or permission of the Program Director. Corequisites: PTA207.			3
PTA207	Clinical Practicum Seminar I	Prerequisites: Admission to the Physical Therapist Assisting program or permission of the Program Director. Corequisites: PTA206.			1
CRE101	College Critical Reading and Critical Thinking	Prerequisites: (A grade of C or better in ENG101 or ENG107) and (appropriate reading placement test score or a grade of C or better in RDG095 or RDG100 or RDG111 or RDG112 or RDG113 or permission of Instructor).	OR Equivalent as indicated by assessment 0-3	L	0–3
PTA208	Rehabilitation of Special Populations	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in (PTA200, PTA202, PTA203, and PTA205), or permission of the Program Director.			5

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 5 (August-December)
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Credits
PTA208	Rehabilitation of Special Populations	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in (PTA200, PTA202, PTA203, and PTA205), or permission of the Program Director.	5
PTA210	Orthopedic Physical Therapy	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in (PTA206 and PTA207) or permission of the Program Director.	4
PTA214	Electromodalities	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better (PTA206 and PTA207) or permission of the Program Director.	2.5
PTA215	Wound Care for the Physical Therapist Assistant	Prerequisites: Admission to the Physical Therapist Assisting program or permission of Department or Division.	1
PTA279	Preclinical Practicum II	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in PTA206, or permission of the Program Director. Corequisites: PTA210.	0.5

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 6 (January-May)
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Credits
PTA230	Physical Therapy Seminar	Prerequisites: Admission to the Physical Therapist Assisting program or permission of the Program Director.	2
PTA280	Clinical Practicum II	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in (PTA208, PTA210, PTA214, and PTA217), or permission of Program Director. Corequisites: PTA281.	3
PTA281	Clinical Practicum Seminar II	Prerequisites: Admission to the Physical Therapist Assisting program, or permission of Department or Division. Corequisites: PTA280.	1
PTA290	Clinical Practicum III	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in: PTA208, PTA210, PTA214, and PTA217 or permission of Department or Division. Corequisites: PTA292.	3
PTA292	Clinical Practicum Seminar III	Prerequisites: Admission to the Physical Therapist Assisting program or permission of the Department or Division. Corequisites: PTA290.	1
PTA295	Physical Therapist Assistant Examination Review	Prerequisites: Admission to the Physical Therapist Assisting program or permission of the Program Director.	2

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 6 (March)
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Area	Credits
PTA210	Orthopedic Physical Therapy	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in (PTA206 and PTA207) or permission of the Program Director.			4
PTA279	Preclinical Practicum II	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in PTA206, or permission of the Program Director. Corequisites: PTA210.			0.5

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 7 (April-May)
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Credits
PTA214	Electromodalities	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better (PTA206 and PTA207) or permission of the Program Director.	2.5
PTA215	Wound Care for the Physical Therapist Assistant	Prerequisites: Admission to the Physical Therapist Assisting program or permission of Department or Division.	1
PTA295	Physical Therapist Assistant Examination Review	Prerequisites: Admission to the Physical Therapist Assisting program or permission of the Program Director.	2

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 8 (May-June)
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Credits
PTA280	Clinical Practicum II	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in (PTA208, PTA210, PTA214, and PTA217), or permission of Program Director. Corequisites: PTA281.	3
PTA281	Clinical Practicum Seminar II	Prerequisites: Admission to the Physical Therapist Assisting program, or permission of Department or Division. Corequisites: PTA280.	1
HU	Humanities, Fine Arts, and Design		3

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 9 (July-August)
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Credits
PTA230	Physical Therapy Seminar	Prerequisites: Admission to the Physical Therapist Assisting program or permission of the Program Director.	2
PTA290	Clinical Practicum III	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in: PTA208, PTA210, PTA214, and PTA217 or permission of Department or Division. Corequisites: PTA292.	3
PTA292	Clinical Practicum Seminar III	Prerequisites: Admission to the Physical Therapist Assisting program or permission of the Department or Division. Corequisites: PTA290.	1

Course Area Key

Gateway Course = Generally the first major-specific course in a pathway.

Critical Course = A course that is highly predictive of future success in a pathway.

FYC = First Year Composition
L = Literacy & Critical Inquiry
MA = Mathematics

SB = Social-Behavioral Sciences
SG = Natural Sciences General
SQ = Natural Sciences Quantitative

Disclaimer

Students must earn a grade of C or better for all courses required within the program.

Course Sequence total credits may differ from the program information located on the MCCCD curriculum website due to program and system design.

View MCCCD’s official curriculum documentation for additional details regarding the requirements of this award (https://aztransmac2.asu.edu/cgi-bin/WebObjects/MCCCD.woa/wa/freeForm13?id=179215).

At Maricopa, we strive to provide you with accurate and current information about our degree and certificate offerings. Due to the dynamic nature of the curriculum process, course and program information is subject to change. As a result, the course list associated with this degree or certificate on this site does not represent a contract, nor does it guarantee course availability. If you are interested in pursuing this degree or certificate, we encourage you to meet with an advisor to discuss the requirements at your college for the appropriate catalog year.

Previous Catalog Years

The pathway map presented above is for the current catalog year and is the intended pathway map for new students. All previous catalog years for this pathway map are available at the link below.

Previous catalog years for Associate in Applied Science (AAS) in Physical Therapist Assisting