Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA)

Courses

PTA A102 Physical Therapy in Health Care 3 Credits

Introduces the profession of Physical Therapy, to include the history, scope of practice, professionalism, the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA), ethical behavior, the health care team, interpersonal communication and documentation in a medical record. Introduces health-related human behavior to include coping and adjustment behaviors in acute and chronic illness, and the role that culture and family systems play in response to illness or injury.
Registration Restrictions: Admission to the Associate of Applied Science in Physical Therapist Assistant

PTA A105 Tests and Measures 3 Credits

Introduces common standardized tests and measures used to determine the interventions required for the plan of care developed by the supervising physical therapist.
Registration Restrictions: Departmental approval

PTA A110 Kinesiology and Biomechanics 3 Credits

Presents human anatomy with an emphasis on the musculoskeletal system, identification of structures and their relationship to function, normal and abnormal biomechanical principles of joint patterns and gait. Explores human movement during performance of activities, especially the geometry of movement (kinematics) and the forces influencing movement (kinetics).
Registration Restrictions: Departmental approval

PTA A120 Rehabilitation I 3 Credits

Introduces the clinical manifestations and common management strategies for diseases/disorders of the musculoskeletal, endocrine, integumentary, cardiovascular and pulmonary systems as they pertain to physical therapy interventions.
Registration Restrictions: Departmental approval

PTA A130 Physical Therapy Interventions I 4 Credits

Introduces adaptive/assistive devices and equipment, gait training, activities of daily living (ADLs), wheelchair skills, isolation/standard precautions, aseptic technique, draping, transfers, passive range of motion (PROM), and mechanical modalities.
Registration Restrictions: Departmental approval

PTA A195 Clinical Practicum I 1 Credit

Provides the Physical Therapist Assistant student an opportunity to observe and participate in a structured clinical setting under the supervision of a licensed physical therapist or physical therapist assistant. Provides an opportunity for the student to perform tests and interventions, and apply critical thinking skills developed in prior coursework.
Registration Restrictions: Departmental approval

Prerequisites: PTA A130 with a minimum grade of C.

PTA A210 Therapeutic Exercise 4 Credits

Introduces exercise as a preventive and treatment mechanism for pathological conditions that influence strength, endurance and flexibility of the human body. Emphasis is placed upon design and application of exercise, developmental sequence of exercise, types of exercise, and the use of exercise equipment. Includes the body's physiological response to exercise.
Registration Restrictions: Departmental approval

Prerequisites: PTA A105 with a minimum grade of C and PTA A110 with a minimum grade of C.

PTA A220 Rehabilitation II 3 Credits

Introduces the clinical manifestations and common management strategies for diseases/disorders of the neurological, immune, lymphatic, hepatic/biliary, hematologic, gastrointestinal and genitourinary systems as they pertain to physical therapy interventions.
Registration Restrictions: Departmental approval

Prerequisites: PTA A120 with a minimum grade of C.

PTA A230 Physical Therapy Interventions II 4 Credits

Introduces physical therapy interventions including management of integumentary pathologies, use of physical agents, environmental safety and accessibility evaluations, prosthetics and orthotics, and select manual therapy interventions.
Registration Restrictions: Department approval

Prerequisites: PTA A130 with a minimum grade of C.

PTA A250 Neurological Interventions Across the Lifespan 3 Credits

Introduces fundamentals of growth, development and aging, with implications for physical therapy. Focuses on neurological interventions used throughout the lifespan for individuals with abnormal development, neurological injuries and neurological disorders.
Registration Restrictions: Departmental approval

PTA A292 Physical Therapist Assistant Seminar 2 Credits

Prepares the student for transition into the workforce. Includes discussion of the national Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) exam, employment, Alaska practice act, professional development, employment opportunities and community service. Presents challenges and opportunities involved with providing physical therapy in the state of Alaska.
Registration Restrictions: Departmental approval

Prerequisites: PTA A195 with a minimum grade of P.

PTA A295A Clinical Practicum II 5 Credits

Provides continued supervised physical therapy experience in a health care setting.
Registration Restrictions: Departmental approval

Prerequisites: PTA A195 with a minimum grade of P.

PTA A295B Clinical Practicum III 5 Credits

Provides continued supervised physical therapy experience in a health care setting.
Registration Restrictions: Departmental approval

Prerequisites: PTA A295A with a minimum grade of P.