Physical Therapist Assistant
Overview
Our Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) curriculum is a two-year program of study that prepares a PTA to perform interventions under the supervision of a physical therapist in an ethical, legal, safe, and effective manner. As a PTA, you will enhance the delivery of physical therapy services by providing delegated interventions, assisting the physical therapist with data collection, communicating with other members of the health care delivery team, interacting with members of the patient’s family and caregivers, and working cooperatively with other health care providers.
Upon graduation, the student is eligible to take the National Physical Therapy Examination for licensure.
Hinds Community College is committed to helping you get to where they want to go. So, if your goal is to start a new career as a PTA or transition from a similar career in the medical field, we can help. Completing our program can open doors for your career and give you the full-time employment you’re looking for.
Quick Facts
- Associate of Applied Science
- Nursing Allied Health Center
- Face-to-Face
Sample Curriculum
| Course | Hours |
|---|---|
| Anatomy and Physiology I, Lecture & Lab | 4 |
| Anatomy and Physiology II, Lecture & Lab | 4 |
| College Algebra | 3 |
| Total Hours | 11 |
| Course | Hours |
|---|---|
| English Composition I | 3 |
| Fundamental Skills for Physical Therapist Assistants | 3 |
| Kinesiology | 4 |
| Medical Conditions and Related Pathology | 3 |
| Total Hours | 13 |
| Course | Hours |
|---|---|
| General Psychology | 3 |
| Health Care Experience I | 1 |
| Therapeutic Modalities | 4 |
| Fundamental Concepts of Physical Therapy | 3 |
| Therapeutic Exercise and Rehabilitation I | 4 |
| Humanities/Fine Arts Elective | 3 |
| Total Hours | 18 |
| Course | Hours |
|---|---|
| Electrotherapy | 4 |
| Total Hours | 4 |
| Course | Hours |
|---|---|
| Health Care Experience II | 1 |
| Therapeutic Exercise and Rehabilitation II | 4 |
| Clinical Education I | 3 |
| Public Speaking I or Interpersonal Communication | 3 |
| Total Hours | 11 |
| Course | Hours |
|---|---|
| Clinical Education II | 4 |
| Clinical Education III | 4 |
| Clinical Education IV | 4 |
| Physical Therapy Seminar | 3 |
| Total Hours | 15 |
The degree plan provides the courses recommended for students seeking to transfer in this area of study. Students should consult the Mississippi Articulation Agreement for specific course requirements at specific Mississippi universities. Students can also use MATT (MS Articulation & Transfer Tool).
Important Program Information
Admission Requirements
Application for admission to Hinds Community College
Application to the Physical Therapist Assistant Program:
- Validation of high school graduation by official high school transcript or high school equivalency transcript (GED®, HiSET®, TASC™, or Mississippi Competency-Based High School Equivalency)
- For currently enrolled high school students, an updated transcript, validating high school graduation, will be required prior to beginning the program.
- Official transcripts from all colleges attended, except Hinds Community College
- ACT composite score of 18 (15 if taken before October 1989)
- Completion of Anatomy & Physiology I and II with labs and College Algebra with a minimum 2.5 GPA on the highest of all attempts
- All required courses must be completed with a “C” or above
The program accepts one class per year with a maximum of 25 students.
Selection Process
Applications will be available from January 1 through May 20 with all admissions requirements due by May 20. There is a preferred deadline of March 31 for individuals who have completed all admission requirements by this March 31 preferred deadline. Individuals who have submitted all completed and required documents by either the preferred or the final deadline will be considered for program admission based on a rating scale that includes but is not limited to:
- ACT Composite Score with sub-scores
- documented military service
- highest previous certificate or degrees and grades in Anatomy and Physiology I and II with labs and College Algebra (only the higher of a student’s first two attempts in the required science and math courses will be considered in the rating scale)
Applicants not selected for a class may reapply for subsequent classes by submitting a new Application for Selection to the Physical Therapist Assistant Program.
Program Accreditation
The Physical Therapist Assistant Program at Hinds Community College is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), 3030 Potomac Ave., Suite 100, Alexandria, Virginia 22305-3085; telephone: 703-706-3245; email:accreditation@apta.org; website:https://www.capteonline.org.
If needing to contact the program/institution directly, please call Angela Jordan, Interim Program Director, 601-376-4825.
The program has determined that its curriculum meets the state educational requirements for licensure or certification in all states, the District of Colombia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands secondary to its accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education, based on the following: CAPTE accreditation of a physical therapist or physical therapist assistant program satisfies state educational requirements in all states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Thus, students graduating from CAPTE-accredited physical therapist and physical therapist assistant education programs are eligible to take the National Physical Therapy Examination and apply for licensure in all states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
For more information regarding state qualifications and licensure requirements, refer to the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy website atwww.fsbpt.org.