Physical Therapist Assistant Program Objectives

South Plains College PTA program will:

1. Provide an integrated academic program, in a hybrid on-campus and online format that will lead to licensure to practice as an entry-level physical therapist assistant under the supervision of a physical therapist.
2. Provide students enrolled in the technical program  a curriculum that is based on soundethical  practice under the guidelines of the following:

Ø  South Plains College Associate of Applied Science requirements

Ø  Executive Council Physical Therapy & Occupational Therapy Examiners (ECPTOTE)  licensing requirements

Ø  Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) evaluative criteria

Ø  The basic tenets of the APTA’s “Normative Model of Physical Therapy Education: Version 2007”and “Guide to Physical Therapy Practice”

Ø   Curricular content that is current and teaches the scope of practice of an entry-level physical therapist assistant under the supervision of a physical therapist.

1. Provide a current curriculum with periodic input from the PTA Advisory board members, academic faculty, clinical instructors, college administrators, graduates and students.
2. Provide channels of communication with all stakeholders of the PTA Program to include, but not limited to:

Ø  Students

Ø  Faculty and staff

Ø  PTA Advisory Board members

Ø  College administrators

Ø  Other college departments

Ø  Clinical education sites

Ø  State and national agencies

Ø  Accrediting agencies

Ø  The community at large

1. Provide the basis for continuing personal and professional development through life-long learning, membership in a professional organization and the desire to use such development to provide safe and ethical care to patients and in support of personal health practices.

The first graduating class of the PTA program will graduate in 2013. Graduation rates and licensure pass rates will be added at that time. For more information contact Jackie Underwood.