Estimated Cost: $8334
For more complete information
please refer to the
MSU-GF 2007-2008 Catalog
| Tuition and Fees |
$5964 |
| Application Fee |
$30 |
| Lab Fees |
$340 |
| Books and Supplies |
$2000 |
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PHYSICAL THERAPIST ASSISTANT
Associate of Applied Science Degree
Catalog 2007-2008
Advisors: Andrea Johnson, MS, PT
Website: Physical Therapist Assistant
NOTE: The Physical Therapist Assistant Program at Montana State University - Great Falls College of Technology received full initial accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) in December 1997. The program hosted an on-site visit in October 2002, and in April 2003 CAPTE voted to fully re-accredit the PTA Program for a ten-year period lasting until 2012. However, as the program went into a state of moratorium, MSU – Great Falls College of Technology filed an application for approval of substantive change to reinstate accreditation. The PTA program has achieved accreditation.
CAPTE voted to reinstate accreditation status of the Physical Therapist Assistant Program at Montana State University - Great Falls College of Technology as of May 16, 2007. A Progress Report must be submitted to CAPTE by September 4, 2007 documenting progress toward compliance in the areas specified in the Summary of Action from CAPTE of the APTA. An on-site review visit to the program will occur after the submission of the Progress Report and before the first class of students in the reinstated program graduate. PTA programs are required by the US Department of Education to come into compliance with all evaluative criteria within two years.
CAPTE can be contacted as follows: Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education, 1111 North Fairfax Street, Alexandria, Virginia 22314, accreditation@apta.org, (703) 684-2782 or (703) 706- 3245. |
Upon completion of the PTA program, the graduate is prepared to take the national board examination for physical therapist assistants provided by the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy and
must receive a passing score in order to become a licensed PTA. Licensure is required to practice as a physical therapist assistant in Montana and is overseen by the State of Montana Board of Physical
Therapy Examiners.
The Physical Therapist Assistant program is designed to graduate physical therapist assistants who are knowledgeable, competent, self-assured, adaptable, and service-oriented patient/client care providers performing their duties within the ethical and legal guidelines of the physical therapy profession as entry-level physical therapist assistants having successfully passed the National Physical Therapist Assistant Examination. Graduates from the program are prepared to work in a variety of healthcare setting including acute care, outpatient, rehabilitation, and extended care facilities.
Outcomes: Graduates are prepared to:
- Instruct patients in correct and safe ambulation.
- Perform therapeutic exercise.
- Use physical agents safely and appropriately.
- Rehabilitate patients in functional activities.
- Document patient progress in both paper and electronic formats.
- Interact professionally with other healthcare team members.
Montana State University - Great Falls College of Technology’s Physical Therapist Assistant program is working toward restoring active accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education. The PTA program has been in a state of moratorium since 2003.
Pre-Physical Therapist Assistant Requirements
A background in basic sciences and proficiency in computer skills are essential to success in the Physical Therapist Assistant Program. Prior to Fall admission into the PTA program and as proof of meeting the application requirements for admission, the student must:
- Complete high school (core college equivalent) Biology, Physics, AND Chemistry;
- Complete 40 hours of observation in at least 2 different physical therapy clinics/facilities;
- Write and submit a short reflective paper detailing their experiences at clinical observations (criteria for this paper is provided to the student);
- Show proof of computer literacy (high school or college courses, or challenge exam);
- Provide three letters of reference (sources specified).
Pre-requisite Courses
| AH |
108* |
Disease Concepts |
2† |
| AH |
145 |
Introduction to Medical Terminology |
1† |
| BIO |
213 |
Anatomy & Phys I Lecture/Lab |
4† |
| BIO |
214* |
Anatomy & Phys II Lecture/Lab |
4† |
| COMM |
135 |
Interpersonal Communication |
3† |
| ENGL |
121** |
Composition I |
3† |
| MATH |
161** |
Algebra w/Science Applications |
3† |
| PSY |
101 |
General Psychology |
3† |
| PSY |
109 |
Lifespan Development |
3† |
| SOC |
111 |
Introduction to Sociology |
3† |
| |
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SUBTOTAL |
29 |
Requirements after Formal Acceptance
Fall Semester
| PTA |
100* |
Intro to Physical Therapy |
3† |
| PTA |
101* |
Physical Therapist Assisting I/Lab |
4† |
| PTA |
110* |
Issues in Physical Therapist Assisting |
2† |
| PTA |
205* |
Motion & Human Body's Response/Lab |
4† |
| PTA |
210* |
Clinical Experience I |
3† |
| |
|
SUBTOTAL |
16 |
Spring Semester
| PTA |
201* |
Physical Therapist Assisting II/Lab |
4† |
| PTA |
208* |
Introduction to Neuroscience |
3† |
| PTA |
211* |
Physical Therapist Assisting III/Lab |
4† |
| PTA |
215* |
Introduction to Orthopedics/Lab |
3† |
| PTA |
220* |
Clinical Experience II (6-week) |
4† |
| |
|
SUBTOTAL |
18 |
Summer Semester
| PTA |
225* |
Seminar & Project in PTA |
3† |
| PTA |
230* |
Clinical Experience III (8-week) |
5† |
| |
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SUBTOTAL |
8 |
| Total Program Credits 71~ |
Top |
~ Many students need preliminary math and English courses before enrolling in the program requirements. These courses may increase the total number of program credits. Students should review their math and English placement before planning out their full program schedule.
† A grade of “C-” or above required for graduation
* Indicates prerequisites needed
** Placement in course(s) is determined by admissions assessment
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