Programs of Study - Physical Therapist Assistant - College Catalog

The Community College of Rhode Island Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Physical Therapy Education of the American Physical Therapy Association. It consists of a variety of courses that includes physical therapy theory and practice as well as supporting courses from general education. The individual who successfully completes these courses receives an Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree and is eligible to take the licensure examination for physical therapist assistants.

The Physical Therapist Assistant Program is offered at the Satellite Campus at Newport Hospital. It is a full-time day program, although it is recommended that many of the courses outside of the Physical Therapist Assistant program be taken prior to acceptance into the program.

Individuals who are licensed Physical Therapist Assistants are eligible to work in public or private hospitals, clinics or health agencies. As a physical therapist assistant you will work under the supervision of a physical therapist utilizing prescribed activities to help patients recover physical function lost through disease, injury or other causes, and to relieve pain and promote healing.

The Physical Therapist Assistant Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), 1111 N. Fairfax Street, Alexandria, VA 22314.

Technical Standards: These standards give a sense of the physical requirements, psychomotor skills and affective behaviors associated with a particular occupation. The physical activity (Strength) level for Physical Therapist Assistant (076.224-010) is classified as “Medium” by the Department of Labor in The Dictionary of Occupational Titles.

Background Check: A criminal background check will be done for all students entering health programs. See

Program faculty reserve the right to require withdrawal of any student from the program or to refuse reinstatement based on the student’s academic, clinical or behavioral performance.

Course No.	Course Title	Credits	Class Hours	Lab Hours	Total Clinical Hours	Prerequisites	Recommended Sequence
General Education Requirements
PHTA 1000	Introduction to Physical Therapist Assistant	2	2	0	0		*
RHAB 1010	Medical Terminology	1	1	0	0		*
BIOL 1010	Human Anatomy	4	3	3	0		*
MATH 1700	Algebra for Technology	3	4	0	0	Proficiency at MATH 0600	1
BIOL 1020	Human Physiology	4	3	3	0	BIOL 1010	1
ENGL 1010	Composition I	3	3	0	0	Placement Testing	1
SPCH 1100	Oral Communication I	3	3	0	0		2
PSYC 2010	General Psychology	3	3	0	0		2
PSYC 2030	Developmental Psychology	3	3	0	0	PSYC 2010	3 **
Major Requirements - Students must be accepted in Program before taking any major requirements
RHAB 1110	Kinesiology	3	3	2	0	BIOL 1010	1
PHTA 1120	Tests and Measurements for Physical Therapist Assistants	2	1	2	0		1
PHTA 1010	Physical Therapist Assistant I	6	4	4	16		1
PHTA 1020	Physical Therapist Assistant II	3	2	4	0	RHAB 1110, PHTA 1120, 1010	2
RHAB 1030	Pathophysiology for the Rehabilitative Health Practitioner	3	3	0	0	BIOL 1020	2
PHTA 2910	Clinical Education I	5	4	0	180	RHAB 1110, 1030, PHTA 1120, 1010, 1020	3 **
PHTA 2010	Physical Therapist Assistant III	7	9	6	0	RHAB 1110, 1030, PHTA 1120, 1010, 1020	4
PHTA 2920	Clinical Education II	5	4	0	180	RHAB 1110, 1030, PHTA 1120, 1010, 1020, 2910, 2010	4
PHTA 2020	Physical Therapist Assistant IV	7	9	6	0	RHAB 1110, 1030, PHTA 1120, 1010, 1020, 2910, 2010, 2920	5
PHTA 2030	Physical Therapy for Impaired Neuro Function	1	9	6	0	PHTA 2010 Corequisite: PHTA 2020
PHTA 2930	Clinical Education III	6	0	0	240	RHAB 1110, 1030, PHTA 1120, 1010, 1020, 2910, 2010, 2920, 2020	5
		73	64	30	616

Health and Rehabilitative Sciences - Rehabilitative Health Programs

Physical Therapist Assistant