Physical Therapist Assistant A.S. Program Fact Sheet

• 44 units of Technical Core Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) Coursework and 10 units of Prerequisite Coursework (4 units of BIOL B32 counts toward perquisite & GE requirement B.1) with a minimum “C” grade plus Additional General Education 23 units (4 units of BIOL B32 is already counted in prerequisites) and Graduation Requirements for a total of 77 units for the PTA A.S. Degree.
• Certificate: Certificate not available.
• Transfer: A.S. Non-transferable Degree: Transfer preparation varies from university to university. Meet with a Bakersfield College counselor to review requirements. THIS IS NOT A PRE-PHYSICAL THERAPY DEGREE.

A.S. Degree

Graduation from a physical therapist assistant education program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), 3030 Potomac Ave., Suite 100, Alexandria, Virginia 22305-3085; phone; (703) 706-3245; accreditation@apta.org is necessary for eligibility to sit for the licensure examination, which is required in all states.

Associate of Science in Physical Therapist Assistant Program at Bakersfield College is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), 3030 Potomac Ave., Suite 100, Alexandria, Virginia 22305-3085 (703) 706-3245; Email: accreditation@apta.org; CAPTE Website. If needing to contact the program/institution directly, please call (661) 395-3540 or email bcpta@bakersfieldcollege.edu.

Once the graduate has successfully passed the National Physical Therapist Assistant Examination and State Jurisprudence Exam, the PTA may begin employment in wide variety of entry level positions. Jobs are readily available and there is full employment for those who choose to work.

*CAPTE, Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education of the American Physical Therapy Association is located at 3030 Potomac Ave. Suite 100, Alexandria, VA, 22305; phone: (703) 706-3245 or (800) 999-2782; email: accreditation@apta.org

Admission Requirements

• Graduation from an accredited high school or GED Equivalency
• Cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher
• A “C” in each prerequisite course: Anatomy/Physiology I & II (BIOL B32 (4units) &B33 (4 units)) or equivalent and PHTA B50 Introduction to PTA (2 units).
• Clinical placements will require background check and drug screen prior to clinical courses.
• Applications due by November 1st each year for spring semester. Upon admission to the program, you must have the following:
  1. Current American Heart Association Health Care Provider CPR Card
  2. Health Clearance (Immunizations and Physical Exam)
  3. Current California Driver's License
  4. Current California automobile insurance and use of an automobile.

PTA Technical Required Coursework After Admission into the PTA Program

Semester	Course	Units
1st	PHTA B51 Kinesiology for the PTA	3
	PHTA B52 Physical Agents/Modalities for the PTA	3
	PHTA B90A PTA Skills Lab Beginner	1
2nd	PHTA 60 Orthopedics for the PTA	3
	PHTA 61 Pathophysiology for the PTA	2
	PHTA 62 Acute Care/Inpatient Interventions for the PTA	3
	PHTA 63 Administration/Laws/Regulations for the PTA	2
	PHTA 64 Clinical Education I for the PTA	3
	PHTA B90B PTA Skills Lab Intermediate	1
3rd	PHTA B70 Neurorehabilitation for the PTA	3
	PHTA B71 Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation for the PTA	3
	PHTA B72 Therapeutic Exercise for the PTA	4
	PHTA B90C PTA Skills Lab Advanced	1
4th	PHTA B80 Clinical Education II	5
	PHTA B81 Clinical Education III	6
	PHTA B82 Professional Development for the PTA	1
Totals	PTA Technical Course Units Required	44
	Minimum Support Course Units	0
	Total Units Required	44

Recommended Physical Therapist Assistant General Education Pattern for Associate of Science, but any approved course in BC's A.S. Pattern will be accepted for graduation. (See Counselor for more information)

1. A. Communication (6 units)
   • A.1 Oral Communication (3 units): Comm B1 recommended; Any course listed in Area A.1 of the Gen Ed Pattern in the BC Catalog.
   • A.2 Written Communication (3 units): ENGL B1A
2. B. Physical Universe and Life Forms (4 units)
   • B.1 Natural Sciences (4-8 units): BIOL B18 or BIOL B32 & BIOL B33- prerequisite courses
   • B.2 Mathematics and Logic (3-5 units): MATH B27 recommended
3. C. Arts, Literature, Philosophy, and Foreign Language (3-5 units)
   • PHIL B12 recommended, or any course in Area C: Gen Ed Pattern in the BC Catalog.
4. D. Social, Political, Legal and Economic Institutions & Behavior, Historical Background (6 units)
   • D.1 Foundations int he Behavioral Sciences (3 units): PSYCH B1A recommended, or any course listed in Area D.1 in the BC Catalog.
   • OR D.2 Foundations in the Social Sciences (3 units): Any course listed in Area D.2 in the BC Catalog.
5. AND D.3 American (U.S. Institutions) (3 units): Any course listed in Area D.3 in the BC Catalog.
   • Remember to choose a class that meets the multicultural requirement if you have not already done so. PSYCH B1A meets the multicultural requirement.
6. E. Lifelong Understanding and Self-Development (4 unit)
   • E: Lifelong Understanding and Development (3 units): COMM B2 recommended, or Any course listed in Area E Lifelong Understanding and Development in the BC Catalog.
   • AND Physical Education - 1 unit required from PHED courses listed in the BC Catalog.