Physical Therapist Assistant Program

Course Code	Title	Units
BI 013	Human Anatomy and Physiology I	4
BI 014	Human Anatomy and Physiology II	5
PSY 001 or PSY 003	General Psychology or Developmental Psychology	3
PHIL 006 or PHIL 013 or PHIL 014	Introduction to Philosophy or Perspectives on Death & Dying or Introduction to Ethics (preferred); however, any course from Area C3 is acceptable	3
ENG 001a	English Composition	4
Math 040 or Math 45 or Math 049 or College Level Math	Intermediate Algebra or Pre-Statistics or College Level Math	3-4
KINE 008	Introduction to Kinesiology	3

 

The Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) Program admits a maximum of 25 students once per year. Admission is by random selection of eligible candidates.

For admission in the Physical Therapist Assistant program students must have completed the prerequisite and general education courses with grades of "C" or better, and have an overall GPA of 2.75 or higher in those classes and a GPA for Anatomy and Physiology of 2.4 or higher. If applying without all courses completed. Courses not yet completed/currently enrolled in will be calculated into the student’s GPA as a “C” grade.

If accepted for admission, students must provide updated transcripts verifying satisfactory completion of unfinished coursework by the end of the spring semester in which they applied.  All transfer courses must be approved.

1. Apply to College of the Desert

2. Submit official transcripts (Only for classes taken at other colleges)

3. Meet with COD counselor and request formal transcript evaluation (Only needed for classes taken at other colleges)

Transfer Equivalencies

4.Submit application for the Physical Therapist Assistant Program. 

PTA 001 - Introduction to Physical Therapy

This course will introduce students to the field of physical therapy by covering the history and ethics of the profession as they relate to the health care system. The course will cover the development of the team approach in health care delivery, philosophies of rehabilitation, patient relationships, and the psychosocial impact of illness and injury. Also emphasized is the scope of practice of the physical therapist assistant. Course content includes observational experiences in patient care settings. The course will also introduce verbal and nonverbal communication skills utilized in health care. Emphasis will be placed on terminology, format, computer use, reimbursement, interpersonal communication, and legal issues. Upon completion, the student will be able to discuss and demonstrate communication skills necessary for effective interaction with patients, families, and other health care providers.

PTA 002 - Pathophysiology I

This course introduces common pathological conditions with emphasis on the following systems: cardiovascular, respiratory, gastrointestinal, genitourinary, hematologic, hepatic, immune, integumentary, and lymphatic. The role of physical therapy in the treatment of these conditions is covered as well as interventions commonly performed by the physical therapist assistant. 

PTA 003 - Therapeutic Procedures I

This course provides hand-on instruction of the principles and procedures of physical therapy interventions most commonly utilized in the inpatient setting, such as bed mobility, transfers, and gait training. Upon completion, the student will be able to demonstrate safe and effective delivery of taught procedures and provide an explanation of the rationale for each treatment.

PTA 004 - Therapeutic Procedures II

This course is a continuation of Therapeutic Procedures I. The course is a study on the principles, procedures, and rationale behind physical therapy intervention most commonly performed in the outpatient setting. Upon completion, the student will be able to demonstrate safe and effective delivery of all taught interventions.

PTA 005 - Kinesiology Lab

This lab course allows for the hands-on learning of functional anatomy and kinesiology. Focus will include muscle and joint function, ROM/strength testing, palpation skills and exercise concepts.

PTA 006 - Pathophysiology II

This course provides a more in-depth look at presentation and treatment methods of cardiac and pulmonary conditions and also addresses less common pathophysiology processes not covered in Pathophysiology I. Common impairments seen with each pathology along with the physical therapy assistant's role in addressing these impairments will be covered. The lab portion of the course will emphasize treatment techniques for the cardiac and pulmonary patient

PTA 007 - Neuroscience

This course provides students with an overview of the neuroanatomy of the CNS and PNS, as it relates to treatment of patients with dysfunction in these systems. Emphasis includes structure and function of the nervous system, neurophysiological concepts, growth and development, and neurologic dysfunction. Upon completion of this course, the student should be able to identify and discuss specific neuroanatomical structures, basic functions of the nervous system, concepts of human growth and development, identify
neurological pathologies and test for normal neurologic response and function.

PTA 009 - Functional Anatomy + Kinesiology

This course is a continuation of Introduction to Kinesiology and deals with the biomechanical principles of the cervical spine, thoracic spine, lumbar spine, upper extremities, and lower extremities of the body. The course includes the kinesiological functions of muscles and muscle groups. Clinical manifestations of muscle dysfunction are covered, as well as techniques for joint measurement. Assessment by manual muscle testing, ROM testing and activities of daily living are presented.

PTA 010 - Physical Therapy Issues and Trends

The course will introduce current trends and issues in the physical therapy field. Emphasis will be placed on practice issues and psychosocial aspects of illness and cultural diversity, with discussion on future of physical therapy and advocacy.

PTA 011 - Therapeutic Procedures III

This course is a continuation of study of the principles and procedures of therapeutic Physical Therapy intervention, with emphasis placed on specialized physical therapy interventions and procedure for special populations. Students will learn how to instruct and prepare the patient to utilize this specialized equipment. Problem solving will be utilized in assisting students to apply standardized practices to meet individual patient needs.

PTA 012 - Clinical Fieldwork I

This is the first full-time clinical assignment in the PTA program in which students perform delegated patient care responsibilities in a physical therapy clinical setting, under the supervision of a licensed physical therapist. Students will practice the application of physical therapy procedures according to the setting such as the acute, sub-acute, outpatient, skilled nursing, or other type of physical therapy/rehabilitation clinical facility. Facility will be assigned by program faculty.

PTA 013 - Clinical Fieldwork II

This is the second full-time clinical assignment in the Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) program in which students perform delegated patient care responsibilities in a physical therapy clinical setting, under the supervision of a licensed physical therapist.
Students will practice application of physical therapy procedures according to the setting such as the acute, sub-acute, outpatient, skilled nursing, or other type of physical therapy/rehabilitation clinical facility. Facility will be assigned by program faculty.

PTA 014 - Physical Therapist Assistant Seminar

This course is a capstone of the Physical Therapist Program. It is a study of the issues and trends in physical therapy practice. Emphasis is placed on issues such as licensure, job skills, board exam reviews, practitioners' roles, legal and ethical issues. Upon
completion the student will have the necessary skills to transition from student to practitioner

Please note that costs are estimated. Depending on insurance coverage and financial assistance, costs may vary. Total cost of the program is estimated at $3,373 with no health insurance coverage or financial assistance.

Cost Estimate for PTA Program

Item	Cost
Tuition - Residents of CA ($46/unit)	$598.00 1 $529.00 2 $759.00 3
Student Fees and Malpractice Insurance	$58.00 1 $58.00 2 $58.00 3
Physical Therapy Skills Kit	$90.00
APTA Membership	$103.00
Textbooks	$500.00
ID Badge	$10.00
Health Records and Vaccinations	$500.00
Background Check	$60.00
Drug Screen	$50.00
Total by Term	$1,969.00 1 $587.00 2 $817.00 3
NPTE Exam*	$485.00
California Jurisprudence Exam*	$65.00
LiveScan for Licensure*	$49.00
Total After Program Costs	$599.00
Total Cost of Program	$3,373.00
Total with Licensure	$3,972.00

Table Notes:
^* After Program Cost
¹ Cost During First Term
² Cost During Second Term
³ Cost During Third Term

Application + Matriculation

Cohort Year	2023	2024
Number of Applicants	42	43
Number of students enrolled after add/drop period	21	22

 

Dr. Matthew Wilson PT, DPT - Program Director, Clinical Education Coordinator

mawilson@collegeofthedesert.edu 

(760)565-4839

Dr. D'Arcy Hlavin PT, DPT, OCS

dhlavin@collegeofthedesert.edu 

 

The Physical Therapist Assistant Program at College of the Desert 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: http://www.capteonline.org. If needing to contact the program/institution directly, please call 760-773-2578 or email PTAAdmissions@collegeofthedesert.edu.

Student Handbook

Clinical Education Handbook