HEALTH PROFESSIONS: Physical Therapist Assistant

• Associate of Applied Science Degree: Physical Therapist Assistant (180)

Physical therapist assistants are trained to give physical therapy treatments to improve function, relieve pain, and promote healing for patients disabled by illnesses, accidents, and disabilities. Graduates choose from a wide range of employment settings including clinics, hospitals, rehabilitation centers, nursing homes, home health-care facilities, sports-medicine clinics, private industry, and schools.

Licensure is required in most states. To become licensed, program graduates must pass a national licensure examination. A physical therapist assistant must work under the supervision of a physical therapist.

This program admits 25-30 students each fall semester. Applications must be received by April 1 for students entering the technical aspect of the program in the fall semester. Transcripts from other colleges attended must be sent to Tidewater Community College, Central Records Office/Office of the College Registrar, Box 9000, Norfolk, Virginia, 23509, and be evaluated prior to the application deadline date.

Prerequisites include: high school graduation or GED, general biology or chemistry within the past five years if taken in high school or within the past 10 years if taken in college, readiness for ENG 111 and MTH 3, minimum GPA of 2.0 in all college courses, minimum of 40 hours (20 hours in each of two different practice settings) of volunteer or paid work at a physical therapy facility, and two recommendation forms from instructors, employers or clinicians.

Once accepted, students must have current CPR certification updated annually at the professional rescuer level, a documented medical examination, including an annual TB test, and maintain a C average or better to remain in good standing. Students are readmitted to the program at the discretion of the director and according to availability.

Students are wholly responsible for all transportation to and from clinical facilities and are financially responsible for their clinical uniforms and laboratory clothes.

This program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education, American Physical Therapy Association, 1111 North Fairfax Street, Alexandria, VA, 22314, (703) 706-3245.

Associate of Applied Science Degree: Physical Therapist Assistant (180)

1        Eligible courses are listed on page 34 in the 2009-2010 catalog.  See your academic

          advisor or counselor to choose the appropriate course(s).

Contact(s):

• Physical Therapist Assistant Program
• Health Professions Division ~ 757 - 822 - 7255
• TCC Information Center