Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA)
PTA 1003.0 UNITS
Preparing for Careers in Physical Therapy
Class Hours: 3.0 Lecture
Total Contact Hours: 54 Lecture
This course introduces students to the field of physical therapy in the rehabilitation setting. Topics covered include documentation in the medical record, interviewing patients, therapeutic interaction with patients and their caregivers, problem identification and helpful responses, assertive roles in rehabilitation, cultural sensitivity, working with persons with disabilities, and patient/family teaching.
Transfer Credit: CSU
PTA 1104.0 UNITS
Introduction to Physical Therapy
Class Hours: 3.0 Lecture / 3.0 Laboratory
Total Contact Hours: 54 Lecture / 54 Laboratory
Prerequisite: Admission into Physical Therapist Assistant Program.
This course will introduce the student to the history and ethics of physical therapy as they relate to the health care system; the development of the team approach and the philosophy of rehabilitation; the use of physical agents and interventions; body mechanics and proper handling of patients; vital signs and their relationship to patient care.
Transfer Credit: CSU
PTA 1204.0 UNITS
Kinesiology
Class Hours: 3.0 Lecture / 3.0 Laboratory
Total Contact Hours: 54 Lecture / 54 Laboratory
Prerequisite: Admission to the Physical Therapist Assistant Program
This course is the study of biomechanical principles of human movement and locomotion including specific kinesiological functions of muscles and muscle groups, characteristics of normal posture and gait, and an introduction to the clinical manifestations of muscle dysfunction. Laboratory hours will be used for goniometry, gait observation, muscle action application, and practice.
Transfer Credit: CSU
PTA 1253.0 UNITS
Pathology
Class Hours: 3.0 Lecture
Total Contact Hours: 54 Lecture
Prerequisite: PTA 110 or equivalent with a grade of Credit or "C" or higher.
This course will include introduction to and instruction in observation of common pathological conditions. Emphasis will be placed on the following systems: musculoskeletal, circulatory, respiratory, gastrointestinal, and genitourinary.
Transfer Credit: CSU
PTA 1264.0 UNITS
Clinical Practicum I
Class Hours: 12.3 Laboratory
Total Contact Hours: 221 Laboratory
This course is designed to give the student an initial exposure to physical therapy interventions. Students will practice application of heat and cold physical agents, gait and transfer training and medical record review under the direction of the physical therapy clinical instructor. The laboratory experience involves training in one or more physical therapy settings as designated by the instructor. Uniforms are required. This course is offered on a pass/no pass basis only.
Transfer Credit: CSU
PTA 1283.0 UNITS
Physical Therapy Aspects of Growth and Development
Class Hours: 3.0 Lecture
Total Contact Hours: 54 Lecture
Prerequisite: Acceptance into the Physical Therapist Assistant Program.
This course will introduce the student to concepts and physical therapy principles applied to the developmental process from gestation through adulthood. Emphasis will be placed on neurodevelopment techniques used for abnormal development and for patients with neurological or musculoskeletal disorders occurring in those age groups.
Transfer Credit: CSU
PTA 1291.5 UNITS
Physical Therapy Aspects of Aging and Integumentary Management
Class Hours: 1.5 Lecture
Total Contact Hours: 27 Lecture
Prerequisite: Acceptance into the Physical Therapist Assistant Program.
This course will introduce the student to concepts and physical therapy principles applied to the aging process, including management of integumentary problems. Emphasis will be placed on pathologies and physical therapy interventions for disabilities in aging, burns, and wounds.
Transfer Credit: CSU
PTA 1301.0 UNITS
Soft Tissue Interventions
Class Hours: 3.0 Laboratory
Total Contact Hours: 54 Laboratory
Prerequisite: PTA 120 or equivalent with a grade of "C" or higher or "Pass."
This course introduces students to interventions for the neuromusculoskeletal and myofascial system. Content includes the philosophy of care, facilitation of mechanical, neurological and physiological changes and documentation of interventions. Specific topics covered are soft tissue assessment and treatment techniques, release, and scar tissue intervention. This course is not open to students who have received credit for PTA 127.
Transfer Credit: CSU
PTA 2304.0 UNITS
Therapeutic Exercise
Class Hours: 3.0 Lecture / 3.0 Laboratory
Total Contact Hours: 54 Lecture / 54 Laboratory
Prerequisite: PTA 120 or equivalent with a grade of Credit or "C" or higher.
This course is for second year physical therapist assistant majors. Therapeutic exercise introduces the student to the use of exercise as a preventive and intervention mechanism for pathological conditions which influence strength, endurance and flexibility of the human body. Emphasis is placed upon identification and application of exercise, developmental sequence of exercise, types of exercise, and the use of exercise equipment. Instruction includes the body's physiological response to exercise.
Transfer Credit: CSU
PTA 2332.0 UNITS
Prosthetics and Orthotics for Allied Health Professionals
Class Hours: 2.0 Lecture
Total Contact Hours: 36 Lecture
This course is an introduction to the application of prosthetics and orthotic devices in the rehabilitation process of persons with disabilities. Included in the course is a survey of commonly used devices, principles of fitting and alignment, criteria for selection of various components, instruction in donning, removing and maintenance of prostheses and orthoses, patient education in use of devices, and development of skill in fabrication of plaster positioning splints for upper and lower extremities.
Transfer Credit: CSU
PTA 2353.0 UNITS
Neurology
Class Hours: 3.0 Lecture
Total Contact Hours: 54 Lecture
Prerequisite: PTA 120 or equivalent with a grade of Credit or "C" or higher.
This course is designed to increase the student's knowledge in the anatomy and physiology of the nervous system. Information regarding the central, peripheral and autonomic systems is provided. Emphasis will be placed on the clinical manifestations of disease or injury to the nervous system as it relates to clinical problems encountered in physical therapy.
Transfer Credit: CSU
PTA 2364.0 UNITS
Clinical Practicum II
Class Hours: 12.3 Laboratory
Total Contact Hours: 221 Laboratory
Prerequisite: PTA 125 or equivalent with a grade of Pass or "C" or higher.
This course is designed to teach the student the necessary intervention skills for physical therapy patient care. These skills will include active, passive and resistive exercise programs, as well as continued practice in physical agent application, gait and transfer training. Students will also learn fundamental procedures for clinical education from direct teaching and evaluation of learning. Laboratory experience involves training in one or more physical therapy settings as designated by the instructor. Student uniforms are required. This course is offered on a pass/no pass basis only.
Transfer Credit: CSU
PTA 2402.0 UNITS
Activities of Daily Living
Class Hours: 2.0 Lecture
Total Contact Hours: 36 Lecture
Prerequisite: PTA 230 or equivalent with a grade of Credit or "C" or higher.
This course will present instruction in the functional rehabilitation of the disabled. Emphasis will be on understanding and utilization of the physical therapy evaluation for implementation of intervention programs. This course will present clinical instruction activities of daily living training techniques, wheelchair fitting, and professional presentations.
Transfer Credit: CSU
PTA 2453.0 UNITS
Advanced Modalities
Class Hours: 2.0 Lecture / 3.0 Laboratory
Total Contact Hours: 36 Lecture / 54 Laboratory
Prerequisite: PTA 235 or equivalent with a grade of Credit or "C" or higher.
This course is a study of the specific advanced physical therapy interventions and physical agents which are employed in the physical therapy clinic and which require greater expertise in their application.
Transfer Credit: CSU
PTA 2464.0 UNITS
Clinical Affiliation
Class Hours: 12.3 Laboratory
Total Contact Hours: 221 Laboratory
Prerequisite: PTA 235 or equivalent with a grade of Pass or "C" or higher
This course will provide supervised instruction in activities of daily living training techniques; wheelchair fitting; types of orthotic and prosthetic devices and their proper application; and splinting and bandaging procedures in selected clinical facilities. Experiences will be in acute rehabilitation or out-patient physical therapy settings. Student uniforms are required. This course is offered on a pass/no pass basis only.
Transfer Credit: CSU
PTA 2501.0 UNITS
Licensure Examination Preparation
Class Hours: 1.0 Lecture
Total Contact Hours: 18 Lecture
Prerequisite: PTA 246 or prior completion or equivalent
This course is designed to assist the Physical Therapist Assistant student to prepare for the national and state law licensing examinations. Content will include the application process, the testing milieu, testing strategies, preparatory study techniques, and a review of material from the Content Outline published by the test editors.
Transfer Credit: CSU
PTA 2981.0 UNITS
Directed Studies
A course to provide opportunity for individual research and field projects under the direction of a faculty member in a given department. With the guidance of the faculty member, students prepare and carry out a written learning agreement describing the purposes and outcomes of the project. Students should expect to meet with the supervising faculty member one to two hours each week for conferences. Credit is based upon the number of hours in the semester expected to complete the project (1 unit for 54 hours). This course may be taken a maximum of 2 times. For selected disciplines, UC transfer credit may be possible after admission to a UC campus, pending review of appropriate course materials by UC staff. See a counselor for an explanation.
Transfer Credit: CSU
PTA 2992.0 UNITS
Directed Studies
A course to provide opportunity for individual research and field projects under the direction of a faculty member in a given department. With the guidance of the faculty member, students prepare and carry out a written learning agreement describing the purposes and outcomes of the project. Students should expect to meet with the supervising faculty member one to two hours each week for conferences. Credit is based upon the number of hours in the semester expected to complete the project (2 units for 108 hours). This course may be taken a maximum of 2 times. For selected disciplines, UC transfer credit may be possible after admission to a UC campus, pending review of appropriate course materials by UC staff. See a counselor for an explanation.
Transfer Credit: CSU