Department website: https://www.cerritos.edu/pta/

The Physical Therapist Assistant is a skilled technical health worker who performs physical therapy interventions under the direction of a Physical Therapist. Technical Standards/Essential Functions are available for your review on the program’s website. They have been designed to give you more information about the profession and important skills/functions. This information will be helpful to assist you in deciding on your career path.

Accreditation

The Physical Therapist Assistant Program at Cerritos College is accredited by the

Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE)
1111 North Fairfax Street
Alexandria, Virginia 22314-1488
telephone: 703-684-2782
email: accreditation@apta.org
website: http://www.capteonline.org

Length and Kind of Program

The program is four semesters in length. General Education and Physical Therapist Assistant classes are scheduled on the college campus. Correlated clinical experiences begin the second semester and continue throughout the program. These experiences take place at selected hospitals and clinics in Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, Ventura, and San Bernardino counties usually during regular business hours.

Admission Requirements (Prerequisites)

1. General Education Requirements
   1. Completion of ENGL 100  (English) or equivalent with a grade of “C” or higher or satisfactory completion of the English Placement Process.
   2. Pass intermediate algebra college courses or MATH courses numbered 100 or above, or PSYC 210, ECON 210, or equivalent with a grade of "C" or higher or "Pass"
   3. Meet the Reading proficiency requirement for AA Degree Plan A as described in the Cerritos College Catalog.
2. A&P 150 and A&P 151 or equivalent courses with grades of “C” or higher. A five-unit minimum combined anatomy and physiology course with a lab can be substituted to meet this requirement. However, eight units of anatomy and physiology with lab is preferred.
3. An overall grade point average of 2.0 must be attained prior to admission to the Physical Therapist Assistant Program, and a grade of “C” or higher must be attained for each General Education course.
4. Courses in progress at the time of application must be verified by a work-in-progress report from the instructor showing a grade of “C” or higher. Those courses must then be completed with a grade of “C” or higher and verified by an official transcript for admission to the program.A

Application and Acceptance Procedures

1. Complete application to the program. This can be obtained in the Health Occupations Division Office, or online at https://www.cerritos.edu/pta/. The application and all supporting documents must be submitted by April 15. Incomplete and/or late applications will not be considered.
2. Submit one official transcript from each college attended to the Health Occupations Division office with your application no later than April 15. Official transcripts may be sent directly to the
   Health Occupations Division
   11110 Alondra Boulevard
   Norwalk, CA 90650.
   
   Notes: Official transcripts sent to the Admissions and Records Office will not be forwarded to the Health Occupations Office for inclusion in the application file.
3. Work-in-progress reports from the instructor are due by April 15.
4. If you would like a counselor to review your transcript (optional), please make an appointment with the counseling department at (562) 860-2451, extension 2231. Many questions can be answered by e-mail via the online counseling link, www.cerritos.edu/counseling.
5. All work experience as a physical therapist aide must be verified by a letter from your employer stating you are/were a paid employee, giving your job title, and dates of employment. Work experience in related medical fields must also be verified in the same way. To receive credit for volunteer work, documentation from site must show at least six months of volunteer service. Students will only receive credit in one category of work experience (P.T. Aide or related medical field or volunteer).
6. Application packets will be evaluated after April 15. Documents to be reviewed include the application, official transcripts, working-progress reports, and work verification. It is the applicant’s responsibility to verify that all required documentation has been received by the Health Occupations Division before April 15. Clearances are verified and/or points are assigned using following considerations:
   1. Admission Requirements (Prerequisites)
   2. Verified/volunteer experience in the field or work experience in related medical fields
   3. Related course work in medical and science classes
   4. General Education requirements. Point system details are available on the program website.
7. Notification of acceptance or non-acceptance will be mailed after June 15.

After Acceptance and Prior to Enrollment

1. CPR for Healthcare Provider - You must present a valid CPR card for Healthcare Provider offered through the American Heart Association prior to the beginning of the program. Card must be valid throughout the duration of the program.
2. Health Clearance - Applicants must present evidence of physical fitness and ability to perform tasks required of a physical therapist assistant. Physical exam, lab, x-rays, and immunization records must be cleared and verified after acceptance into the program.
3. Criminal Background Check - Clinical placements are a mandatory component of the curriculum and will require clearance of a criminal background check. Students who do not clear agency requirements are not eligible for clinical placement and will, consequently, be ineligible to continue in the program. If there is any concern regarding clearance of a criminal background check, please contact the Health Occupations Division for additional information.
4. A drug screen may be required depending on the internship site (determined during the clinical placement process).
5. If admitted to the program, failure to present the required documents described above by the deadline may result in reversal of acceptance or dismissal from the program.

Expenses

Enrollment fees, lab fees, uniforms, physical exam/immunizations, background check, books, and supplies will cost approximately $3,500. Students are responsible for their own living accommodations, uniform laundry, and transportation to selected hospitals and clinics. Upon successful completion of all program requirements, the student will be eligible to receive and wear the Physical Therapist Assistant pin which is given at a graduation ceremony. The cost of the pin is the responsibility of the student.

Attendance and Scholarship

All students are expected to comply with the attendance requirements of the College and of the Physical Therapist Assistant Program. To remain in the program, the student must maintain a “C” or higher in all courses. Uniforms are required in all hospital lab classes (PTA 126 Clinical Practicum I, PTA 236 Clinical Practicum II, and PTA 246 Clinical Affiliation).

Program Progression/Completion

Successful completion of all levels of course work is necessary for completion of and graduation from the program of study. In order to complete the program, the student must maintain a grade of “C” or higher whether enrolled in combined lecture/lab courses, practicums, or clinical experiences. When content is tiered, each level must be completed according to identified criteria. Upon successful completion of all program requirements, students are eligible to receive the Associate in Science degree.

Licensure

Successful completion of the Physical Therapist Assistant Program and Associate in Science Degree qualifies the graduate to take the National Examination for Physical Therapist Assistants and the California Laws Test for Physical Therapist Assistant licensure. The California Physical Therapy Board requires all licensure applicants to provide a valid U.S. Social Security Number. Additional information regarding licensure requirements, fees, etc. can be found on their website: http://www.ptbc.ca.gov.

Program Student Learning Outcomes

• Students value the the patient's culture, customs, ethnicity, and values.
• Students utilize legal and ethical professional practices while conducting physical therapy.
• Students employ effective documentation, oral and written communication skills in all settings.
• Students apply safe and effective patient-centered interventions using sound reasoning.

Program Requirements

Course List

Code Number	Course Title	Units
Required Core
A&P 150	Introduction to Human Anatomy	4.0
A&P 151	Introduction to Human Physiology	4.0
ENGL 100	Freshman Composition	4.0
MATH 100 level course or higher		4.0
MA 161	Medical Terminology	3.0
PSYC 101	General Introductory Psychology	3.0
COMM 100	Introduction to Communications Studies	3.0
U. S. History or American Government		3.0
Humanities or Fine Arts		3.0
First Year
First Semester
PTA 110	Introduction to Physical Therapy	4.0
PTA 120	Kinesiology	4.0
Second Semester
PTA 125	Pathology	3.0
PTA 126	Clinical Practicum I	4.0
PTA 128	Physical Therapy Aspects of Growth and Development	3.0
PTA 130	Soft Tissue Interventions	1.0
PTA 235	Neurology	3.0
Second Year
First Semester
PTA 230	Therapeutic Exercise	4.0
PTA 233	Prosthetics and Orthotics for Allied Health Professionals	2.0
PTA 236	Clinical Practicum II	4.0
PTA 129	Physical Therapy Aspects of Aging and Integumentary Management 1	1.5
Second Semester
PTA 240	Activities of Daily Living	2.0
PTA 245	Advanced Modalities	3.0
PTA 246	Clinical Affiliation	4.0
PTA 250	Licensure Examination Preparation	1.0
Total Units		74.5

¹

Class may be offered in summer session between first and second year.

See Cerritos College Graduation Requirements.

ASSOCIATE OF SCIENCE DEGREE REQUIREMENTS

Complete the requirements above and General Education Requirements for CSU transfer or IGETC and any needed electives for a minimum of 60 units. The following courses are recommended for Physical Therapist Assistant students to complete the general education requirements.