Program Information
A.S. Degree - Code 221600 - Catalog 2024/2025
Robert Wagner, Assistant Chair, 386-506-3752, Robert.Wagner@daytonastate.edu
Melissa Brown, Academic Advisor, 386-506-3052, Melissa.Brown-Mack@daytonastate.edu
Program Mission, Description, and Outcomes
Mission:
The Physical Therapist Assistant Program promotes the ideals of the Daytona State College Mission Statement of emphasizing student success, embracing excellence and diversity, as well as fostering innovation to enhance teaching and learning. Each student in the PTA Program will receive academic and clinical experiences to provide them with a professional foundation to become an effective, responsible, licensed and contributing team member in Physical Therapy.
Description:
The program prepares graduates to work in physical therapy. Physical Therapy is a health and rehabilitation profession that provides services to individuals of all ages with physical dysfunction including those suffering from strokes, heart disease, arthritis, diabetes, serious burns, neurological and orthopedic disorders. The profession tailors the rehabilitation process individually for each patient and through evaluation and treatment, seeks to restore or improve impaired functions. Physical therapy strives to help patients attain a maximum level of independent living by developing the capacities that remain after disease, accident or deformity. Job title: Physical Therapist Assistant. The Physical Therapist Assistant program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education. Graduates, upon completion of the program, apply for state licensure.
Program Accreditation: This program is accredited by the Commission on the Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) - 1111 N. Fairfax Street, Alexandria, VA 22314. (703) 706-3245. email: accreditation@apta.org; website: http://www.capteonline.org/. If needing to contact the program/institution directly, please call 386-506-3752 or email Robert.Wagner@DaytonaState.edu.
College Accreditation: Daytona State College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award associates and bachelor’s degrees. Degree-granting institutions also may offer credentials such as certificates and diplomas at approved degree levels. Questions about the accreditation of Daytona State College may be directed in writing to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097, by calling (404) 679-4500, or by using information available on SACSCOC’s website (www.sacscoc.org).
Outcomes:
Graduates of the program will be able to:
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Integrate scientific principles which form the foundation of physical therapy into clinical practice.
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Differentiate the normal vs. abnormal states of physiology that are observed and/or treated in the clinical setting.
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Describe his/her role and responsibilities to the patient, the physician, the physical therapist and other members of the health care team.
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Perform interventions, under the supervision of the physical therapist, consistent with evidenced-based physical therapy practice safely, effectively and efficiently.
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Analyze and evaluate the physical therapy literature in pursuit of life long learning.
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Value active participation in the American Physical Therapy Association, the Florida Chapter and East Central District as means of professional development.
Financial Aid
This program is eligible for federal financial aid and state Bright Futures Scholarship Program.
Financing Options: All students are encouraged to apply for federal and state student financial assistance by completing the FAFSA at studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa. For more information on grant, loans, and work program available please see the Office of Financial Aid webpage at daytonastate.edu/finaid. Students are also encouraged to apply for one of the many Daytona State College Foundation scholarships offered each semester. For more information see: daytonastate.edu/scholarships/.
Approximate Additional Costs
| Lab Fees (including liability insurance): |
$2 |
| Textbooks Estimate: |
$1,000 |
| Uniforms: |
$100 |
| Laboratory Supplies: |
$100 |
| Licensure Fees: |
$755 |
| FDLE/FBI Background Screening: |
$180 |
Additional Admission Requirements
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This is a limited access program. Continuing enrollment approval will be required to enroll in the program specific courses based on a selection process after completing the General Education classes required.
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Complete a minimum of 20 hours of observation with a licensed Physical Therapist or P.T.A. (Physical Therapist Assistant) evenly distributed between at least 2 different types of physical therapy settings - outpatient, inpatient, and long-term care. Some facilities may require a background check.
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Students must have a standard high school diploma (or GED) and be at least 18 years of age to enroll.
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Applicants starting in a Florida Public high school in 2003 or after and graduating from a Florida public high school with a standard high school diploma and active duty military are exempt from any placement testing. Those applicants that have successfully completed college level English and/or Math may be exempt from placement testing. All other applicants are required to take the Postsecondary Education Readiness Test (PERT) and be at the 10th grade level for reading, language and arithmetic.
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Attendance at a program information session is required. Dates will be announced.
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Admissions into the program will be contingent on the satisfactory completion of both a drug screen and a background check consisting of a fingerprint check of state and federal criminal history information conducted through the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). A second screening will be required in the third semester of the program.
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Basic Cardiac Life Support (BLS) certification for health care providers to include adults, infants, children, and AED affiliated with the American Heart Association or American Red Cross.
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Program corequisites and Physical Therapist Assistant courses must be completed with a grade of 'C' or better.
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Completion of health screening to include: recent physical examination; verification of immunization against tetanus, measles, mumps, rubella, varicella and Hepatitis 'B'; and PPD test for tuberculosis (or chest X-ray if indicated) is required prior to enrolling in program.
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Students will be held accountable for the policies and procedures of the Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) program as outlined in the PTA student handbook, as well as the College Student handbook.
Additional Completion Requirements
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Submit the completed application for continuing enrollment to the School of Health Careers.
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Program starts annually in January; applications are only submitted during the month of September.
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Completion of the following courses with a grade of 'C' or better is required before submitting a request for continuing enrollment: BSC1085C (Human Anatomy & Physiology I and Lab), ENC1101 (Introduction to Composition), PHT1006 (Introduction to Physical Therapy), and MAC1105 (College Algebra) or MGF2130 (Mathematical Thinking).
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Cumulative grade point average of 2.5 or better to apply for continuing enrollment.
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Student selection for continuing enrollment will be based on a point system. Applicants considered for continuing enrollment will be contacted for an interview. Applicants for continuing enrollment that have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better and have successfully completed all prerequisite and all corequisites by the application deadline will be ranked higher for program consideration.
General Education Courses
General Education Core - 20 Credits
Communication Core (3 credits)
| ENC1101 | Introduction to Composition | 3 |
Mathematics Core (3 credits)
Choose One Course
Natural Sciences Core (8 credits)
| BSC1085C | Human Anatomy and Physiology I and Lab | 4 |
| BSC1086C | Human Anatomy & Physiology II and Lab | 4 |
Humanities Core (3 credits)
Choose One Course
Social Sciences Core (3 credits)
| POS2041 | American Federal Government | 3 |
| AMH2020 | United States History 1865 to Present | 3 |
| AMH2010 | United States History to 1877 | 3 |
POS2041, AMH2020, AMH2010: These courses satisfy the Civic Literacy Competency graduation requirement.
Note: Prior to enrollment in college-level English or math courses, some students may be advised to complete college preparatory/developmental course work. See an Academic Advisor to determine developmental course requirements.
Program Specific Courses
PHT1006 fulfills the graduation requirement for the basic use of computers for this program.
PHT1251 fulfills the graduation requirement for Oral Communications for this program.
Sample Program of Study
Prerequisite Courses
| ENC1101 | Introduction to Composition | 3 |
| Mathematics Core | 3 |
| PHT1006 | Introduction to Physical Therapy | 3 |
| BSC1085C | Human Anatomy and Physiology I and Lab | 4 |
PHT1006 fulfills the graduation requirement for the basic use of computers for this program.
Year 1
1st Semester (Pro. Phase) Spring
PHT1251 fulfills the graduation requirement for Oral Communications for this program.
2nd Semester - Summer
| Social Sciences Core - Civic Literacy (AMH2010, AMH2020 or POS2041) | 3 |
| PHT2211 | Modalities I | 2 |
| PHT2211L | Modalities I Lab | 1 |
| PHT2221 | Therapeutic Exercise II | 4 |
| PHT2221L | Therapeutic Exercise II Lab | 2 |
| PHT2129 | Neuroscience for PTA | 2 |
Year 2
1st Semester - Fall
2nd Semester - Spring
Total Credit Hours: 74