1. Do I need to apply to the PTA program in order to begin taking 1st year courses?  No, students only apply to the second year of the program.  The first year courses are general education courses and are beneficial in many areas of academic study. 
2. Do the courses have to be taken in the order listed?  No, the courses may be taken in any order, however some courses have prerequisites.  For example General Psychology is taken prior to Developmental Psychology.
3. I only lack Anatomy & Physiology 1 and 2, can I go ahead and apply to the second year of the PTA program?  All prerequisite (first year) courses must be completed by the beginning of the fall of the second year.  If you the courses can be completed in the summer prior to the beginning of the full time PTA second year (Fall Semester) then a student may apply to the program.  If accepted, their continuation in the second year would be contingent on successful completion of prerequisite courses.
4. I have had an Anatomy class at another school, can I take the second class at MSC?  The sequencing of A & P classes are not consistent across all schools, therefore it is important that if you take an A & P class at one school to take the second A & P class at that same school.  This will ensure that you do not miss important systems.  If you attend a school that teaches a full Anatomy classes (Human Anatomy) in a 4 or 5 hour format such as SOSU or ECU, then you should take a full Physiology (Human Physiology) class.
5. I have had a second psychology but it was not called Developmental Psychology, do I need another class?  There are several second psychology courses that are acceptable.  The purpose of this requirement is to provide students with an understanding of psychology over the life span with focus on early development.  If you have had a 2000 level or higher psychology course in child & adolescent psychology or life span psychology, this will most likely work for you.  Email the program director if you have questions about your prior course work.      

Schedule

Fall Semester -    M through F - 9:00am to 4:00pm each day

Spring Intersession - M through F - 8:00am to 5:00pm working in an assigned clinical setting

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Spring Intersession  

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Summer

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PTA 2102 - Anatomy and Movement

Prerequisite: Admission to the PTA Program or with special permission from instructor.  PTA 2102 is designed to aid students in the transition to the PTA program second year and provide foundational information regarding anatomy that will be the basis for further learning.  This course will be primarily taught on-line with 6 to 8 in-class days required.  This course will expand of student learning from A&P courses required in the first year.  This course will emphasize the skeletal, articular, muscular, and nervous system as they relate to the practice of physical therapy.  The course is designed to prepare the student for and to promote success in PTA 2144 and other future classes.  A good foundation in anatomy sets the stage for success in the PTA program second year.  Topics include anatomical terminology, identification of surface anatomy landmarks, and structure identification.

PTA 2112 -- Introduction to Physical Therapy. 

Prerequisite: Admission to the PTA Program.  This course is an orientation to the physical therapy profession.  Topics include:  history, professional organization, federal/state regulations, interpersonal relationship skills, medical terminology and documentation. This class will be taught through an on-line enhanced format.  Students will meet on four occasions during the summer and complete learning opportunities provided on-line.  Eight lecture hours with an estimated 12 additional hours to complete course requirements.  Credit:  Two semester hours.

PTA 2126 -- Physical Therapy Principles and Procedures I.  Prerequisite: Admission to the PTA Program, PTA 2102, and PTA 2112.  This course teaches the principles and techniques of selected physical therapy treatment methods.  These include:  aseptic technique, body mechanics, safety procedures, vital signs, positioning and draping, transfers,  traction, massage, superficial heat and cold, deep heat modalities, ultraviolet radiation and hydrotherapy.  Three lecture hours and six laboratory hours a week.  Credit:  Six semester hours.

PTA 2133 -- Medical and Surgical Conditions.  Prerequisite: Admission to the PTA Program, PTA 2102, and PTA 2112.  This course is the study of health and disease of all age groups introduced with an emphasis on the etiology, pathology, prevention, and treatment of selected medical and surgical conditions encountered in physical therapy.  Four lecture hours a week.  Credit:  Three semesters hours.

PTA 2144 -- Functional Anatomy and Kinesiology.  Prerequisite: Admission to the PTA Program, PTA 2102, and PTA 2112.  This course will cover the structure and function of the musculoskeletal system with an emphasis on the mechanical aspect of human action.  Muscle strength and flexibility testing, goniometry, introduction to therapeutic exercise and normal gait and posture will be covered.  Three lecture hours and six laboratory hours a week.  Credit:  Four semester hours.

PTA 2152 -- Clinical Practicum I.  Prerequisite:  PTA 2112, PTA 2126, PTA 2133 and PTA 2144.   This course is clinical observation and application of physical therapy procedures under the direction and supervision of clinical faculty.  Knowledge and skills learned in previous general education course work and prerequisite PTA courses are applied.  Three weeks (120 hours).  Location of clinical practicum will be assigned with transportation and housing being the responsibility of the student.  Credit:  Two semester hours.

PTA 2213 -- Physical Therapy Principles and Procedures II. Prerequisite:  PTA 2112, PTA 2126, PTA 2133, PTA 2144 and PTA 2152.  This course teaches additional physical therapy principles, techniques and pathologies and will incorporate information from prior PTA classes.  These include:  electrotherapy, neuromuscular re-education, chest physical therapy, compression therapy, pathological gait and burns.  Two lecture and two laboratory hours a week.  Credit: Three semester hours.

PTA 2234 -- Rehabilitation Techniques.  Prerequisites: PTA 2112, PTA 2126, PTA 2133, PTA 2144 and PTA 2152.  This course covers rehabilitative procedures, including techniques and procedures, involved in the rehabilitation of individuals of all age groups with disabilities resulting from various congenital or acquired conditions.  These conditions include arthritis, brain injury, amputation, spinal cord injury, cardiac conditions and genetic/congenital disorders.  The use of prosthetic, orthotic, and other assistive devices and technology will be addressed.  Three lecture and six  laboratory hours per week.  Credit: Four semester hours.

PTA 2223 -- Seminar in Physical Therapy.  Prerequisite: PTA 2112, PTA 2126, PTA 2133, PTA 2144 and PTA 2152.  This course covers topics to assist the student in the transition to physical therapist assistant.  Topics included are trends, specialized practice, patient services, case studies integrating theory and practice, licensure issues, and the employment process.  Two lecture hours a week and 56 clock hours of clinical observation/participation.  In addition to class time, students will also participate in 7 daily clinical experiences.  Two of these daily experiences will be focused on pediatric services.  Five of the daily experiences will be located in a clinical setting.  Credit:  Three semester hours.

PTA 2243 -- Clinical Practicum II.  Prerequisites: PTA 2112, PTA 2126, PTA 2133, PTA 2144 and PTA 2152, PTA 2213, PTA 2222 and PTA 2234.  This course is clinical observation, application, and practice of physical therapy procedures under the direction and supervision of clinical faculty.  Knowledge from previous general education and PTA courses will be applied.  Location of clinical practicum will be assigned with transportation and housing being the responsibility of the student.  Six weeks (240 hours).  Credit:  Three semester hours. 

PTA 2253 -- Clinical Practicum III.  Prerequisites: PTA 2112, PTA 2126, PTA 2133, PTA 2144 and PTA 2152, PTA 2213, PTA 2222,  PTA 2234 and PTA 2243.  This course follows PTA 2243 and is continued clinical observation, application, and practice of physical therapy procedures under the direction and supervision of clinical faculty.  Knowledge from previous general education and PTA courses will be applied.  Location of clinical practicum will be assigned with transportation and housing being the responsibility of the student.  Six weeks (240 hours).  Credit:  Three semester hours.  Post-clinical seminar required.