Physical Therapist Assistant

Associate in Health Science
Credit Requirements: 78 Semester Credit Hours

The Physical Therapist Assistant program prepares students to implement physical therapy treatment procedures, including various types of exercise, rehabilitation techniques, electrical modalities and heat/cold modalities, designed and supervised by a registered physical therapist. Other responsibilities include clerical duties, record keeping and continuing education. The program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education. Graduates become licensed by passing the State Board exam.

Admission Requirements
Applicants will be admitted to this program on a first-qualified, first-admitted basis. Applicants are considered to be qualified for admission to the next available class when they meet all College and program requirements. Classes in this program begin Summer Term.

APPLICANTS MUST COMPLETE ALL OF THE FOLLOWING REQUIREMENTS
I. General College Admission Requirements
Achieve admission to the College by meeting TTC's requirements for associate degree programs. Please note that applicants not achieving appropriate test scores will be required to complete courses indicated by placement test scores. 

Note: Admission to the College does not guarantee admission to the Physical Therapist Assistant program.

II. Program Admission Requirements
Applicants should ensure that documentation of each of the following admission requirements is on file in the Admissions office as soon as it is completed. Information may be submitted in person or by mail to:

Trident Technical College
Admissions Office, AM-M
(Student Center, Bldg. 410, Room 110)
P.O. Box 118067
Charleston, SC  29423-8067

1. Achieve qualifying scores on the College's placement test, SAT or ACT. Contact an academic advisor and complete all courses indicated by placement test scores.
2. Complete an Allied Health application for the Physical Therapist Assistant program. NOTE: When the number of applicants qualifying at the same time exceeds the number of spaces available in this program, admission will be prioritized according to the date and time that the Allied Health application was received in the Admissions office.
3. Provide proof of high school graduation or equivalent by submitting a copy of your high school transcript, diploma or GED.
4. Provide proof that all general education courses (support courses) required in the Physical Therapist Assistant program have been completed with a minimum grade of C. Laboratory sciences and AHS 104 must have been completed within five years of admission date.    
5. Submit official copies of all college transcripts, other than TTC transcripts, to the Admissions office.
6. Submit to the Admissions office a completed volunteer/observation form documenting a minimum of 40 hours spent in a physical therapy facility. While all 40 hours may be completed in a hospital, it is preferred that the observation/volunteer hours be divided between hospital and nonhospital facilities, with a minimum of 20 hours in an acute care hospital. The applicant is responsible for arranging the observation/volunteer experience. 
7. Maintain a minimum cumulative 2.5 GPA and not be on academic or disciplinary suspension at the time of admission and date of entry into the program.  
8. At the time of entry to the program, show evidence of completion of the criminal background check required by the College.

III. General Admission Procedures for the Physical Therapist Assistant program
Prior to admission to the program, provide the TTC program coordinator with a completed, current Allied Health-Student Health Record. Applicants who meet College and program requirements will be considered qualified and will be admitted on a first-qualified, first-admitted basis. Qualified applicants will receive a letter indicating the year and semester that they have been admitted.

Note:  Falsification of any information submitted will make a student ineligible for admission to or continuation in the Physical Therapist Assistant program.

Readmission to a Program
Students who receive a W, D or F in a professional course may request consideration for readmission to the Physical Therapist Assistant program. Readmission to the program is not automatic. See the Allied Health Sciences overview.

Course Progression
To progress to the next Physical Therapist Assistant course, the student must complete all Physical Therapist Assistant courses with a grade of C or better. The student must earn a grade of satisfactory on the final professional development evaluation each semester of the program.

Note:  Students are responsible for transportation, meals and housing expenses during clinical rotations.

Recommended Sequence of Courses